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Original poster

Are you getting a private ‘flu vaccination?

70 replies

MinnieMountain · 18/09/2021 07:06

Talking to a friend the other day who works in medical research- she gets a flu vaccination every year.

I’ve never bothered before but with warnings of a “bad” Winter flu season it’s got me wondering if I should.

OP posts:
DarlingCoffee · 18/09/2021 07:36

My work are offering it so I will be

Orangejuicemarathoner · 18/09/2021 07:39

I always do. Why wouldn't you? protect yourself, protect the people you are in contact with , protect the NHS and be fair to your employer. All for £12. Even when I was skint, it was always a top priority

WillaWeatherspoon · 18/09/2021 07:40

I always do after having a fairly horrible bout of flu about ten years ago. Haven't booked it yet so thankyou for the reminder OP!

DaxtheDestroyer · 18/09/2021 07:41

Yes, I do every year. I had pneumonia a number of years ago and was wiped out for a good month. Any time I get what should be a mild cold, I get hit really hard now so I do anything I can to protect myself.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 18/09/2021 07:42

Yes, having it this week. It's worth the money imo. Mine was £15 as the location was most convenient. Last year I went to Asda and it was about £8

CuckooCuckooClock · 18/09/2021 07:43

Yes. Every year since I had flu when I was19. If I can avoid that experience again I would like to try.

piglet81 · 18/09/2021 07:48

Yup, booked in at boots next week. Also nagging DH to get one (he’s eligible for a freebie because of a medical condition but I know he won’t bother of his own accord).

My friend who’s an a&e nurse says they’re expecting an awful winter…

Piggy42 · 18/09/2021 07:49

I have booked one this year.

EllieFredrickson · 18/09/2021 07:52

Yes - have got one for years, but especially important this year. Got mine Monday. Have made sure DD (21)and at uni has, also booked. We need to do all we can to help ease NHS pressures this winter.

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 18/09/2021 07:54

Yes, ever since I got swine flu in 2010.

daisypond · 18/09/2021 07:56

Do the details end up in your medical records? I’ve only ever had one at the GP, so I’m curious how the private ones work.

BetterthanIthink · 18/09/2021 07:58

Yep, myself and husband had ours yesterday . We both had flu a couple of years back and have paid for a flu jab ever since.

LubaLuca · 18/09/2021 07:59

I'm getting it done privately for the first time this year, because my doctor hasn't been able to get any of the vaccine! They'd sent me an appointment for today in their first mass flu vaccination session of the season, but they had to call everyone last week and cancel.

I'm getting it at Boots this afternoon, free through work.

saraclara · 18/09/2021 08:00

£9 at Tesco last year. I've been getting them there for years. Doesn't occur to me to call it 'private'!

Of course you should. Everyone should get it this year if they possibly can. I'm desperate for mine and the country's life to be as close to normal as possible. I can't do another Christmas without my family.

UnmentionedElephantDildo · 18/09/2021 08:01

@daisypond

Do the details end up in your medical records? I’ve only ever had one at the GP, so I’m curious how the private ones work.
Yes, in theory (though I know they don't always make it across)

You need to fill in a form at the pharmacy, including NHS number if you know it, so the jab can be married up with your records (can be done on just basis of name and dob if you don't know). This is essential if you are claiming free NHS jab at a participating pharmacy (check eligibility) and desirable if you're paying (in case they need to trace via batch number)

BetterthanIthink · 18/09/2021 08:01

@daisypond

Do the details end up in your medical records? I’ve only ever had one at the GP, so I’m curious how the private ones work.
I presume so as they asked which drs I was registered with yesterday.
Boofay · 18/09/2021 08:01

As a self employed person I've been getting annual flu vaccinations for years. I'm happy to pay a tiny price to protect myself from a nasty illness.
I had flu when I was 16 and it was miserable.
Having the vaccine also protects those around you, so why wouldn't you for anywhere between £7 and £19?

RobinPenguins · 18/09/2021 08:03

I did last year for the first time. I was going to again this year but keeping hearing there’s a shortage? If there’s limited supply I’d rather they went to people who need them more (selfishly - keep them out of hospital so there’s no excuse for more lockdowns).

astoundedgoat · 18/09/2021 08:03

God yes. I’m surprised they’re not free and recommended for the whole population. So many easily preventable deaths.

I’d pair it with the covid boosters, if I was the govt.

Original poster
MinnieMountain · 18/09/2021 08:03

I’ve only had flu once as a teenager, so it’s not something I think about generally (42 and no health conditions).

I shall make sure I get into the habit.

OP posts:
marieantoinehairnet · 18/09/2021 08:04

Yes, at the pharmacy every year... because by the time my GP gets round to notifying it's almost new year, which is pointless

LubaLuca · 18/09/2021 08:05

Doesn't occur to me to call it 'private'!

I suppose it depends on if you can get it done on the NHS or not. It's strange for me to think that this is a service people can pay for, because I just get called for it by the GP. It's definitely an NHS service to me, and paying for it in Boots is odd. But here I am, letting my company pay for me to jump the queue. I've gone private - I've made it, Ma!

BeyondMyWits · 18/09/2021 08:05

If there is a shortage and doctors surgeries cannot get hold of enough for the vulnerable who really need it, then perhaps we payers should wait til those who need it more have it done.

kimlo · 18/09/2021 08:07

I get an nhs one. If I didn't work will pay for one.

If I didn't have those two options I would pay for my own. I had flu, it was awful.

marieantoinehairnet · 18/09/2021 08:08

@BeyondMyWits

If there is a shortage and doctors surgeries cannot get hold of enough for the vulnerable who really need it, then perhaps we payers should wait til those who need it more have it done.
Flu is indiscriminate, there's no shortage, just a woefully disorganised government snd NHS, if you can get it, get it now