Are you getting a private ‘flu vaccination?

[MinnieMountain]

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.

I never bothered with it until 2009 when I caught swine flu. It was the worst experience of my life. Once you’ve had flu you’ll never want to miss a vaccine again

@CrimeJunkie01

I took all my kids and myself off to Boots yesterday to have ours. I do the same every year. It's well worth the £45 (I get mine free). I always book for the earliest appointment I can get and drag the kids along with me. After having flu once I decided to never have it again if I can possibly help it. Plus last year you had to have 30 days from flu jab to COVID jab and so I figure the earlier I have the flu jab, the sooner I can have my booster.

When you say kids, how old are they, do they do under 16s?

I have mine today, work paying.

I have mine done privately every year, it’s only about a tenner and I can claim back the expense through work. I don’t know why more people don’t do it.

I've never had a flu jab or flu yet. Contemplating it this year but a bit wary as will probably get a covid booster around the same time which puts me off a bit.

Yes, I always pay for one at the local pharmacy. I just hate having to take care of my kids when I'm ill so it's to mitigate the risk!

Yes I used to do it every year and money was tight. Now I fall under the criteria for having a free one.

Yea. Always do

Getting u18s done at a pharmacy has become easier than it was a few years ago, but it can still be quite hard to find one that does u16s (try the big branches of Boots or Superdrug, or small independent pharmacies, as those are the places where you are most likely to find vaccinators with the full qualifications to immunise children)

If u18 then in theory they should get the sniff, and this year there is going to be a big extension into secondary schools, so arguable you won't need to take DC to a pharmacy at all.

If there are medical needs for injectable (not sniff) or to be done asap (before schools programme gets going) then DC should be offered jab via GP

NB: this is my experience of having gone through this as parent of qualifying teens over last several years. Very happy to be corrected if I've either misunderstood what went on, or have had incorrect/idiosyncratic experiences!

I’ve had the flu twice. Once without a vaccine and it was horrific. Once with and it was manageable, like a bad cold. The night sweats were the worst part. The first time without the vaccine, I couldn’t get up except to use the loo for days.

Yes I am going next week for mine at boots, my dc had flu 3 years ago was awful then passed it onto me. So 100% been paying to have it since.

@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 if the chemist sends us the details, which they should. The problem is the ones that have it at work.

@RobinPenguins

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).

There is no shortage of jabs, just a shortage of drivers to get them to us. We had to cancel our first clinic today. Should have them by next week.

I once had flu . DC were about 7/9. I was so ill I couldn't even get meals for them let alone take them to school. I was early 40s and healthy and I remember thinking " now I know why some people can die of flu".
Had a flu jab ever since.

Yes. I work for the NHS but am paying for an earlier private one this year. I do not want to be ill and covid is quite enough to worry about!

Yes just booked mine.

@GoodnightGrandma

My DS goes to Boots. He just fills out a form stating that he has asthma and gets it free.

Asthma is not an indication to have a free flu jab, only if you are on a steroid inhaler and have asthma.

Some asthmatics are not on steroid inhalers but relievers only.

my work has offered them free thisyear and last year but paid myself for it in 2019
mine is already booked for next week

I'll be getting one through work.

Yes, I had mine on Tuesday. I had flu 2 years ago and it made my asthma much worse. I am needle phobic but as I braved the covid jab I decided I would definitely have a flu jab this year.