Flu vaccine

[Thegrassroots26]

So I’ve just had a horrible virus (who knows what but lasting for weeks on end)

I don’t fit any of the qualifying groups for a vaccine against flu. Despite working in a school and being exposed to germs constantly we get given a voucher at the end of November.

I’ve been calling around to see if I can pay for one but every pharmacy says they’ve run out of vaccines. Is it any wonder the NHS can’t cope when we don’t even offer vaccines when people are willing to pay for them? Or am I missing something? One lady I spoke to almost implied I’m too late and everyone is done in October?

Just feel like I’ve been hit by a couple of buses and can’t afford to be this ill for this length of time frankly.

Any advice from those who know a bit more about this?

Is it any wonder the NHS can’t cope when we don’t even offer vaccines when people are willing to pay for them?

The pharmacies don’t now want to order stock they will be left with that they’ve paid for, but are you seriously expecting surgeries to

a) install tills
b) till train staff
c) organise floats, when they don’t generally deal with cash
d) hire extra staff to deal with all this

not to mention they have to vaccinate a couple of thousand vulnerable patients along side offering their usual services, with many staff having to work additional hours, mostly on a Saturday (their day off!) to get their actual patients vaccinated.

Who would pay for the additional staff needed to deal with taking the bookings and the staff to vaccinate people who weren’t vulnerable and wanted the vaccine, or do you think they just shut down regular services to offer this?
Who would pay for the extra fridges needed to hold all this extra stock?
What if they don’t have the space to store these extra fridges? We definitely don’t, it’s been a nightmare trying to fit an extra fridge in for the Covid vaccines along side the flu/pneumonia/shingles/childhood imms/travel vaccs etc.

They are available from September. If you are happy to pay, just book early next September. I’m sorry you are so poorly, and I hope you feel better soon, but pushing this onto primary care isn’t the answer, that’s why pharmacies offer it.

Boots still does flu jab around here but recommend October/early November. You need to book an appointment.

I had mine two days ago at local independent pharmacy. Just walked in, no appointment needed.

Flu season starts September/October, so you’re a bit late.

You are very late. I'm not surprised places have run out of vaccine now. As the vaccine is adapted each year to the circulating virus they won't want lots left.

Hmmm that’s what I suspected. So my workplace providing a voucher at the end of November is pretty unhelpful.
I will pay next year then Sept/Oct.
thanks

I'm in the same boat OP! Had no idea you could only get them so early on in the season.

Not good is it? This has really caught me out, not been so ill in my life I think as with this. Will definitely be paying for one going forward, I can’t afford to get this ill for this long… bloody brutal and feels never ending. Just hope I don’t end up with chronic fatigue or something 😞

Yes I've had this respiratory virus too, it is a lingerer! Not sure if you can even have the flu vaccine if you already have a virus, so you may not have been able to have it anyway - I know that's the case with covid.