Flu Vaccine for Uni Students ?

[Inanun2]

Hi, is anyone thinking of encouraging their uni student to go to boots etc to get a flu vaccine ? I have not seen much online about it but they can pay at a pharmacist to have it , I see UCL are encouraging all students to have it.

My dd has a bad needle phobia, for us we’ve encouraged her to get the Covid booster vaccine, she’s had a text from university doctors to say as she’s classified as vulnerable she will be offered the booster.

Ideally I would like her to have both the Flu and booster but the thought of having all these needles makes her incredibly anxious so we’ve said the Booster is really important.

Normally dad or mum take her, but her flat mates have offered to go with her as she does have a tendency to pass out, I think for her the thought is worse than the execution.

Oh no your poor DD, that’s a hard phobia.

DS2 had his (for free, as he's Group 6, Covid-jab-wise) last week when he came home for a few days. Our second-nearest branch of Boots can normally oblige with a same day appointment and the staff are really nice .

His text, reminding him that he was eligible and should book, arrived a couple of days later.

Yes I've paid for mine to get it.

My daughter has had it. Free for her as she is vulnerable but easily bookable at Boots for anyone wanting it.

I paid for both my DC (16 & 19) to have a flu vaccine. It's annoying that sixth form/uni students aren't being offered them this year though I appreciate that it's probably down to costs.

I took my 17yo D2 to Boots for her flu jab (£14.99) 12- 16yo were given their flu (nasal spray) and covid jabs at school, but not the sixth formers, annoyingly. I've been reminding D1 who is at university to go and get hers, either at Boots or if the university sets up a flu vaccine service themselves, to make sure she goes and gets it.

@eggsandwich- has your DD ever tried a numbing cream called emla, to stop any pain when having a vaccine/blood test? Its used for people with needle phobias, along with children having blood tests. You can buy it from larger pharmacies or order online in a tiny tube. You put a pea sized blob on, put a dressing over the top and its numb within the hour. (don't rub the cream in, let the blob absorb). The numbing lasts 4hrs. Brilliant for piercings also apparently.

@Inanun2- Has your child checked that their uni isn't offering flu vaccines onsite? I know LSE provided this for all students last year that wanted one- both on campus clinics and within their halls too.

Ours has it every year

Hairyfriend

Thanks for the information I’ll have a look into that, dd also almost passes out if she watches any films that are a bit graphic with blood involved which was a bit difficult when doing her A Level Film Studies she had to watch different films from the rest of the class.