Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Flu vaccine

13 replies

Neodymium · 26/09/2023 22:45

Hi,

we are travelling to Europe for 5 weeks over Xmas. Thinking our best protection for flu would be to get the flu vax when we arrive, as we can’t get the northern hemisphere vaccine here . How do you get your flu vaccines? In Australia can just go to the pharmacy and pay and they do it. Is that the same, or do we need to book a gp appointment?

OP posts:
Maddy70 · 26/09/2023 22:47

Where In Europe? I'm the ul you vampire pay at a pharmacy but other countries you can't

SuperfluousToRequirements · 26/09/2023 22:48

It takes up to two weeks for immunity to kick in, you won’t be eligible to get it at a GP surgery but larger pharmacies (boots, Superdrug) and some local ones offer it for around £15.

Original poster
Neodymium · 27/09/2023 04:31

Maddy70 · 26/09/2023 22:47

Where In Europe? I'm the ul you vampire pay at a pharmacy but other countries you can't

We are going to the Uk first.

OP posts:
Original poster
Neodymium · 27/09/2023 04:31

SuperfluousToRequirements · 26/09/2023 22:48

It takes up to two weeks for immunity to kick in, you won’t be eligible to get it at a GP surgery but larger pharmacies (boots, Superdrug) and some local ones offer it for around £15.

Yes I realise that but we are travelling for 5 weeks in total. Ideally we would have it before we go but we can’t get the northern hemisphere one here.

OP posts:
wishIwasonholiday10 · 27/09/2023 07:50

You can get it in pharmacies although some/most require you to book an appointment. Most people in the UK who are not in a vulnerable group and not offered it at work get it this way.

Sidge · 27/09/2023 08:11

You won’t be eligible to get it at a GP surgery so will need to pay to have it at a pharmacy.

Many pharmacies won’t do the children’s vaccine though.

Redwinestillfine · 27/09/2023 08:18

Most pharmacies do a walk in service but you are probably best booking somewhere like Boots the chemist.

Original poster
Neodymium · 27/09/2023 21:49

Sidge · 27/09/2023 08:11

You won’t be eligible to get it at a GP surgery so will need to pay to have it at a pharmacy.

Many pharmacies won’t do the children’s vaccine though.

Thanks, that’s good to know. The info on the gov website says that the northern hemisphere one is best when you arrive but if that’s not possible than can just get another of the southern one. So I will prob have to do that for the kids.

it’s mostly dh I am concerned about. His health is pretty bad, and I don’t want him getting the flu over there.

OP posts:
D1nopawus · 27/09/2023 22:06

Have you already had flu vaccines for Australian winter? If so, you would probably have some immunity.

If not private adult vaccines are easy to access via high street pharmacies. Many will also do children privately. They wouldn't necessarily have stock of nasal vaccine though so DC might need an injection.

Original poster
Neodymium · 28/09/2023 07:24

D1nopawus · 27/09/2023 22:06

Have you already had flu vaccines for Australian winter? If so, you would probably have some immunity.

If not private adult vaccines are easy to access via high street pharmacies. Many will also do children privately. They wouldn't necessarily have stock of nasal vaccine though so DC might need an injection.

Wow you have nasal ones? We only have injections.

yeh we all had our Aussie flu shots but we had them way back in may so they will be worn off by now.

I will chat with the gp, we might get our one again before we go and then we we arrive I’ll make dh get your one if it’s easy enough to do at the pharmacy. He’s the one I’m most worried about.

OP posts:
WildCountry · 28/09/2023 08:07

Yes, pretty much all children have the nasal vaccine at school. Not so much for themselves, but to stop a lot of flu spreading.

Original poster
Neodymium · 28/09/2023 21:32

That’s a great idea. We have other vaccines at school but not the flu. The flu shot isn’t gov funded here, unless you are under 5 or over 70, or have a medical condition. So for most people they have to pay. Unfortunately that means our vaccination levels are low. They did change it to free for while this year when the flu was really bad but just a one off.

OP posts:
D1nopawus · 28/09/2023 21:42

Just to explain a bit better. Children over the age of 2 are usually given a live flu vaccine via their nose.

Older adults and people with some medical conditions have an inactivated vaccine via injection.

Any children that cannot have live vaccine or who have an egg allergy can also have the injection.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page