Is anyone getting a private flu immunisation for their baby?

[doireallyneedaname]

I believe the NHS only offer it after 2 years of age due to funding, unless baby is vulnerable, even though flu is dangerous for all babies.

The official recommendation is all persons over 6 months should receive an annual flu vaccine, and in many other countries it’s routine.

I don’t know anyone doing this personally, but I feel like it’s an obvious thing to do.

Anyone?

Most places in my area have suspended flu jab booking due to a shortage of them.

Yes we are. Privately. Local places like Superdrug and Lloyd’s appear to have run out of stock so we’re using corporate family medical coverage. Making the decision for us was easy but for a 7 month old it seemed odd which is weird but when thought about it made sense.

My baby falls into the vulnerable category so got it through the nhs

Just a heads up if u do get it privately, is that the first time they have it they have to have a booster 4 weeks later (look up nice guidelines. I didn't realised after the first and had to ring the surgery back and get the 2nd booked)

I didn't realise you could get it privately for children. I would have got it if I'd known. A friend's healthy, happy 19 month old died from flu so although that's rare, it really can be dangerous for little ones.

I've been trying but can't find anywhere that will do it locally, where are these magical places?

My dd is older now and gets the nasal spray at school, but when she was younger we paid for the private flu vaccination every year since she was a baby until she qualified to have it done on the NHS. Most pharmacies don't do under 12s/16s so you need to go to a private gp (which obviously costs more than a pharmacy). For anyone in/near London, we went to the fleet street clinic.

www.masta-travel-health.com/Booking/Flu

Any of the locations offered by MASTA suitable?

Thanks all. I must admit there is a part of me that is a bit scared to get him vaccinated, but I don’t know why. Perhaps because you just don’t hear of anybody doing it much in the UK!

@doireallyneedaname

Thanks all. I must admit there is a part of me that is a bit scared to get him vaccinated, but I don’t know why. Perhaps because you just don’t hear of anybody doing it much in the UK!

My baby didn't even cry! No reaction afterwards at all, not cranky, not sleepy, not even a temperature

I will for my baby next year (pregnant now). I didn't do it for my firstborn's first winter because I didn't think too but did when she was 1. I use a local private GP as the pharmacies won't vaccinate children round here.

@ParadeOfRemotes

www.masta-travel-health.com/Booking/Flu

Any of the locations offered by MASTA suitable?

Thanks for that but I can't search for places that offer it, when I tick influenza and go to the next step to find clinics it just gives an error message. Perhaps it's due to a stock shortage so I will keep checking.

I did consider it but I cannot find anywhere around here that offers it!

How annoying - I can get the search to work and there's

Harrogate
Leeds
Manchester
Bristol
Cambridge
Marleybone
Addlestone
Southampton Shirley
Southampton Bitterne

All too far away for me but maybe you could contact one directly to find out.

Thanks for that ParadeOfRemotes, sadly none are anywhere close to me. I wonder if Bupa would do them? I will keep looking.