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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

So they tell you to get the flu jab but there are none left here!

26 replies

snowangels1 · 22/12/2010 07:48

Apparently all pg women are being offered the flu jab as standard this year (which btw no mw/GP etc has actually told me or offered me). I ask my mw who I should contact to get it done (ie hospital/GP) and tells me it has to be done via GP. Ring GP to find out they've run out of flu jabs and I have to keep ringing back after christmas until they get some more in (they don't know when it will be though).

Hmm, surely they knew I was pg so a) should have offered it to me when they initially did the 'call up' for vulnerable people (DH has asthma and he got a letter months ago telling hime when to go for one) and b) should have an idea how many at risk people they have on their books to order sufficient stocks.

Apparemtly this is a problem in a number of GP surgeries in my area (and probably others too), and it's not like we can go out and pay for one either.

So just a warning if you want to get one but haven't got around to booking it - ring your GP ASAP before they run out!!

OP posts:

Furball · 22/12/2010 08:47

I think you can buy the jab from large chemists? they are £13 but if you are worried it may be money well spent?

Deliaskis · 22/12/2010 09:07

It's very frustrating, my Drs only had one one hour slot for doing flu jabs, which was yesterday between 12 and 1, but they only told me this at 5pm Monday when I had no chance of making arrangements to be available at that time. So I want it, and can't get it either.

Furball, chemists, Tescos, Boots etc. are doing flu jabs but not for pg women.

jinglebellssantasmells · 22/12/2010 09:13

hey i had exactly the same problem, they have sed they will right me a prescription to bick up my own flu jab from chemist and take it back to them, not exactly ideal when u are pg and have a toddler hey ho

Original poster

snowangels1 · 22/12/2010 10:08

at least you're getting one though jinglebells - I didn't know they could do it that way. I was just told flatly couldn't have it until they got next stocks in. Just hope I don't get flu in the mean time...

OP posts:

jinglebellssantasmells · 22/12/2010 11:15

u shud ring them up and ask about getting a prescription

RockLovesMincePies · 22/12/2010 11:37

I am 35 weeks pregnant and have not been offered a flu jab by my mw or surgery. Should I ask for one, is it really that important?

I hardly ever get colds, let alone flu. I haven't had flu for at least 7 years!

Deliaskis · 22/12/2010 11:44

RLMP if you want it you should ask for it, they are saying it is important for pregnant women. I hadn't been offered it and nobody had mentioned it to me either. I raised it with mw on Monday and she said they are recommending it, but obviously by stealth as I was about to leave before I asked and she hadn't mentioned it!

I was in two minds about it for a long time, as I never get colds or flu either, but your immune system is quite adversely affected by pregnancy so likelihood of you getting ill is much higher.

So I am now trying to get it, but can't.

You don't HAVE to have it, but better to read up and make a conscious decision either way, rather than just not getting around to it/not bothering IYSWIM.

Original poster

snowangels1 · 22/12/2010 12:07

Hey RL - how are you now? Have been thinking of how you're getting along.

I don't often get flu either (although have had it in the past) but I don't want to risk anything and you really are very ill when you get proper flu and I've read alot of scary stories about late losses of babies from mothers getting flu - might be worth looking in to. FWIW no one mentioned to me I could/should have it either and I do feel a bit at NHS as they say it should be offered to all pg women, so why not at the start of the season just get mws to mention this to all pg people at their apts - wouldn't cost much money to send a memo or sth out to get them to do that surely

OP posts:

FindingAManger · 22/12/2010 12:11

I've seen my Doctors & MW several times since being PG - never once was a flu jab mentioned or offered. But thankfully I was quickly offered an appt when I asked at my GP's. Good luck with getting one asap.

I think most PG women would know the flu jab is available to them as it's been very well covered by the media for months now - just ask!

Deliaskis · 22/12/2010 12:13

You're right angels, it seems like all the media coverage has prompted lots of us (including me) to go and get it, only to find there is none available, we can't get appointments due to Christmas/weather etc. or they have run several walk-in vaccination clinics back in October/November but no more now. And my MW only told me to get it after I had asked, no indication earlier on that I should get it at all. Why not mention it at the booking appointment if it's so important?

I just read the webchat with Prof David Salisbury from Monday, about the vaccine, and he said that the flu season is usually 7ish weeks (although could of course go on longer), and we are about 3 weeks into it, and as the vaccine takes up to 10 days to provide protection, we should really all have been vaccinated about 5-6 weeks ago at least. (NB please don't read this to mean I don't think it's worth getting it now, just that I feel a bit silly for only now trying to get it).

There's no 'joined-up thinking' going on.

wigglesrock · 22/12/2010 13:26

waves to D and Angels Here in NI we got a leaflet at 10 week booking appt re flu jab. It wasn't mentioned at subsequent appts, but I mentioned it to midwife at28 week appt and that's how I got it. The midwives at health centre and hospital were very non-commital when I asked for some advice (you'll get terrible splinters in your arse if you keep sitting on that fence!)

I also had to sign a million forms before they would do it. As you know from Feb 2011 thread my sister was hospitalised with the flu on Fri night and although she is on the mend, it was really frightening.

Original poster

snowangels1 · 22/12/2010 13:34

OP posts:

JumpJockey · 22/12/2010 13:38

Re Boots, apparently they will do it if you can get your doc to write a letter explaining that they don't have any and are happy for you to pay for it in order to get done.

Obviously it should have been done earlier, I've only just had mine at 32 weeks thanks to asking specifically, but it is still possible.

Deliaskis · 22/12/2010 13:56

JumpJockey that is interesting, if I can't get an apt to get it done at Drs, maybe I can get a letter.

And waves back at wiggles and angels (both now off work whilst I still have 3 hrs 5 mins to go)!

Mahraih · 22/12/2010 14:43

Nobody has ever recommended it to me - out of two hospitals, 4 midwives and 2 GPs. I recently had my first antenatal class and don't think the midwife would have mentioned it if another mother hadn't brought it up.

Clearly the 'recommendations' aren't being made public!

I had mine a couple of months ago, and even then they had run out and were waiting for another delivery. Be persistant, refuse to take no for an answer, remind them that it's recommended etc.

Sidge · 22/12/2010 15:35

If they have no vaccine left, ask for it on prescription and make an appointment for the nurse to give it to you.

There will be no cost to you as you get free prescriptions in pregnancy.

FindingAManger · 23/12/2010 10:10

So on the news last night it was reported that the flu jab uptake has been shockingly low & well beyond expectations!!! I thought of this thread & laughed/scoffed at the report!! Where are all the flu jabs hiding then???

Original poster

snowangels1 · 23/12/2010 10:35

I'm with you finding!

OP posts:

Deliaskis · 23/12/2010 11:48

Just got mine done by the practice nurse at my GP surgery.

discobeaver · 23/12/2010 11:59

My docs said they had run out, so they got a prescription for me and I got it this morning, so ask for them to get it for you on precription, which will be free for you.

Original poster

snowangels1 · 23/12/2010 12:04

well done delia - I'm so glad you got it. Over here my surgery remains rude (don't get me started on the telephonists there) and of the school that I have to wait until they get stocks in.

OP posts:

discobeaver · 23/12/2010 12:08

Sorry to hear that snowangel - my dp is always saying doctor's receptionists are hell's getekeepers!

Deliaskis · 23/12/2010 12:17

Oooh angels there's nothing makes me madder than Drs receptionists who like to think they hold your health in their hands.

I was pleased to get it done, but when I saw the cabinet full of flu vaccine I was tempted to stage the healthcare equivalent of a bank robbery and post them all out to you lot! It was only the thought of my SPD slowing me down that stopped me as I knew I wouldn't be able to stage a very convincing getaway.

Original poster

snowangels1 · 23/12/2010 12:19

at the thought of a heavily pregnant lady with SPD attempting to outrun the entire Doctors surgery staff with a handful of flu jabs under her arm

OP posts:

Deliaskis · 23/12/2010 12:52

Yeah, it was a pipe dream really!

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