Do you have questions about winter vaccinations for flu and Covid-19? - £200 voucher to be won

[CeriMumsnet]

Created for the Department of Health

THIS Q&A IS NOW CLOSED FOR QUESTIONS. SEE DR. FARZANA'S ANSWERS FROM PAGE 6

According to the NHS, we are expecting to have a bad flu season this year, especially compared to the very mild season we experienced in 2020/21. This has led to lower immunity amongst the population. GP and mum of two Dr Farzana Hussain is here to answer your questions about getting vaccinated for flu and COVID-19 this winter.

• Everyone who shares a question below by 12 November will be eligible for a prize draw
• One lucky Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher from a store of their choice
• Dr Farzana will be back online next week to answer a selection of your questions.

About Dr Farzana

Dr Farzana Hussain is an NHS GP with 20 years’ experience and mum of two teenagers. She is Clinical Director of a Primary Care Network and won GP of the year in 2019.

Here’s what the Department of Health has to say

'Getting vaccinated this winter is so important as we continue to mix with family and friends in the run up to the festive period. We know that vaccines are our way out of the pandemic, so we are urging everyone that’s eligible to get their winter vaccines when called, whether that’s your first, second or booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or flu, for the best possible protection – for you and your loved ones'

Do you have questions about the benefits of getting you and your family vaccinated for flu this winter? Would you like to know more about the current COVID-19 vaccination advice for children? Whatever your questions, post on this thread for Dr Farzana to answer.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ
Mumsnet Insight T&Cs apply

[NameChange2PostThis]

Can my 16 year old (year12) get a free flu vaccination at a pharmacy or will it be private? If so can he have an injection or does he need to have the inhaled kids vaccine?

[NameChange2PostThis]

When will my 16 year old be offered his second covid vaccination? Will it be within the 12 week window? If not, does that mean any next vaccination will be another first for both medical and travel/legal requirements? How long a gap between vaccine doses before the second dose no longer counts as a second dose but is a repeated first dose?

[FourteenSixteenTwentyTwo]

I understand that the Covid vaccination has become compulsory is many care homes (our LA deem in compulsory), but flu never has been. Do you think it would make a difference to residents if employers changed their requirement and made both flu and the booster compulsory?

[BuggertheTabloids]

Why does my booster not show on the NHS app ie on my COVID pass?
My 12 year old has had his first dose - why is there no electronic record/QR code for this age group? They need it especially when they are eventually offered the second dose so this is required.
When will the second dose for teenagers be approved - we are behind Europe on this.

[Kite22]

Is there a recommended time gap to leave between flu jab and COVID booster?

[JustSinginInTheRain]

Won't everyone need a third booster after six months? And then an annual booster.

Surely if under 50s don't get a third jab too, covid will spread in 2022 and future years?

[billybear]

i have had my fle jab, but got to wait 2 more weeks for my booster jab.is there much risk in waiting .keep hearing we can get it NOW ,but when i tried on line it said not yet,i have health issues

[MonetManet]

I read about a study that said it’s safe to do both jabs at the same time, but it didn’t mention if the study included immunocompromised people or pregnant women, is it safe for them also?

[MakeTeaNotWar]

I had covid a month ago. Am I better to capitalise on natural immunity and delay the booster?

[namenomnombre]

Will my flu jab protect my breastfed baby too?

[buckley1983]

Similar question to others - I'm wondering if there is any minimum time I need to wait before having the flu jab & the covid booster - ? Thanks :)

[TrevorFountain]

Have the pressures of the covid pandemic and creaking government computer systems* affected your sense of work satisfaction?

*Not being able to differentiate between the 3rd primary vaccine for immune suppressed and the general booster on the recording system springs to mind, plus having to identify all your immune compromised patients as per the JCVI list

[CinemaPantomime]

I had my flu vaccine and was offered the Covid booster straight after which I accepted.
Was the flu vaccine I had, the same thing as my children have up their nose? Why do children get it nasally and adults by needle?

[WineAndMassage]

Can you choose the COVID-19 booster option?

[SearchingTheSkies]

Hi, how long does the flu jab protect you for? Is it the whole year until the next jab?

[sashh]

Why does it have to be 6 months between the second jab and the booster?

[Igmum]

Should flu and COVID jabs be separated out? Surely it is safer to leave at least a week between them

[TheDeckchairGardener]

I have paid for a flu vaccine this year but have to wait until next year for my COVID booster.

My question relates to needles. Some vaccinations I have had did not hurt (in fact I barely felt my first COVID vaccine) but some did. Is this dependant on whether the needle penetrates muscle or fat? I have read that for maximum efficacy, the vaccine needs to be administered into muscle so considering the level of obesity, do you think longer needles should be used? (I am overweight myself which is why I am interested).
Thanks.

[NotMyCat]

@MonetManet

I read about a study that said it’s safe to do both jabs at the same time, but it didn’t mention if the study included immunocompromised people or pregnant women, is it safe for them also?

I'm immunocompromised and had them 12hrs apart!

[Justmuddlingalong]

I am due my booster in a few weeks. The 1st and 2nd doses were AZ, but I understand that this won't be the case for the booster. Will I have the same, less or more cover when vaccines are mixed like this?

[Theforest]

My sons primary school isn't getting flu vaccinations until mid January. That's a long time when usually has them in November. Will GP surgery will give them?

[Time2getSerious]

Given that the flu vaccine is supposed to help in the defense against covid severity. Within schools, with some children not having received a covid vaccine yet and/or waiting until January for the flu vaccine, should parents be concerned with the flu vaccine delay? We already know the outcome in adults can be worse if they catch both viruses at the same time. We do not yet know what the affect will be on children catching both at once, but surely the government has known for months that this year they would need substantially more vaccines than last year. Why didn’t they ramp up production and increase staff availability for the roll out of all these promised vaccines?

[Olinguito]

What is the difference between the Covid booster vaccine and the vaccine used for first/second jabs. Is it a smaller dose?

Also if Pfizer is given for the booster, is there any difference in its efficacy depending on whether the first/second jab given was Pfizer or Astra Zeneca?

[AudTheDeepMinded]

My son (9) is asthmatic. The local health service are busy delivering covid boosters so have not been in to deliver flu vaccines in school. Does he have to wait for them or can I book him one somewhere?

[sharond101]

Why do I always get a cold after vaccination?