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

What is the logic in pushing back the school flu vaccines until January, as is the case locally? Surely that's a bit late?

I've had my booster jab and am getting my flu jab next week, and my son has had his. Does my husband need a flu jab if he still works from home and we're all jabbed already?

Myself, partner and 4 year old have all been vaccinated against flu but how do I best protect my 8 month old who seems to pick up everything?

Also, myself and partner are due our covid booster, are we safe to have a different vaccine if it is offered? Our first two were Astrazenica but we gave heard it is only Pfizer at our surgery.

Thanks :)

Is it more likely than usual that the flu jab might not be as effective because differing strains might take root to the ones the jab protects because of the lack of flu last year? Not anti vaccine at all (I’ve got my vaccine booked for later this month 👍🏻) I’m just genuinely interested as I know sometimes the wrong strains are picked for the vaccine as it’s a bit of guesswork.

What if anything is the difference between the nasal spray and the injection? 15yo DD and I both had injections via GP, but the team coming to her school will be doing the nasal sprays.

My son doesn't get his flu nasal spray until December or even later. I understand it takes 2 weeks to develop immunity, surely flu is already around by then and it's too late?

If you have a cold or a temperature is it safe to have the jab?

I'm expecting to have my flu jag and covid booster at the same time. Am I more likely to get side effects than if I had them separately?

My youngest has a permanent cold every winter. Will the nasal spray work if given to a child with a snotty nose?

Flu vaccinations at my son's school have been delayed until January. Is this likely to make a big difference to his risk of catching it - is there a point when it's so late in the season it's not worth having?

I had the third vaccine, when will the fourth one be rolled out and am I safer to mix as I am clinically vulnerable

Are you protected straight away?

Will I ever get offered a covid booster? I am in my 40s and have no underlying health conditions. Next month it'll be 6 months since my second dose so I'm a bit concerned about the benefits of the vaccines wearing off before Jan/Feb/Mar 2022. Thanks

If there's been no flu season in Australia how have they judged which strains to put in the flu vaccine?

Do you think covid boosters will eventually be extended to all age groups?

Is having both the flu jab and covid together too much together? I have only just got over having covid so waiting 30 days had having both together feels risky?

Where is the very best place to find out what vaccines we are eligible for? Have gone round in circles previously between GP practice and 119 who don't seem to have the latest information on who qualifies for what based on vulnerable household members etc. Would love to see more being done to show how vaccines work in terms of protecting the whole population when people choose to get vaccinated as that message seems to have been lost with COVID. Vaccines work in terms of protecting others as they have done for all other vaccines that we routinely have but many seem to be thinking selfishly of themselves only when opting out of vaccines for covid and flu and I think some of that stems from a lack of understanding about how vaccines work on a whole population level and to help protect those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons too and those too young to qualify for certain vaccines at the moment.

All those health and social care workers who had their vaccines 'early' due to their job- what happens if they no longer work in care but are 7-8+ months post vaccination? Are they eligible for a booster?

If i have a seasonal cold, should i avoid having either or both of these jabs until it is clear?

My 16 year old had covid in the summer. Are there any additional risks in them getting the vaccine and do the risks of getting the vaccine outweigh the benefits (for those individual circumstances and for that age group generally) ?

I'm newly pregnant and was told I should probably have a booster shot for the vaccine and also the flu jab...will these both be ok for my pregnancy? thank you x

Can you insist on having AstraZeneca if you had first two jabs from AZ?

Is it true the flu vaccine is only around 50% effective?

I am 6 months past my second Covid jab (2x Pfizer) but not yet eligible for a booster in the country where I had my first two jabs. They are only doing over 65s but I am at higher but not the highest risk of Covid complications. I could possibly get a booster somewhere else. To help me make the decision, how much does my immunity drop approximately after 7 or 8 months? (Wherever I go I will be covered by health insurance.)

I'm concerned about reconciling jabs from two countries on my Covid Pass. Will this become simpler over time?

Can getting these vaccine effect your immune system and make you more prone to getting infections

My understanding is that as 30 something with no underlying health conditions or caring responsibilities to anyone vulnerable I will not be offered a booster or flu jab. Would you reccomend getting either? Can I get them privately?
Ps Farzana is a beautiful name, same name as girl the year above me at school and I have always liked it.