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

[DrFarzana]

@Miralice

Do we already know if the flu vaccine this year is a good fit for the circulating strains?

Hi @Miralice
There are 4 strains of flu in the vaccine and they are based on the advice of the World Health Organization. It is too early to tell whether there is a good match between the circulating strains and what is in the vaccine as there isn't much flu circulating at the moment.

[DrFarzana]

@Marketa85

I am went to pharmacy for flu jab and was asked if I was allergic to eggs? Are people asked this? Are there eggs in the jab?

Hi @Marketa85
You may be at risk of an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine injection if you have an egg allergy. This is because some flu vaccines are made using eggs. A range of vaccines are available with very low egg protein content or that are made using egg-free processes. If you have concerns about egg allergy, you should speak to your GP, pharmacist, nurse or specialist about suitable vaccines.

[DrFarzana]

@lentilsforever

Is there a particular time of day best to have the flu jab for it to be most effective?

Hi @lentilsforever
No, the most important thing is to book an appointment for the flu vaccine if you are in one of the eligible groups, there isn’t evidence from studies to say a particular time makes a difference to effectiveness.

[DrFarzana]

@SmileyClare

Is it advisable for my husband to get the flu jab while he's still recovering from flu/a nasty virus he's had for two weeks?

Hi @SmileyClare He could wait until he has recovered. If it was given sooner it would be safe to have and would still make an immune response, but usual advice is to hold off until well. This is to avoid adding a sore arm or other typical side effects (like mild fever) to the symptoms from the viral infection.

[DrFarzana]

@NativityDreaming

I am not eligible for the free flu jab (under 50 and no health concerns). Both my children are being given the nasal spray at school. Is it really of any use to get the jab myself? I don’t really want to spend money on it.

Hi @NativityDreaming

The main purpose of the flu vaccination programme is to protect those most at risk from flu (such as older people, those with underlying health conditions and pregnant women). There is no recommendation for adults outside of the eligible groups to get the vaccine. It is offered to children to help prevent the spread of flu (although it does also help protect the children themselves).

[DrFarzana]

@CamQ

What is the predicted % effectiveness of the flu vaccine this season? How does that compare to previous years?

Hi @CamQ Vaccine effectiveness varies from year to year. It is too early to tell what the effectiveness will be this year. However, if you do get flu after having the vaccine it is less likely to be serious and you are less likely to end up in hospital.

[DrFarzana]

@plsbekind

Just wondering if there were zero flu cases last year because of COVID how can they predict a spike when most are now vaccinated? I'm confused, what's the medical reason for a spike in flu this year?
Also flu symptoms are similar to COVID so if vaccinated with Covid jabs then surely you're protected against flu?

Lastly, scientifically do we even know the damage these two vaccines could cause in your body together? It just all sounds abit false/risky to me and misleading, just keep getting man made substances injected into your body without understand the outcomes in the future.

Hi @plsbekind

Low levels of flu activity last year were the result of measures to stop COVID-19 – like face coverings and working from home – as these also stop flu. Few flu infections last winter means that there will be lower levels of population immunity now so more people may be susceptible to flu this year, and flu could rebound in a big way. The flu vaccination programme reduce flu circulation and directly protects those at risk of severe flu but doesn’t completely the stop circulation of flu. Flu and COVID-19 are completely different viruses, even if they have some similar symptoms, so they have different vaccines. These protect people from becoming seriously ill. Vaccines are thoroughly tested before being approved and are monitored for rare side effects.

[DrFarzana]

@erh099

I am breastfeeding.. will the vaccine pass through to my child?

Hi @erh099 and @kagerou

Women who are breastfeeding can safely have the flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster (if they are eligible). There is no plausible way by which any vaccine ingredient could pass to your baby through breast milk. Protective antibodies your body makes in response to the vaccines do pass through breast milk to baby.

[DrFarzana]

@Obakarama

I have never bothered to have the flu vaccine before. Maybe caught flu once. Is it different this year? Should I really have it, along with COVID booster?

Hi @Obakarama

Yes, even if you have had the flu before you should take your flu vaccine. There are lots of different strains of virus and that's why we have a new flu vaccine every year to protect ourselves. To find out if you’re eligible for COVID-19 booster or flu and book your jab visit //nhs.uk/wintervaccinations

[DrFarzana]

@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.

Hi @TheDeckchairGardener

How and where the vaccine is given and the equipment used can affect how painful a vaccination feels but there are other factors that affect it such as the composition of the vaccine (the ingredients and how acidic or alkaline it is).
Longer length needles are recommended for vaccination for individuals who have more fat covering their muscle in order to ensure that the vaccine is injected into muscle. This is because, for most vaccines, a better immune response is made if the vaccine is injected into muscle. It is recommended that vaccinators assess the area where they are going to give a vaccine and decide which length needle is required (unless the vaccine comes in a syringe with a needle already fixed to it).

[DrFarzana]

@sharond101

Why do I always get a cold after vaccination?

Hi @sharond101

After a vaccination, one of the side effects can be a fever. The cold may be coincidental as colds are common in the autumn/winter when we get our flu vaccines and are getting our covid booster vaccines. The side effects from vaccines are mild and usually last a day or two.

[DrFarzana]

@StandUnderMyUmbrella

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

Hi @StandUnderMyUmbrella You should wait till temperature symptoms go back to normal before having a jab but having a runny nose is fine so no reason to delay getting the jab you need this winter.

[DrFarzana]

@mandes1

I have Antiphosphilipid syndrome (which means I have sticky blood which is prone to clotting), Am I right in being hesitant in having the vaccine? would one of them be safer for me to have?

Thank you.

Hi @mandes1

Individual clinical advice is tricky over an internet forum and it is probably best discussed with your GP. There is some relevant advice for clinicians on gov.uk that was issued after a rare clotting condition was reported after first doses of AstraZeneca vaccine.
Information for healthcare professionals on blood clotting following COVID-19 vaccination - GOV.UK

[DrFarzana]

@lydia2021

I had the pneumonia jab many years ago. It's a one off jab from the g p. Why has there been no mention of this jab. As it affects the lungs, then surely it would help to stop
Covid in its tracks, if we catch Covid

Hi @lydia2021

The pneumonia vaccine only works against a particular bacteria that causes some (but not all) cases of pneumonia. It is called Streptococcus pneumoniae. Which is why it is easier to say “pneumonia vaccine”! The best defence against COVID-19 is the COVID-19 vaccine.

[DrFarzana]

@leafygarden42

Is it safe to have the covid booster and flu vaccine in the same arm at the same time??

I'm asking this on behalf of one of my patients who had this from his GP.

Hi @leafygarden42

It is absolutely safe to have both vaccines in the same arm at the same time. Some people prefer different arms but there is no danger in having them both in the same arm.

[DrFarzana]

@FuggyPidding

How long after testing positive for Covid do I have to wait before having any of the vaccines?
Thanks

Hi @FuggyPidding

Sorry to hear you have had COVID-19. You should wait 28 days from the date you found out you were positive for covid to have the covid booster vaccine. You can have the flu jab any time after you feel well from your illness.

[DrFarzana]

@biteysaurus

I have a 5 month old baby - other than having the flu jab myself & continuing to breastfeed, how can I best protect her during flu season?

Hi @biteysaurus

Simple measures include washing hands frequently and if you sneeze then do it in a tissue and bin the tissue - this will help stop the spread of the flu virus.

[DrFarzana]

@damnthisvirusandmarriage

When will everyone be offered booster? And should everyone get flu jab too?!

Hi @damnthisvirusandmarriage

Not everyone is offered a flu vaccine, but if you are in one of the eligible groups I would certainly recommend it. You can find out if you are eligible by visiting: //nhs.uk/wintervaccinations

[herecomesthsun]

I have an immunocompromised child 12-15 (on methotrexate) who has just had 2 vaccinations. Neither the GP nor the tertiary care consultant nor the vaccination service seems to know whether he is supposed to have a third vaccination (which would be in January). Each one tells us to talk to another bit of the service. The guidance doesn't seem to be very clear for them.

Is any further clarification on 3rd vaccinations planned? because it would be good to know whichever course of action is advisable.

On the plus side, I'm very grateful that he is now a bit more protected and am hoping that school disruption will settle down a lot more now that a good few of his classmates have started to get vaccinated as well.

[DrFarzana]

Hi everyone

As you may be aware there have been updates on guidance around the Covid-19 booster in the past week, in light of the new Omicron variant. For up to date advice you can visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination

Thanks
Dr Farzana

[Allisonsmith]

Just put our Christmas tree up so exited 🎄😁