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]

@ilovesooty

Will I be offered a booster vaccine every 6 months and will this be advised for ongoing protection?

HI @ilovesooty and @elizaco

There is still research being done on the frequency of booster vaccines for COVID-19.

[lentilsforever]

@DrFarzana

Any way your posts can be highlighted @CeriMumsnet

[HouseholdBubblesandEeeeek]

Hi @drfarzana thanks for your reply re children and flu jabs. What about sixth formers i.e. those aged 16-17? Your response suggests only those with long term health conditions are eligible. Is this right? I’ve looked on the website but the wording is exactly the same. Thanks.

[lentilsforever]

When is the prize draw @CeriMumsnet

[MercyBooth]

Why the media blackout on the shortage of Moderna and the fact that they now cant be mixed so some of us are unable to access our second vaccines.

[jeffersonsam]

I don't want to messed covid vaccination with flu vaccination. So right now, i don't want to put flu vaccination.

[CamQ]

I don’t know where Dr Farzana has gone, but don’t worry, you won’t have to receive flu and COVID vaccines on the same day if you don’t want to.
If you can’t arrange separate appointments ahead of time, just explain you give consent for only one of them on the day (your choice which one) and then make a follow up appointment for the other. They are always given in separate syringes, never mixed.

Only some NHS trusts are giving them on the same day so you may not be affected in any case.

[CeriMumsnet]

Hi all and thanks for your questions for Dr. Farzana

The winner of the prize draw is @Hopezibah - congratulations!

[DrFarzana]

@Dizzywizz

I get the flu vaccine due to having ms, and my children get it at school. Dh never has it as he never gets flu…as he is otherwise healthy and is only 40, is there a reason for him to get it?

HI @Dizzywizz The flu vaccine is offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of getting seriously ill from flu, including people like yourself with MS. Children are offered it to help protect them and because they catch and spread flu easily. Unless your husband has an underlying health condition, he isn’t in one of the eligible groups for the flu vaccine so has no need to get the flu jab.

[DrFarzana]

@DatingDisastrously

I've only had a flu vaccine in pregnancy. Never had flu and in mid forties. I'm a keyworker and had children at school throughout lockdowns. I don't feel any more at risk than in the past. I'm double vaccinated against Covid. I live a healthy lifestyle and just don't feel like I need a flu jab. What would you say to me to encourage me to have a flu vaccine?

Hi @DatingDisastrously. If you are under 50 and have no health conditions and are not health and care staff, then you do not qualify for a free NHS flu jab. But it's still important to practice simple measures this winter to stop you catching or spreading viruses - including washing hands frequently and if you sneeze then do it in a tissue and bin the tissue.

[DrFarzana]

@Florence08

If the flu vaccine is formulated on the strains of flu that were around last year, how has this year’s vaccine been formulated if there was very little flu around last year? Does this mean it will be less effective as it is more of a ‘guess’?

Hi @Florence08

Good question.While international coronavirus pandemic control measures reduced circulation of flu last year, there was still sufficient circulation to inform vaccine composition recommendations. Itreally is the best way to protect yourself from the virus this winterand I would urge you to book in for your flu jab as soon as possible.

[DrFarzana]

@JulesJules

Why are children at school only being offered the flu vaccine up to 16yo, no vaccine for years 12 and 13?

Hi @JulesJules! The vaccination of children is based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) who recommended vaccinating children up to the age of 16. The main purpose is to reduce flu spreading, as children catch and spread flu easily and may pass the virus on to others like family members who may be at higher risk from flu. It does also protect the children who receives the vaccine which is why it's particularly important that any child with an underlying health condition has the vaccine.

[DrFarzana]

@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?

Hi @NameChange2PostThis

As your son is in year 12 at school, he is not eligible for a flu vaccine on the NHS unless he has an underlying health condition so has no need to get the jab. Pharmacies offering the flu vaccine privately are only likely to offer the injectable vaccine, so consider this as part of your decision.

[DrFarzana]

@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?

Hi @CinemaPantomime
The nasal spray vaccine has been found to be most effective in children and is currently only licensed for children aged 2 to 17 years old. Unlike the adult injectable vaccine, the flu nasal spray is a live but weakened vaccine, which mimics natural infection, whereas the traditional vaccine is inactivated (or killed vaccine). The nasal spray flu vaccine is an easy, simple, painless way of vaccinating children against flu and is the easiest way to give the vaccine to children, who might often be afraid of needles.

[DrFarzana]

@SearchingTheSkies

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

Hi @SearchingTheSkies The flu vaccinationprogrammeis run annuallyto keep everyone’s immunity topped up. Thisalsoallowsfor annual modifications to match the strains circulating each yearto make sure the vaccine is as effective as possible at battling the virus. Vaccines are an effective way of managing infectious disease and we strongly recommend having the annual flu vaccine.

[DrFarzana]

@sarat1

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?

Hi @sarat1. Your husband is only eligible for a free flu jab is he has an underlying health condition or he is aged 50 or over.

[DrFarzana]

@Reastie

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.

Hi @Reastie - While COVID-19 restrictions reduced circulation of flu last year, there was still sufficient circulation to inform vaccine composition recommendations. It really is the best way to protect yourself from the virus this winter so it's great to hear you've got yours booked!

[DrFarzana]

@Stealthsquiggle

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.

Hi @Stealthsquiggle The nasal spray vaccine has been found to be most effective in children and is currently only licensed for children aged 2 to 17 years old. Unlike the adult injectable vaccine, the flu nasal spray is a live but weakened vaccine, which mimics natural infection, whereas the traditional vaccine is inactivated (or killed vaccine). There are some children for whom the nasal spray is not suitable for medical reasons. They are offered an injectable flu vaccine instead.

[DrFarzana]

@Donsav

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?

Hi @Donsav and @Bloatstoat

Because there are a large number of schools – and they have also been offering the COVID-19 vaccine to 12 to 15 year olds in school – some of the immunisation teams won’t reach the schools until later on. If your child has a long term condition that puts them more at risk from flu, you can ask their GP surgery to give the vaccine instead of having them having it at school if that is what you prefer. Vaccinating children in December still offers protection both to the children themselves and to the wider population through reduced transmission of flu.

[DrFarzana]

@yasmin0147

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

Hi @yasmin0147 If you have a minor illness such as a cold the vaccination can go ahead but if you have a fever the vaccination may be delayed until you are better.

[DrFarzana]

@Usuallyhappycamper

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

Hi @Usuallyhappycamper
The vaccination may be delayed if your child has a fever. Also, if a child has a heavily blocked or runny nose, it might stop the vaccine getting into their system. In this case, their flu vaccination can be postponed until their nasal symptoms have cleared up.

[DrFarzana]

@burwellmum

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

Hi @burwellmum While international coronavirus pandemic control measures reduced circulation of flu last year, there was still sufficient circulation to inform vaccine composition recommendations. Itreally is the best way to protect yourself from the virus this winterand I would urge you to book in for your flu jab as soon as possible.

[DrFarzana]

@Andoffwego

I’ve always wondered whether, if you get the flu vaccine every year, do you retain some immunity to each strain you are vaccinated against long term, or does immunity wane quickly?

Hi @Andoffwego Immunity to flu vaccines does wane between seasons which is one of the reasons why you need the vaccine every year.

[DrFarzana]

@apd237

I have never had a flu jab and never suffered from the flu - is there any real need to take the jab?

Hi @apd237 @KeyboardWorriers

People sometimes think a bad cold is flu, but having flu can often be much worse than a cold and you may need to stay in bed for a few days. Some people are more susceptible to the effects of flu. For them, it can increase the risk of developing more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia, or can make existing conditions worse. In the worst cases, flu can result in a stay in hospital, or even death. So, if you are eligible for the flu vaccine it really makes sense to have it.

[DrFarzana]

@Mads96

Why are sixth formers not getting the flu jab at school? And most GP surgeries aren't offering it them either.

Hi @Mads96 and @mrshoho

The vaccination of children is based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) who recommended vaccinating children up to the age of 16. The main purpose is to reduce flu spreading, as children catch and spread flu easily and may pass the virus on to others like family members who may be at higher risk from flu. It does also protect the children who receives the vaccine which is why it's particularly important that any child with an underlying health condition has the vaccine.