Flu Vaccinations
Discussion
WTF is going on with these? Did they not anticipate that demand this year might be somewhat higher than normal? Who is in charge of this stuff? I have one every year due to coming into contact with various folk as part of my job, plus I have two small kids in school and this year my wife is pregnant. I normally just go to Tesco and pay them £10, but this year it seems impossible to get them anywhere.
I booked one with Boots about a month ago, but they just called to cancel it as they don't have any stock. Why take bookings then?! t
ts
I have an employee whose mother works in a local pharmacy; they don't have any and don't know when they will.
I go to a private GP as the NHS one is s
te and even they don't have any! They said almost all stock is going to the NHS.
To top it off, my pregnant wife can't even get one. Midwives said phone the NHS GP surgery; aforementioned s
te one told her they're all going to the over 65s first. 

I booked one with Boots about a month ago, but they just called to cancel it as they don't have any stock. Why take bookings then?! t
tsI have an employee whose mother works in a local pharmacy; they don't have any and don't know when they will.
I go to a private GP as the NHS one is s
te and even they don't have any! They said almost all stock is going to the NHS.To top it off, my pregnant wife can't even get one. Midwives said phone the NHS GP surgery; aforementioned s
te one told her they're all going to the over 65s first. 

My father had his at GP last weekend - no issues, but he's pretty darn old at 87.
No requirement nor desire for me to have one as I'm 'just' 58.
NHS Flu Vaccs
No requirement nor desire for me to have one as I'm 'just' 58.
NHS Flu Vaccs
NHS Scotland started on Saturday in different locations, some are walk in others pre booked, it's not the lack of vaccines it's where you live...
And Boots? What do you expect.
PS I get the opportunity of one every year and decline it. I'm 67 now, had it once about 10 year ago, was ill for a few of days afterwards. Never again. They only protect against last years viruses not anything new as far as I understand and there's a lot of people declining this year due to isolating.
And Boots? What do you expect.
PS I get the opportunity of one every year and decline it. I'm 67 now, had it once about 10 year ago, was ill for a few of days afterwards. Never again. They only protect against last years viruses not anything new as far as I understand and there's a lot of people declining this year due to isolating.
My practice is sending out individual letters to vulnerable patients (I received mine on Saturday) inviting them to make timed appointments at 'flu clinics' (my appointment is 8:17 next Saturday) the reason being to avoid queues and the risk of Covid 19 transmission.
Different practices may have different policies, probably worth checking individual practice web sites.
ETA: from my practice's website
This year, the eligibility criteria for the free flu vaccine has changed. The following patients will be eligible:
- Adults 65 and over
- People with certain medical conditions (including children in at-risk groups from 6 months of age)
- Pregnant women
- People living with someone who’s at high risk from Coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list)
- Children aged 2-3 on 31st August 2020
- Children in Primary School
- Children in Year 7
- Frontline Health & Social Care Workers
So OP's wife should be able to get one.
Different practices may have different policies, probably worth checking individual practice web sites.
ETA: from my practice's website
This year, the eligibility criteria for the free flu vaccine has changed. The following patients will be eligible:
- Adults 65 and over
- People with certain medical conditions (including children in at-risk groups from 6 months of age)
- Pregnant women
- People living with someone who’s at high risk from Coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list)
- Children aged 2-3 on 31st August 2020
- Children in Primary School
- Children in Year 7
- Frontline Health & Social Care Workers
So OP's wife should be able to get one.
Edited by Riley Blue on Monday 28th September 20:40
Our regular pharmacy started doing flu jabs on sat morning on a 'first come' basis..Wife and I queued for about 20 mins at 8.30, only allowing two inside at a time.The pharmacy said they initially only had 50 doses and they were all gone by 10.A woman in front of us was refused because of her age, as at this stage the vaccine is only available for those over 65.
This vaccine is stronger than for people younger, which im told will be available from mid October.
This vaccine is stronger than for people younger, which im told will be available from mid October.
steveo3002 said:
they cant even get this right and yet folk are holding onto the belief that a a covid is around the corner and will save us all
How has it not been 'got right'? The flu season isn't upon us yet, it doesn't usually start until December and the vaccine takes 10-14 days to become effective so there's ample time for vaccines to be administered.Skyedriver said:
had it once about 10 year ago, was ill for a few of days afterwards. Never again. They only protect against last years viruses not anything new as far as I understand and there's a lot of people declining this year due to isolating.
One of the nurses at our GP practice told me last week that it's a myth that the flu vaccine can make you ill (in any way). She said that the way in which the vaccines are created, and work, make that impossible. What actually happens is that people are already incubating something when they go in for the jab, so when they then fall ill shortly afterwards they think it's the vaccine, but they would have got whatever they have anyway.I've no science to back that up, just what she said.
CAPP0 said:
Skyedriver said:
had it once about 10 year ago, was ill for a few of days afterwards. Never again. They only protect against last years viruses not anything new as far as I understand and there's a lot of people declining this year due to isolating.
One of the nurses at our GP practice told me last week that it's a myth that the flu vaccine can make you ill (in any way). She said that the way in which the vaccines are created, and work, make that impossible. What actually happens is that people are already incubating something when they go in for the jab, so when they then fall ill shortly afterwards they think it's the vaccine, but they would have got whatever they have anyway.I've no science to back that up, just what she said.
Vaccine is being ring-fenced so that those who are most vulnerable i.e. those over 65 and/or with a significant health condition putting them at risk receive the jab first. Assuming there are stocks left over, then additional groups of people e.g the over 50's would be invited. This is exactly as it should be. You might say "well there should be enough to go around for everybody that wants one" but even amongst those in the highest risk bracket, uptake (at my surgery) is only ever at about 60% so if the NHS bought in enough jabs for everybody that was eligible in October then a vast amount of vaccine - and taxpayers money - would end up flushed down the bog because lots of people would refuse to have it.
Got mine done last week as I have ashthma and I'm in my 50's. Letter came out early in September.
Miles better this year, get an appointment time, walk in through the fire door, injected. All done in 2 mins, no waiting inside.
Usually don't have mine until October, so my doctors are on the ball.
Miles better this year, get an appointment time, walk in through the fire door, injected. All done in 2 mins, no waiting inside.
Usually don't have mine until October, so my doctors are on the ball.
Because I had a TIA in 2006 I get one every year, but has anyone managed to get one this year?
I picked up a prescription at Boots last week and they weren't taking bookings (because I don't think they have any).
Tesco sent me an e-mail and they had no appointments in October.
My sister works in a pharmacy and they don't have any either, or she would have had hers!
So has anyone managed to get vaccinated yet?
I picked up a prescription at Boots last week and they weren't taking bookings (because I don't think they have any).
Tesco sent me an e-mail and they had no appointments in October.
My sister works in a pharmacy and they don't have any either, or she would have had hers!
So has anyone managed to get vaccinated yet?
I rang my docs on Monday as I hadn't received a communication about the flu sessions they do - no idea what they will look like this year mind! They said that they are waiting on the first batch that will go to the oldies first, followed by at risk (diabetes, heart disease etc) then the rest. No date given.
Assume the labs have struggled to remain resourced.
I was thinking about skipping it as we are to stay at home. It won't do you any good against covid! I wonder whether pay per play (boots) are at the bottom of the list?
Assume the labs have struggled to remain resourced.
I was thinking about skipping it as we are to stay at home. It won't do you any good against covid! I wonder whether pay per play (boots) are at the bottom of the list?
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