Flu Jabs

bringmeshoes

I've had the flu jab for the past 5 years since i was diagnosed with asthma and i have never been ill with it, i do get a sore arm for a couple of days tho as i'm a wimp and had my jad yeasterday and now have a big bruise on my arm!!

MrsE_2

jeannieblue wrote: »

I'm only saying what happened to me - and I cannot afford to have time off work, I do not get paid when I am sick.

Coincidence? I know quite a few people that have had the same coincidence after the flu jab.

What if you get a strain of flu that is not in the vaccine? I believe there are many strains, but there are only 3 in the vaccine, and they kinda guess which ones each year to put in the jab.....

My hubby gets it, because if he doesn't he moans ALL winter about people sitting behind him coughing & sneezing:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

We both have it now, £10 for the vaccine is cheaper than a box of lemsip, a few bottles of lucazade & some tissues with the balm in:beer:

VfM4meplse

jeannieblue wrote: »

Coincidence? I know quite a few people that have had the same coincidence after the flu jab.

What if you get a strain of flu that is not in the vaccine? I believe there are many strains, but there are only 3 in the vaccine, and they kinda guess which ones each year to put in the jab.....

This isn't co-incidental, the fact is by the time the annual campaign begins in late Sept / early October, 'flu viruses are already in circulation and once exposed vulnerable persons are more likely to be susceptible...

You are right in saying there are numerous strains, but once you have been exposed to a particular strain you will develop resistance and the next bout of 'flu will be down to a different virus. The composition of the annual vaccine is not based on best-guesses but an assessment of which may be the most virulent strains (in practice the newest mutations that the population has had less exposure to and hence has not had any opportunity to build up a resistance to).

I have sympathy with not being paid for sick leave but the reality is if you have a pre-existing chronic condition you are likely to suffer more and for longer if you don't have the jab and this will mean more unpaid time off

Oldernotwiser

My husband has emphysema and so is eligible for a free flu jab and I am sometimes able to as well (if there's enough over, I think!). When I can't get it free I've paid for it privately which seems like a good idea for anybody who can afford the cost. Surely the fewer people to get flu, the less chance there is of an epidemic escalating?

VfM4meplse

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Surely the fewer people to get flu, the less chance there is of an epidemic escalating?

That's absolutely correct.

If you are your husband's carer you should be eligible for a free NHS jab (becaused of the risk of transmission) so don't wait for the leftovers but have it done as the same time as your husband.

Oldernotwiser

VfM4meplse wrote: »

That's absolutely correct.

If you are your husband's carer you should be eligible for a free NHS jab (becaused of the risk of transmission) so don't wait for the leftovers but have it done as the same time as your husband.

Yes, I had it on that basis a couple of years ago but was told last year that I'd have to wait and see the situation when all the vulnerable people had had it. I wasn't going to wait and so had it done privately. Money well spent.

vaskara

Try signing up to medicare, you can sign up online and go for a free flu jab tomorrow.

VfM4meplse

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Yes, I had it on that basis a couple of years ago but was told last year that I'd have to wait and see the situation when all the vulnerable people had had it. I wasn't going to wait and so had it done

Your surgery is so naughty, they should have arranged to have adequate in the first place. They can always order more if they run out, but may be wary of doing so because there was a shortage 4/5 years ago. The reverse side of this is those who should have the jab don't and the surgery is stuck with unused vaccine that has been paid for.

Oldernotwiser

vaskara wrote: »

Try signing up to medicare, you can sign up online and go for a free flu jab tomorrow.

Medicare?? And that would be a free service, would it???

KAAT_LADY

this is a very informative thread thanklyou..

we both get the flu jab and wouldnt do without it as we are both now vulnerable me with asthma and now my DH with heart disease