Swine Flu Vaccine

rach29

Hi all,

I'm sure I read that someone on this board is a Practice manager or something at a doctors surgery, and I'm hoping for a little advice (not medical) about the swine flu jab.

I called my GP surgery about the SF vaccine for my youngest who is 4 and has Asthma to ask about a SF jab & a flu jab & was told "oh we haven't got the clinics organised yet but we'll be in touch" so I waited.

Today I have had a call to ask my eldest DD (16) to come in for a SF jab. I was surprised as she has no allergies, asthma etc & doesn't seem to fall into any risk group When I asked why I was told "well she's on our list" When I asked about the youngest I was told "he's not on our list"

I have asked why not & been told if I call on Friday afternoon I can speak to the practice manager, but I'm not sure what to say.

Could anyone explain what the protocols are for the Swine Flu vaccine & who should have it??

I thought my son would have been near the top of any list as he has active asthma & is under 5, but this doesn't seem to be the case. I'm quite worried about him as his asthma seems much worse this winter.

Jo_F

I am sure that I heard somewhere during the week that they are not giving it to young children, so the benchmark could well be 5

melancholly

they're meant to be giving it to children between 6 months and 5 years - but only from December. not too far away. i think they just don't have enough in stock so they're giving it as it comes in. here's a bbc story about it; it might be worth ringing up to check?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8368344.stm

Gingham_Ribbon

At my practise they're giving the vaccine to children with asthma, heart problems and other serious illnesses before they call any other children.

3_cheeky_princesses

My children havent been called yet and i have a 18 month old and a 6yr old Asthmatic. Are others def taking the vaccine as i read almsot 50% NHS staff are refusing it as it hasnt been tested for long.

Marcheline

I was just going to ask that myself 3_cheeky_princesses. I am not keen on letting my nearly 3 year old be vaccinated against it as she's in good health otherwise, so I am erring on the side of "no".

kindofagilr

I am pregnant and will be offerd it and I dont think I am going to have it either, I dont feel its been tested enough

andrealm

That seems strange. I found this link which explains who's being offered it, it's people in the at risks groups for ordinary flu and after that all under 5s, except babies under 6 months.
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pandemic-flu/pages/vaccine.aspx

I have 2 children under 5 and we've pretty much decided to let them have it.

gerryscot

rach29 wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm sure I read that someone on this board is a Practice manager or something at a doctors surgery, and I'm hoping for a little advice (not medical) about the swine flu jab.

I called my GP surgery about the SF vaccine for my youngest who is 4 and has Asthma to ask about a SF jab & a flu jab & was told "oh we haven't got the clinics organised yet but we'll be in touch" so I waited.

Today I have had a call to ask my eldest DD (16) to come in for a SF jab. I was surprised as she has no allergies, asthma etc & doesn't seem to fall into any risk group When I asked why I was told "well she's on our list" When I asked about the youngest I was told "he's not on our list"

I have asked why not & been told if I call on Friday afternoon I can speak to the practice manager, but I'm not sure what to say.

Could anyone explain what the protocols are for the Swine Flu vaccine & who should have it??

I thought my son would have been near the top of any list as he has active asthma & is under 5, but this doesn't seem to be the case. I'm quite worried about him as his asthma seems much worse this winter.

It sounds as though they have just tried to palm you off, This is the info from NHS site. Good luck..

The swine flu vaccination programme began on 21 October 2009, with the highest-risk groups being offered the vaccine first.
The groups of people who are most vulnerable to serious illness from swine flu will be offered the vaccine first. In order of priority, these are:
People aged between six months and 65 years in the seasonal flu vaccine at-risk groups (listed below).
All pregnant women.
People who live with someone whose immune system is compromised (for example, people with cancer or HIV/AIDS).
People aged 65 and over in the seasonal flu vaccine at-risk groups.
Young children aged between six months and five years

mum26

I phoned our surgery yesterday as I was surprised we hadn't heard anything yet (they were v well organised with the sesonal flu jabs, had several clinics, we went to the first) and the receptionist, to put it politely, didn't seem to have a clue. For some reason she is booking them as doctors appointments I think rather than nurse appointments, refused to let ds2 (6 and asthmatic, his asthma is actually triggered by illness more than any other factor) and myself (asthmatic) have the jabs at the same time, even though we normally do as it takes what 20 seconds more and keeps my son much calmer. He is having his on thursday lunchtime so he will be out of school and mine was grudgingly booked for 10th december!

My sister is having hers today at work, she has no health issues but is an ambulance dispatcher, be ironic if she has to send me one won't it?

ETA I also asked about the under 5's jabs as I have a 4 yr old ds and she virtually laughed down the phone at me!

newlywed

I'm asthmatic and been having lots of dr/nurse visits due to having had an operation a little while ago - they've already tried to give the swine flu jab to me 3 times! I'm booked in for 30th but I'm not convinced I'm well enough yet....