Flu jabs...available to all?

lisyloo

but my gp surgery wont let me have the jab(cos im not on steroids at the moment). Would rather pay 15/20 pounds than end up in hospital.

There may be a good medical reason why your GP doesn't want you to have it, such as a reaction between the 2 medications (rather than just penny pinching).

I think you should at least advise the people giving you the jab of your steroids (they may well ask about other medication) so that they can decide whether it's safe for you to have it.

I know that GPs have budgets etc. but it may be unsafe for you to have it.

emg

I work in a Health Centre and we have been told that there is a shortage of flu jabs this year and so our PCT is only offering them to priority groups. This includes people who are diabetic, have respiratory disease (including asthma), have autoimmune illnesses or are over 65. They are also being offered to all NHS staff (the theory being that they dont want all the staff off ill in the middle of a flu epidemic!) It's interesting to hear that boots are offering jabs as if it's true about the shortage then how come they get them when Gp surgeries dont have enough?

lisyloo

It's interesting to hear that boots are offering jabs as if it's true about the shortage then how come they get them when Gp surgeries dont have enough?

Different supplier?
Perhaps they pay more so have been given priority after essential supplies.

Jake'sGran

lisyloo wrote:

Different supplier?
Perhaps they pay more so have been given priority after essential supplies.

Yes, it seems my GP does not have any yet as I 'phoned and was told November. In the past I have had one each year in early October. I am at high risk being over 65 and with heart disease so I'm a bit miffed about having to wait but if they can't get it yet there is nothing I can do.

Glad

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Ted_Hutchinson

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...
In elderly individuals living in the community, vaccines were not significantly effective against influenza, influenza-like illness, or pneumonia.

"The effect of current vaccination programs on morbidity is insignificant, and that on mortality marginal."

See www.vitamindcouncil.... for more information.

See also
Epidemic Influenza And Vitamin D

Reg99

You are also eligible for a free flu jab if you are a carer for a disabled person. Certainly true in Wales and I'm pretty sure it's the case in England too.

black-saturn

Boots do a free postal mailing which has a lot of coupons in it and one of those is a £5 off a flu jab. You have to fill in a form instore to get the mailings. So you get it for £10 instead of £15.

Or you could phone your surgery as they sometimes have some left over which they will give to you for free.

Miss_Cinnabon

Our surgery just phoned to book ds1 in for his jab, he has diabetes, they have never done this before, hmm strange, normally we have to phone up:rolleyes:

Did ask to get one for ds2 as he always gets wheezy/ breathing probs when he gets a cold due to him having rsv when he was a baby but dr said no, will try agin i think.

Kyle

the_optimist

black-saturn wrote:

Boots do a free postal mailing which has a lot of coupons in it and one of those is a £5 off a flu jab. You have to fill in a form instore to get the mailings. So you get it for £10 instead of £15.

My Boots mail said 15% off, not £5, got it yesterday. Did you make a mistake or are they giving different discounts?