Confusion over the flu jab

jcr16

Ok does anyone know ( i've google and i can't seems to find a simple answer)

is the seasonal flu jab the same as the swine flu jab ?

or have both jabs now been combined into one jab?

i'm so confused by it all.

brians_daughter

you are protected from the 1 jab for seasonal and swine flu

How do I protect myself from swine flu?


The swine flu vaccine is now part of the seasonal flu jab, which also protects against the other circulating strains. Pregnant women are being offered the seasonal vaccine for the first time because, as a group, they were affected more during the pandemic and are at greater risk of serious complications. Contact your GP for further advice on getting the vaccine.


http://www.nhs.uk/news/2010/12December/Pages/vulnerable-urged-to-take-swine-flu-vaccine.aspx

Bunny

they have been combined this year

Tropez

This winter, the H1N1 strain of the flu virus is one of three strains of flu that the seasonal flu jab protects against. H1N1 is the same strain of flu behind last year's swine flu pandemic. The other two strains of flu this year's jab protects against are H3N2 and B.

It is important to realise that H1N1 is no different from other strains of flu as regards the principles of creating a vaccine to protect against it. Its inclusion in this year’s seasonal flu jab poses no additional risk. It is included simply because it is one of the major flu strains circulating in Britain this winter


http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu-jab/Pages/Introduction.aspx

jcr16

ok thankyou for that.

our concerns last yr ( weather rightly or wrongly ) was that we didn't feel the swine flu jab had been tested enough.

but our circumstances have since changed and were wanting to review everything again. and then make our choice . but i was getting confused weather it had been combined or if it was a completly new vaccine.

Minerva69

I'm confused about the swine flu jab. My daughter had the swine flu jab last January as it was given to all children 5 and under. I'm trying to find out if she is still immune to swine flu, or does she need to have the jab again?

I thought she would still be immune, but a parent on another forum was told by her GP that a booster was needed every year. We were never told this last year so I'm confused :undecided Does anyone know if my daughter will still be immune or does she need another jab this year? Thanks.

mum2twinsx2

My daughters both had theres today, it was combined. Tops are required yearly.

Last year it was seperate.
HTH x

mountainofdebt

I don't know if the normal flu jab and H1N1 jab is being combined but I did hear that the stock pile of vaccine bought to tackle H1N1 is being used because of the shortfall in the normal flu jab.

faithcecilia

H1N1 is one of the flu's circulating this year, so is basically becoming one of the seasonal flu's. In a few years time this particular virus will gradually become 'less dangerous' (not great wording, sorry) as the population as a whole will develop more of an immunity to it from being exposed to it - this is also why it is having very little impact on the elderly population and is proving worse for younger people as it seems likely there was a similar virus a number of years ago so there is a base-level immunity. Soon enough we will drop the 'swine' bit and just call it flu.

jcr16

thanks everyone. i appericate it. make it a bit more clear.

belfastgirl23

On a related topic, can you buy the flu jab? If so, where and how much. I'm presuming if you aren't in a high risk group you won't get it for free on the NHS