Did I just get ripped off on the flu jab?

rubuhoeikanaika

This is one of the only medical things I've encountered (along with lots of mental health stuff, and treatment in foreign countries) that is free or covered in the USA, but you have to pay for in the UK. Most US insurance companies will give you cheap preventative care like flu vaccines for free.

chocdonuty

Some pharmacies offer both the free NHS flu jab for those who qualify (will need proof) and the paid one for those who don't. Sainsburys do both this year and I think boots do it too, well they did last year

For the pharmacies that just offer the paid vaccine it wouldn't matter if you qualify or not as that's the only vaccine they offer and everyone has to pay regardless if they choose to have the jab there,
Although the charge should have been pointed out to you when they offered it so a word or email to the manager may be worth a shot as you should have been informed of the price

ampersand_

chocdonuty wrote: »

Some pharmacies offer both the free NHS flu jab for those who qualify (will need proof) and the paid one for those who don't. Sainsburys do both this year and I think boots do it too, well they did last year

For the pharmacies that just offer the paid vaccine it wouldn't matter if you qualify or not as that's the only vaccine they offer and everyone has to pay regardless if they choose to have the jab there,
Although the charge should have been pointed out to you when they offered it so a word or email to the manager may be worth a shot as you should have been informed of the price

Yep Boots do them free for people who qualify My boyfriend gets his done there and doesn't have to pay as he's asthmatic... he regularly picks up his inhalers from the pharmacy there so presumably that was proof enough for them, as he didn't have to show them any paperwork or anything.

Bonfire_Bride

Considering I am literally across the border from most of you, it is shocking to hear that you have to pay for the flu jab? I've never had to pay for holiday jabs - seems unfair

Can't believe ASDA and TESO offer it???? Sounds strange that you can pick up a jab in a supermarket (okay, i know it's an instore pharmacist) but surely NHS should mean free?

I would send off receipt and ask for refund!If it was advertised as free in the pharmacy - then certainly challenge it!

Skyllo

Flu vaccines are free from GP practices for over 65s, those with medical conditions, health care workers and some other groups. From this thread I gather some pharmacies will offer it free to these groups too?

The only people that have to pay are those that want the vaccine but don't fall into the eligible groups.

I'm a health care worker so got it at work yesterday and my arm hurts. I'm such a wimp.

Floss

I work for an NHS trust and am able to get a flu jab through work f.o.c. I am also asthmatic and can get a free jab at my GP, which I do, because then it is on my medical records.


Op, you may well get a letter from your GP inviting you to go for a jab, in which case you should tell them you've already had one so they are aware.