Free Flu Jabs - Is it a bit late?

ziggycj

Where I work are offering free flu jabs. I'm not against them but is there really any point in getting one this late in Winter season?

luvchocolate

On the news yesterday we were told its not too late to have the jab as the flu epidemic has not yet peaked.

Red-Squirrel_2

ziggycj wrote: »

Where I work are offering free flu jabs. I'm not against them but is there really any point in getting one this late in Winter season?

Its free, it won't do you any harm, and there's still a chance it might stop you getting flu. Why wouldn't you?

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Depends if you want to risk having influenza in February, March or when it returns for next season (the previous year's flu doesn't disappear).

I'd have it if I hadn't already done so months ago - and watched all but the colleague who also has flu jabs due to previous illness get knocked on their behinds (adult and child) by it.

House_Martin

ziggycj wrote: »

Where I work are offering free flu jabs. I'm not against them but is there really any point in getting one this late in Winter season?

Hong Kong flu, which I caught in 1968 lasted 2 years and killed 30,000 in the UK. France have declared an epidemic. UK could go the same way.
Very annoying that the NHS decided to give most of us the 3 strain flu jab (costs NHS £5 ) this year to save £3 on the 4 strain (quadrivent vaccine ) which is costing the NHS £8. I think this can be specified if ordered in advance
They left out the Japanese variant,Yamagata which is dominating in the UK which I am not vaccinated against.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/01/18/flu-reaches-epidemic-levels-parts-uk-japanese-strain-dominates/
In any case the 3 strain, trivent vaccine is hopeless for the elderly and not working at all especially for over 75s.
There is a vaccine available now in the UK called Fluad, approved for the UK which is the 4 strain quadrivent and works for the elderly.
Flu is no respecter of weather. Just because we are getting through winter , the virus is not concerned with outside temperature . Its hot in Australia and they have had a lot of flu and the nasty Aussie strain was killing many

KxMx

I had the jab, just had mild flu (probably the strain above), would still recommend vaccination even this late.

DigForVictory

No! It is definitely not too late (frankly after Easter may be, but right up til then, still in season & we've had some dashed cold Easters) so if it's offered & you are currently in a fit state to have it, be there arm bare, beaming...