AF and the flu jab

[TheKnitter]

Could anyone tell me if your are entitled to the free flu jab if you have AF, the reason I ask was the doctors said yes but when I went to have it they said it wasn't on their list and as it was not written on my notes by the doctor they could not give it to me. I have been in constant AF since I was diagnosed in September, thankfully go in to have my cardioversion this Thursday.

[Hidden]

As far as I am aware, in Britain, the 'free' NHS flu jab is for those over 65, those with a medical condition, pregnant women and there was some other criteria which I cannot remember. That maybe an over simplification but that's the guts of it. Suggest you Google NHS flu jab - should give you some more info. I've never had a problem getting it.

I do believe though that some areas are experiencing shortages of vaccine.

John

[Mrspat]

I have only just turned 65. As well as AF, I have had heart surgery to correct a congenital condition. Until now, I have been treated as priority case but have not tried to get the flu jab this year yet.

[smn100]

No your not. AF doesn't qualify. Hope all goes well for you on thursday

[knitted-bunting in reply to smn100]

Maybe it varies from surgery to surgery. I got it and am not 65.

[MarkS]

Yes, AF does qualify for free flu vaccination. AF is a chronic heart condition, see:

psnc.org.uk/avon-lpc/wp-con...

[BobD Volunteer]

AF is a chronic heart condition and does qualify you for NHS flu jab. If you are being refused then bang some desks.

[fallingtopieces]

I had mine in September this year. I got in early with the four strain one and paid ~£12 in Boots the chemist. I walked in and had it straight away, that’s money well spent for convenience.

Pat

[Andywolf in reply to fallingtopieces]

I now get mine free as 67, but for 10 years went to Boots, Tesco or Sainsbury's pharmacies and bought an injection to reduce risk of illness and time off work. Tesco was always the cheapest as low as £6 in the past, Boots the most careful. Now I get mine free at the local chemist (independent) and don't even need an appointment, though this year there was a delay on availability of the over 65 vaccine which is different to the one for younger people.

[Wightbaby]

GP advised I have a flu jab (free) since I was diagnosed...I was 58 then.

Flu is not good to have when you have a heart condition period, and also when it limits the remedies you can take if you do get it!!

Bob is right...bang desks!!

[TamlaMotown]

I had my very first free flu jab yesterday purely on the grounds of AF which was diagnosed in April

[TheKnitter]

Thanks all for you replies, I will be phoning the doctors surgery tomorrow

[Savi18]

Had mine last week,diagnosed with AF in June and Gp surgery contacted me for my free flu jab, which u are entitled to with a heart condition.

[val757]

I’m now 65 but have had the flu jab free of charge for the last 4 years purely on the basis of having AF.

[Gizmo1980]

Hi I went to see my gp the other week and while I was there they said oh you can have your flu jab while your in with the doctor and I didn't pay anything for mine. I have Afib..

[KMRobbo]

I was sent a note from my GP on Thursday to make arrangements to get my flu jab - I am 58.

[Hidden]

Hi there, I'm 58, living in Wigan, UK. I've been getting a free flu jab at my surgery for the last few years on grounds of my AF. I think they just tick a box on your computer record. Good luck!

[Elephant1234]

I went to TESCO said I had AF. I was given a flu Jan as it is a Chronic heart condition

[opal11uk]

I would say yes as I have always had it as far as I can remember, A/F is a chronic heart condition.

[DGET1]

Well, I've got AF and I have flu jab, and I'm under 65.

[Tapanac]

I had mine no problem. Hope you are able to get it.

[Bee-Honest]

This is the second year I have been persuaded by my Cardiologist and GP to have the flu jab, I am 66 have had PAF for 16 years and again the flu jab has caused AF. Has been in SR since last year taking my usual 200mg daily Flecainide. 3 days after jab this year I started to have flutter then totally out of rhythm. Took additional 100mg Flecainide as advised and now back in rhythm with occasional flutter, but feeliing tired. Not sure I will take the jab again.

[Auriculaire in reply to Bee-Honest]

You could start taking a vit D supplement. Having a good level of vit D is probably as efficacious in avoiding flu as having the jab and it also helps with other conditions. I take NAC too( N acetyl cistine ) this also supports the immune system . Since I have been taking this I have not even had a cold in nearly 3 years. I used to get flu jabs every year because I have mild asthma. After the 2010 one I was unwell most of the winter. In 2011 I had the jab in Nov . In Feb I got the flu. I looked up the vaccine strains for that year and came across the info that you were actually more likely to get the flu at the tail end of the flu season that year than those who had not been vaccinated - because the vaccine was particularly ineffective that year! That was the last flu jab I got.

[Hidden in reply to Bee-Honest]

Yep, same here, I went into A Fib after the last flu shot a few years ago, so both the cardiologist and our GP said no flu shots. Since I also have an MTHFR mutation that makes detoxing difficult, they also said no to any vaccines, unless there is an epidemic and the benefit outweighs the risk. Our GP practices integrative medicine. Our D levels were a little low going into flu season, so we were prescribed 150,000 units for 3 days. A month later he retested 25OHD levels and they were up to 80. He also said to increase our Vitamin C to bowel tolerance, and have Sambucol and Zicam on hand just in case. And hand washing goes a long way to stop the spread of germs!

[Bee-Honest in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply, I take Fultium - D3 which I believe is vitamin D. I take that tablet because I have Osteopenia. I like the idea of taking vitamins rather than jabs.

[Bossjock]

My cardioligist insited that I get it evdry year and also the lifelong pneumonia jab.

[Bee-Honest]

Mine too, but won't be taking it next year.

[corgi02]

I was diagnosed with AF in September. I was offered and had a flu jab last week at my GP surgery. I am 54.

[CHRISAF18]

Never had the jab certainly had flu last year ended up in ambulance Christmas morning in af on all meds but temperature caused the the problem I'll for 3 weeks. Since then the year has not been great. Anyway I haven't had the flu jab as I don't trust it usually admitting that it's the wrong one. It's such a dilemma.