Just a post to remind people that flu jabs will soon be in at your Doctors. My doctors will be starting jabs and have them in the Start of October so thought I would remind people to check with their docs if you have the jab. Love glynis x
Getting to the time of year!!! flu jabs - Asthma Community ...
Getting to the time of year!!! flu jabs
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Timely post Glynis, was just thinking about that the other day and wondering when my letter will be arriving inviting me to get my jab!
Oooh goodie, another needle. 
Does anyone know how often the pneumowhatsit jab has to be done - I can't remember when I had mine?
Had mine last year.Not sure if ten years or life but def ask them when you go. X
My pneumovax lasts for 10 years. Just trying to remember when I last had it...
Thank You Glynis! was wondering about that today lol!
Flu Jub at my GP
I went to my GP this morning and they had notices saying ask about flu jab if you are at risk.
I did not actually book a jab as I have a virus at the moment, probably cought flu before the jab.
Suggest get yours before you get whatever nasty I have!
i always get my flu jab in half term and i WON'T be getting the pnuemonia jab again! I was really ill for 3 weeks after that jab - 1 week of a really bad cold, 1 week of really bad asthma symptoms then 1 week of having lost my voice. I then had a year or so where i lost my voice a lot - almost had no voice as often as i did have a voice. i now lose my voice every time i get a cold or my asthma kicks off and i 100% blame that pneumonia jab!!!
Oooh, Ann50, do you get to book an appointment for your flu jab? Our surgery just gets everyone to turn up on a Saturday morning. We walk in at one door, form an orderly queue, give our names, get stuck with a ruddy great needle and walk out of the other door.
Well, that might be a slight exaggeration, we do pause for long enough for the sadist with the needle to make a note that we've turned up for the jab. BUT, I'm sure they're working on this and fully expect that before long there will be a conveyor belt installed so that we're all moving a a standard rate to make it easier to use one of those dart guns on us as we glide past on the way to being expelled from the back door (not forgetting to remove the dart from our upper arm and place it neatly in the recepticle provided).
I don't know why I hate it all so much - it doesn't hurt, I'm pleased to get it coz I don't want to get flu but I just don't like the process.
Still, on the upside, it does give me something to moan about LOL
mines book already!!! next weekk... yum
any way wats the pnumo jabby thing ur all talking about!?
x
Thanks Glynis,
I was going to ring gp today and ask when they are starting flu jabs. I competely forgot i'll do it in the morning thanks for the reminder tho'.
jinglefairy, im glad im no the only one who had probs with the pneumonia jab. I had it (press ganged into having it) since then i get pains in my back, ribs, front chest, just like someones punched me/ribs breaking.It happens fairly regularly,and Its really painful, im hoping it'll wear off but ive had it a year now and it hasnt stopped.I also get a very sharp pain in arm, just like when they give you the jab and this happens quite regularly too. I was told i was sensitive to the vaccine, so maybe you are too. I'm not going to have that again, ill take my chances with the pneumonia thanks.lol
My workplace has just had announced that if we book a flu jab, we get an extra days annual leave .... wheres that needle? .... can I have two?
wolfspirit i too am glad i'm not the only one to have problems with the pnuemonia jab - i think my problems are less than yours but i'm sorry to tell you my problems have been going on for about 4-5 years now, i hope yours don't last as long xx
Thanks for reminder. Have heard GP had released a few sessions but had no contact about dates. So who should have the pneumonia jab then? Booboo do you really get extra annual leave? Sounds good
I hate having my flu jab, not the needle just the agro that goes with it as have to have latex free version of it. Even after three years of badgering my local surgery, they still want to give me a jab with latex in...
Another thing which bugs me is why when on frequent short courses of pred won't they give the flu jab yet when on maintenance pred it is not a problem. Sorry just don't get it....
I was wondering about this, first year I've definitely officially been entitled but not sure how it works at my surgery - they couldn't make up their mind last year then I kept being ill (chest kind of ill). Would like to get it in before cold season!
TJ - yes I do get an extra days leave, I work in a hospital and in previous years there's not been much uptake from staff so its an incentive for this year. Last year I got mine at the gp's but I will be going to work this year!
wow, i wish i got xtra day off, I have to give a MONTH'S notice for any time off. Just to go to hospital asthma clinic they want me to take it off my leave until i refused. They then let me just go, so they wont let me take time out to go for flu jab as only sessions at gps start at 11am 26th sept. Ive got to wait until more sessions arranged.
jinglefairy, sorry to hear that and hope mine dont last that long, but it doesnt seem to be lessening yet and i had keep taking the pred. It does stop it but it comes back again after a couple of weeks. 
sj xx
Flu jab
Thank you Glynis 
Malawi2, don't get that either about the flu jab on pred only heard similar about pneumonia jab I think? Always been anyone with asthma is eligible. You would think they could order latex free.
Booboo, where do you work? Message me if you would rather not say on here. I work in an NHS hospital too but as wolfspirit have to give as much notice as possible and certainly have to use leave for any appts.
Philomena, depends on your practice. Mine now runs a few morning/afternoon sessions which are difficult in work hours but last year GP got me at an appt for something else.
So who is eligible for pnuemonia vaccination I wonder? Need to check as certainly been on a fair few courses pred this year.
Confusion
Edited - actually want to ask something else.
Just looked on NHS Choices as not sure whether I need to ask or surgery is likely to invite me.
It says under 'who can have it?' 'if you have severe asthma' - thankfully I don't, but thought you were entitled generally if you have asthma and it didn't have to be severe. I always used to get a card to come and have it when I had really mild asthma that was basically not doing anything (I ignored it then) - not sure if GP still sends those out but imagine they are triggered by a computer search through records which picks up people with asthma.
Anyone else know about this? While mine is not as bad as some I would prefer not to catch flu as I am reasonably sure that my asthma resurfacing worse than it was before is due to getting swine flu 2 years ago (the timing fits) and I'm worried about it getting worse again if I get flu - it already got worse last year with just a cold! If GP won't give it think I'll go to Boots.
I think the pneumonia jab is given to people when they have more than a few courses of pred in a year. Might be something like more than 5? If you think you need it definitely ask about it, as your are unlikely to get an automated reminder letter from the GP. I think you are supposed to have it every 8 years or so. I don't think even the chest consultants have a firm idea how often you should get it (it has definitely been discussed on here in previous years)!
I must be lucky because my various GP practices have always done flu clinics at a weekend.
Bryony
Thanks for your reply bryony (never get reminders from this practice) & for the message Booboo, I will check but doubt very much it will work knowing our place.
philomena / bryony, i'm confused now. My asthma is definitely not severe but i get the flu jab every year and was offered the pneumonia jab one year when i went for the flu jab. Maybe it depends on your practice and they decided who is / isn't eligible for the jabs :-s
I'm confused too! That was NHS Choices, think surgery would probably offer to all asthmatics. Makes sense to offer to others as well or moderate could turn into severe!
My practice nurse had informed me flu jab was offered to asthmatics that required more than one treatment for management of their asthma.... This was years ago and don't know if it still stands ....
Do you mean as in has preventer and reliever medication (as opposed to just reliever), or more than one type of long-term/preventer? Not sure what my position is in that case, partially controlled on montelukast and Ventolin atm but all a bit changeable, better than it was but I wouldn't call controlled yet.
Guess I should just ask surgery!
If u required more than a reliever u got it..... Sorry for not being clear. But that was years ago .... The surgery is best place for more information on it
I saw posters and leaflets that say you are intitled to the flu jab if you are an oap, have heart, lung probs, asthma, young children think under 5 (not sure on the age tho) diabetic etc. As to the pneumonia jab i was told by asthma nurse its every 10 yrs unless they tell you you need it every 5 yrs. I dont know if this helps or confuses everyone even more.
sj xx
At my new doctors I simply asked him when they start doing the flu jab and he said after the 19th so I should make an appointment. In my experience (and I've been registered at quite a few around the country) most surgeries will give you the flu jab if you have asthma, even when I was classed as ""dormant"" they still suggested I have for precautions sake. Give your local surgery a ring and just ask when you can have it
Had mine last week,went on ok no probs after xxx
Mine is booked in for Friday 14th. Hoping it goes ahead as planned and no strangely heavy arm...
My wife and are booked for our jabs on the 18th Oct.
Had mine when in for something else last week. This practice has a habit of getting me by surprise! Had a sore arm and bruise for a week as I always seem to get.
Also, if anyone is having trouble getting a flu jab, there is a post on the other flu jab thread from Neil Asthma UK Chief Executive about anyone with who is on continuous or repeated inhaled steroids is considered at risk and should get the flu vaccination - even if well controlled.
I got mine!
I got mine this morning and the whole experience confused me no end!
I arrived at the surgery expecting the usual gloomy experience of waiting 20 minutes to park, mile long queues full of people complaining and medical staff who are too rushed to do more than ask your name.
Nothing. Nobody. Silence.
Wondering what had happened to everybody I parked, walked to the front of the building and timidly opened the door of the surgery. Still no queue. Did everyone else know something I didn't?
I crept into the hall and was pounced on by one of the receptionists asking if I was there for the flu jab. It was so quiet I was almost afraid to say yes.
Just as the receptionist was pointing down the corridor one of the doctors stuck her head out of the door, saw me, came right out and jumped up and down, waving both hands in the air and shouting 'over here, I'm free!!'
By now I'm deeply suspicious - not only was there nobody waiting but the medical staff were smiling and laughing and jolly. Why? Was it all part of an elaborate practical joke?
There was nothing else for it so I slunk into the smiley doctor's room and sat down. 1 minute and a few laughs later I was out again, duly jabbed. No practical joke, no devious plot (no patients either!).
For the first time since I started having the flu jab in 2001 I arrived at the right time, when everybody else was still just thinking about it.
I'm almost afraid to admit that it was almost an enjoyable experience.
So, to whoever arranged this for me, thanks.
Same here Annista! Walked in 10 mins before the end of the session and walked out a few mins later...all over in a blink. Very pleasing.
I have now had my letter inviting me to go for the jab and have also confirmed I can ask for the pneumoccal jab when I get there too. BUT not well enough at the moment to have it! Hopefully they will save some for those of us currently with infections.
Not had mine yet. Some of my friends have been saying its less painful afterwards and can sleep on that side, unlike previous years. One can only hope..
GrannyMo, I hope so! Last time (2 years ago) it wasn't that bad, but had a strangely heavy arm and didn't like lifting it. Though at the time it could all have been down to something else - still, the timing was suspicious.
Am certainly hoping it won't be like my Men C jab, which was probably the worst I've had for hurting afterwards.
It was much the same for me this year, odd shaped red lump reaction which became a bruise and lasted for over a week. Definately awkward sleeping on that side and at work raising arms above shoulder level. Still not too bad overall
Booked mine today for next monday. Ive been ok when ive had the jab the last couple of years. Before that, i refused them as if i didnt have the jab i was ok, but after having the flu jab i got the flu about 3 times and had to have loads of time off work.
I've not had a letter, I always usually get a letter! I usually have it at the hospital anyway but that's not the point!
Had mine yesterday at work, it didn't hurt in the slightest until after, now I have a sore bruised arm and didn't sleep well last night as I couldn't get comfy, kept wanting to lie on that side! Hmmff. And if its anything like last year, I have the aches/sore body like you're coming down with a cold, to look forward to in a couple of days!
I booked mine today for 27th October (half term). I hope it doesn't hurt too much afterwards cos i'm going on a musicians' weekend the following day so will be spending quite a bit of time playing my flute
Phew, I've never had a letter, not sure why it's a big deal. Must save a lot of money?
Didn't have any fluey problems just sore arm after and it was 2 weeks ago.
Ive booked two...both had to be cancelled as in costa...was also due to have pnemonia one...but to late as have that now!! Does this mean i also cant have flu jab as on antibiotics??!!
Ok, attempt #1 =fail. The nurse wouldn't give it to me as she said my asthma was too unsettled and needs to calm down a bit, plus she couldn't be sure I didn't have a chest infection (doesn't feel like it but guess they have to be careful).
Just hope it settles soon, as getting flu would unsettle my chest a whole lot more!
(Surprise) attempt #2 successful - saw GP this morning to moan about lack of control (of chest that is) and he suddenly whipped out the syringe pack and said 'have you had this? No? Great, you can have it now.' Glad I got it and don't have to trek back, am feeling fine but arm is not so happy right now...
Heehee, Philomena, also had the same experience now the last two years. Must be practice policy to save booking extra appts.
This surgery also seems to have sent the GPs on some kind of course to do bloods - they are allowed to do them in appts and they are all actually good at it! It's great - no trekking back to see the nurse and no mangling as frequently happens (In my experience) when doctors are let loose with a needle. Though one of them, while actually really good at doing bloods, seems to have confidence issues - she tends to say 'sorry, I'm not very good at this' beforehand. I am not scared of needles but I would really rather not have someone say that before they stick one in me!
There is a poll apps.facebook.com/my-polls/... here on the Asthma UK facebook page
""Have your say about the flu jab:
There's been some confusion about who's eligible for the flu vaccine this year. We know that some of you are finding it difficult to get the flu jab from your doctor. We want to know about your experience.
I had mine last week....wasn't anywhere near as bad as last year (I'm sure there was elephant tranquillizer & a tonne of lead in last years mix @_@ XD)
GP won't give me mine until chest infection all past. Something to look forward to, eh?
Had mine on Monday but my arm is still really sore! never had it before cos of my mega fear of needles but have too much at stake to get the flu this winter due to my sporting competitions. GP was great with me and knew how to handle it even when I wanted to run! Feeling a bit off colour still but Ive been told thats normal xx
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