Flu jab worries?

Hi all,

We're looking to talk to someone whose worried about taking the flu jab this year? Perhaps you have ended up in hospital with an asthma attack after getting flu? Or you don’t think the flu jab works, or you’re worried about side effects?

If you're happy to talk to our media team about this, you can email Thomas at [e-mail] or PM with some details.

Many thanks,

Dita

[Lizzie1956]

I would only say I’m not looking forward to flu jab this year. I’ve been nagged by GP every year to have it. I do! Yet this year I caught flu B. 10 days in hospital!! So what’s the point???

Liz

[Denae011]

In am also not looking forward to flu jab. I also got flu and ended up in hospital for 8 days. I was severely ill with asthma caused by flu. Dont know if I'll bother getting jab this year.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

It's not perfect - can still get flu especially if exposed very soon after the jab or because it doesn't cover all strains, given they have to predict in advance. However my view is some protection is better than none.

Swine flu turned my almost unnoticeable asthma into an uncontrollable beast. A cold can now land me in hospital so I prefer to take any precautions I can to reduce the chances of flu - I suspect my lungs would go nuts at flu! Luckily so far I haven't caught it since then - I get jab as early as possible hoping to be protected before the season gets fully underway.

[Matman in reply to Lysistrata]

Hi

Seems a few folk are unaware that there are two different flu jabs, one specially for those who suffer from Respiratory Diseases of one kind or another. Appreciate from your past Forum Activity that you seem fairly switched on to what’s available but, just in case....

Even my GPs Receptinist seemed Unaware when I rang today asking how I could make sure I got the version for Respiratory Disease Suffers. Seems a specific appointment, rather than a Walk In Innoculation Clinic Visit, will be required.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Matman]

I knew they were offering a different one to the over 65s but wasn't aware it might also be for us so thanks for the info! I did think reading the article that a healthy 60 something could probably handle flu better than me, so hoped I would get the option...

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Lysistrata]

Hmm though it does seem the adjuvanted trivalent version is only going to be offered to the over 65s, not younger people with long term conditions.

[Hidden in reply to Lysistrata]

Hi there,

I've asked the clinical team here at Asthma UK. There are 3 vaccines available this year.

Adjuvanted trivalent flu vaccine (aTIV) - This is for people aged 65 years and over and is the vaccine recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisations (JCVI) for this age group which is an injection

Quadrivalent vaccine (QIV) - This is recommended for children aged from 6 months to 2 years and adults 18-65 who have a long term condition such as asthma/diabetes/COPD injection

Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) Nasal spray

- this can be given in general practice and via school based programmes. This is a nasal spray licensed for children and young people from 2 years old to less than 18 years of age.

Two and three year olds (through their GP surgery)

School aged children in reception class through to Year 5 given in school .

Hope that helps,,

Dita

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Dita!

[Hidden]

I believe the flu vaccine is grown on chicken eggs and I have an egg allergie so I don't have the jab.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Hidden

People who have an egg allergy may be at increased risk of reaction to the injectable flu vaccine because some flu vaccines are made using eggs.

In recent years, flu vaccines that are egg-free have become available. If an egg-free flu vaccine isn't available, your GP may be able to find a suitable flu vaccine with a low egg content.

Depending on the severity of your egg allergy, your GP may decide to refer you to a specialist to have the vaccination in hospital.

Hope that helps,

Dita

[Hidden]

Thanks for sharing your experiences about it, if you'[re worried about getting the jab again, do talk it through with your GP or you can always give the nurse team a call on 0300 222 5800 (M-F, 9-5) and chat it through your concerns.

Let me know if you're happy to talk to our media team in a bit more detail about it, or email Thomas direct on [e-mail]

Thanks,

Dita