Can anyone explain to me why my local GP practice appears to have put me in the general age banding of the over 50s category for flu vaccination instead of following guidelines written out by the NHS? I’m over 60 (but not yet 65) and the NHS online site concerning the flu jab is quite clear on this subject. The site (last reviewed earlier this month) states that over 50s become eligible for the free flu jab from mid October of this year, but then goes on:
“If you’re in this age group and have a long term medical condition that puts you at risk from flu, you do not have to wait until mid October.”
Despite this I cannot get a flu jab appointment at my GP practice until November. There appears to be no way for me to book to have one any earlier.
Flu is known to be a high risk factor for those of us who suffer from asthma so why is this apparently being ignored? At the moment it would seem that I am considered to be no more at risk from the flu than my husband (who is younger than I am and does not have asthma) when in fact I, and others like me, are probably at more risk from it than a perfectly healthy 65 year old.
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Emaych61
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I’ve had flu in November before now (or if it wasn’t flu it was something remarkably similar). It’s not a common experience but it has happened.
LysistrataAdministratorCommunity Ambassador in reply to
The flu season is predicted to hit earlier than usual this year - I usually wait till late September or October, but got in early this year, I was invited Sept 8th. Even in a normal year, November is a bit late. I've always seen late September or October suggested in other years for best protection. I would not wait for November if I had any choice to have it earlier, and I was told when getting it that they will do over 50s with no additional risk from mid October here, so get in earlier as I am considered higher risk and they want me to have it asap.
The guidelines I’ve quoted are from the NHS Flu Vaccine site. I don’t know how old you are (whether you are over fifty or sixty five) but it is stated there that if you are over fifty and suffer from a long term medical condition that increases your risk of flu, you are eligible to get a free flu jab before mid October (which is when the vaccine programme commences for anyone else over fifty). I got a text (as did my husband) last Friday saying I was eligible for the free flu vaccine (the first notification I’ve had for it this year) and suggesting that I book an appointment. As we were away at the time and knowing how quickly those appointments can get booked up I went online to do it - as was suggested. But the online booking system would only allow me to book “Flu vac any age” or “Over 65s” - those are the only options - and the earliest appointment I can get for “Flu vac any age” is November. I encountered the same problem last year and on that occasion went through to reception but could not get an earlier one either - because of my age. The fact that I was asthmatic and so was at increased risk counted for nothing.
To be fair I could get it from Boots earlier than November (and have now booked online to do so) but again no earlier than mid October - for the same reason. It’s going by age, not by risk (unless you happen to be over 65). However, I live in a very rural area so the nearest Boots is six miles away. The local GP practice is more like a mile.
As it happens I am due to have an Asthma review later this week. This came out of the blue. I haven’t had a proper asthma review at my local GP practice for a couple of years (or more) but as I am currently under consultant led care for my asthma I wasn’t overly concerned. But following on from a questionnaire sent via text from the practice (also last week) which I completed and sent back, they want me in. That may turn out to be fortuitous as I will certainly ask if it is possible to have it then.
Last year our local GP practice would not take bookings for flu jabs until patients had been invited to book for them, which made it impossible to try and book early. I’ve heard nothing to suggest that that approach has changed.
My asthma isn’t severe, though it certainly isn’t mild and I’m currently being tried on Formoterol as an add on medication (I’m also on Alvesco 160 with Alvesco 80 as a top up if required - usually in winter). The Formoterol is being tried to counter issues I have with aerobic exercise. Other than walking aerobic exercise is high likely to bring on an attack. Things are improving although I need to take ventolin as well. But given that prior to being on Formoterol taking ventolin before aerobic exercise had no impact at all there is an improvement.
Possibly because the over 65s get a slightly different vaccine to the under 65s and it's easier to do all of one age group at the same time with the same vaccine.
no they dont, ive asked this before there are only 2 flu vaccines.... the nasal spray (for children and people with egg allergies) and the jab for everyone else
Sorry to disagree... but there is a regular jab for under 65s ; and for the over 65s there are several slightly different ones..... some are a higher dose and some have an adjuvant added, all of which are supposed to increase its efficacy. Of course also the nasal spray for kids.
My surgery is doing Covid and flu together in 2 weekends in October. There is no option for getting them earlier. The vaccines don’t get delivered until then. The NHS guidelines are only guidelines - it depends on availability of staff and vaccines.
I had an email and text from the NHS a week ago and have booked a date for it. I'm 77, and have permanent Atrial Fibrillation, asthma, BPH (a prostate problem), lymphoedema in my lower legs, and right foot drop. All ailments are well managed. I haven't heard about the flu jab yet. My brother in Lincolnshire is having both jabs in early October, so it depends on where you live also.
The annoying thing is it never used to be like this at the practice. Even in the autumn of 2020 the flu vaccination programme was much as usual at the practice when it came to booking. It differed when it came to getting the actual jab, which was very carefully managed and very slick. No waiting ten or twenty minutes in the waiting room to see the nurse: it was a one way system in, jabbed, and out again and took less than three minutes. So what happened last year was very, very different. When it came to booking it was all about how old you were and if you were more at risk because of an underlying health condition but fell outside that age bracket well there’s nothing that can be done about that. I’m sorry - that is not right.
I'm under the impression that asthma is no longer considered a vulnerability as regards covid, but perhaps you have more than asthma, or complicated asthma.
Covid I can understand why I haven’t been invited yet for that very reason. As it happens I went down with Covid in late June so I may have some level of immunity to it anyway. Whilst I had it certainly my oxygen sats dipped as did my peak flow, but as I mentioned above I have Alvesco 80 which I can use as a top up to my normal Alvesco 160 if required and I used it for that purpose on that occasion. That worked to stabilise things. Actually the thing that was more affected was my digestion; I’m known to suffer from reflux (including the “silent variety) and I had three and a half weeks of getting breathless after I ate and drank anything. I got through a lot of Gaviscon advance in that time.
Flu is another matter. For asthmatics (and for anyone with a respiratory condition) it is known to be a very real risk. Yet for some reason the same level of care in prioritising those who really need it (which surely should include asthma) does not seem to be happening to the same extent - or not in some areas.
same with my GP surgery - i also feel confused by it, as i do for no mention of covid jab. However, i feel it is too early in the season for it to worry me greatly. Nonetheless, this change, like many others, does make me feel vexed, as do so many other things about the NHS.
I do wonder how much of this is to do with extending the availability of the free flu vaccine to cover all those over 50, regardless of whether they have an underlying medical condition which places them at greater risk from flu or not. Nothing wrong with including them at all but only if it is managed correctly. That is not the case if some of those known to be at risk are now considered to be no more so than people of their age with no relevant long term medical conditions.
crumbs its all weird Frose. I live what, ten miles from you and I've had two invitations for covid booster. First one from my towns gp practice 4 weeks ago (all the surgeries amalgamated for covid vaccinations and boosters, all done at the fire station) and the 2nd from NHS. Having the booster next week thank g**. No flipping word on flu jab yet though so I'll probably pay for it at tesco, pharmacy or Boots.
I had a text from my gp about 10 days ago to book my flu and covid jabs in asap. But i declined to have the 2 together again my flu jab is tue as they only have set days each month for flu clinics depending on stock, priority patients most at risk and staffing. But most pharmacies have signs up currently for free flu vaccines.
I have COPD and Asthma but have heard nothing about flu jab from my GP so I have booked at Boots. Nit prepared to wait for GP to get organised. You need to be proactive these days I am afraid. I did get Covid booster text so have booked that at my local hospital this week.
This sounds incredibly frustrating. I think some GPs surgeries just lump all the people eligible for a flu jab together and invite them all together. I am in my 40s and have been invited to a Saturday flu jab day at my surgery in October for example. Last year I missed their flu jab day because it was on the same day I was booked for my COVID booster 3rd jab and there was no way, given the side effects I had previoulsy experienced with the COVID jab, I was going to put my body through 2 jabs at the same time. Instead I booked in with my local Boots pharmacy to have my NHS flu jab there as some pharmacies do NHS flu jabs provided you are eligible. Could you try booking in there rather than direct with your surgery? Sorry if you have tried that already. Alternatively, other years I have missed flu jab day because I was a bit too laid back about it all and when I have been for an appointment at the surgery for something else, it has flagged up on their system that I havent had it and they have then been very keen to give it to me there and then so perhaps you could try that approach? I hope you get it sorted out soon.
I have booked in online with Boots now - though living in a rural area that is six miles away, the local practice is about a mile away. I’m due to get it in mid October - the earliest slot I could get, dictated by the fact that I’m over 50 but not 65.
My GP surgery isn't taking bookings until the end of the month, but won't say the date they are taking bookings from and I assume it's because they don't know when their order of vaccinations are arriving. Boots is fully booked until December too. I believe it's a recurrent problem at my GP surgery as they receive their vaccines based on when they order them and I usually have to wait until late October or early November for an appointment (30 October last year). One year it was as late as December.
One year I arranged my vaccination through Boots and didn't get an invite from my GP surgery until January. Another year I just didn't get vaccinated at all as it was too chaotic - every time I phoned for a appointment the surgery had stopped taking bookings and didn't know when they would start again. I gave up after several attempts. If they're responsible for the covid booster then that's unlikely to happen. Fortunately, the covid vaccine programme was organised by another clinic.
I have a feeling something similar is happening with my local practice: they are ordering the vaccines later than is ideal. It used to be so different. Mind you, back then one of the GPs and the practice manager both suffered from asthma which may explain why they were so on top of it.
Hopefully I’ll get some answers when I have my asthma review at the end of this week. The ideal would be to get the flu jab then as well, but I suspect that won’t happen. I’d love to be proved wrong, I really would but …
Just rung the local surgery - they won’t be able to do it at my asthma review because they haven’t got the vaccines in yet and won’t have until November.
I was told a few years back that it depends on when their order went in, not sure how true that is. But November just seems quite late to even start the winter campaign unless the NHS know that the flu season won't start until Christmas. Over 65s should receive their flu jabs from mid October.
Unless they're giving priority to covid boosters? In future I will try and book early at Boots and not leave it so late.
Possibly, but if I recall correctly there were warnings about a possible bad flu season earlier this year - that was going by what had happened in Australia. I also think there was concern expressed that the flu season over here might start early. Thoughts on that may have changed of course.
Having done a bit of research it does look as though initially the intention was not to vaccinate the 50-64 year group that were not at increased risk from flu in the 2022/23 season. That seems to have changed post midsummer. It’s possible the change might have thrown out calculations, but as far as those being prioritised are concerned it really shouldn’t have made any difference. The roll out for 50-64 year olds is due to start 15th October to give the priority groups a chance to be vaccinated before a possible rush. Interestingly my husband, who currently has no medical conditions that place him at risk from flu and who also happens to be three years younger than me, received an identical text from the practice a few minutes after I got mine. That rather implies that that my GP practice rates my risk from getting flu as no greater than that of my husband😳. From past experience we are all too well aware that is not the case. I made the point to the surgery last year that actually a 60 year old asthmatic was almost certainly at greater risk from flu than a perfectly healthy 65 year old - let alone anyone younger. That point seems to have been ignored.
My husband (78) and I (76) have been booked in by our GP surgery for Our 5th Covid and Flu inoculations on 3rd October. I think we are incredibly fortunate - as we’ve found the team at our surgery to be so incredibly helpful regarding our medical requirements. I have been under the care of the Respiratory Clinic for over three years (from when they diagnosed my asthma following a CT scan)….I also have other complex medical issues….including early stage CKD, probably brought on as a result of all the meds I take…..🤷♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️ My husband has mild hypertension plus, highish cholesterol but, apart from that , he bounds around like a spring lamb….
I’m 58 with asthma. I also work in a GP surgery. I’ve had my flu jab through the local pharmacy. It’s a good idea to ask in local pharmacies. You should be eligible for a flu vaccine before the over 50’s band in mid October. If I was you I would discuss it with the nurse at the asthma review and ask for an appt asap.
I’m intending to do so, if only to find out how they are organising things there now. If they are doing it on a purely age basis I think I shall look elsewhere in future until I reach 65.
Just spoken to the receptionist. I won’t be able to have it done at my asthma review because they haven’t got the vaccines in yet and won’t have until November.
I’m have mine this week at my Gp I have severe asthma and on biological injections, plus my 6th covid vaccine, I’d either discuss it with your asthma nurse or try and book it in a pharmacy as I booked my husband’s in Boots August for this week, maybe all their slots are full
sorry if this has already been said. Is your local pharmacy doing jabs. I get mine done where I get my meds from. They know me very well. Im booked in for beginning of October. Not had a flu jab at my GPs for a while now.
Nearest local pharmacy (Boots) is 6 miles away (I live in a very rural area so prescriptions etc are collected from an in house dispensary at the GP which is about a mile away). But yes I have now booked with Boots where I was able to get one in October, but no earlier than the earliest date set for those who are 50 or over. Even so that is earlier than the first available appointment at the GP practice which is in November.
not sure my doctor knows im alive🤭took them 3momths after i had the 1st covid jab to offer me one and stop asking me to go in for the flue jab as i always decline😆 never had flue or a cold so see no reason to have it although i do have 3 lung diseases due to working on a building site but hey still here alaive and kicking so i sugest try booking by your local chemist good luck take care
I got email re my 4 th Covid jab due.Was told when had my 3rdCovid done that they would do Flu one at same time. Again phoned surgery, says coz I’m a housebound case,wait to hear.Did that before,waited forever,all sorts of excuses but can’t do owt about it.Wait……🤷♀️
I too have experienced similar issues over the past few years, pre covid.
I was taking my elderly mother one day to get her flu jab at a local chemist, this was the preferred option as they were able to administer the jab far sooner than the GP Practice, whilst I was there with her I asked if I could have my jab and explained my health issues and the nurse was more than happy to accomodate me. Since then I have booked flu jabs with one of thr local chemists for me and my mum and we have always been able to arrange this for September. I know with my local Practice that they vaccinate over 75's first but like you I dont want to wait until November for obvious reasons. If you havent already try your local chemists and see if you can book with them, good luck!
I usually get a text or email to book mine by the end of sept but it depends when they get their delivery of the vaccine although I’ve just got an invitation to book my covid booster vía the gov nhs site which they’ve said I can have my flu jab at the same time but I’m declining that offer as my flu jab always gives me a sore aching arm and my last covid booster wasn’t too pleasant either so I’m not having one in each arm
yeh,go to chemist for flu vax if you can,quick,uncomplicated.
Just got letter today telling me to book Autumn Covid booster,hilarious!I can’t go anywhere as crippled & been told to just wait for home visit for flu & 4 th Covid.Distinct lack of join up anywhere in NHS.🙄
Was sent a text about the flu vaccine a little while back, and had it scheduled for Saturday just gone, but ended up in hospital. Had my fifth COVID vaccine about 2 (?) weeks ago now as well.
I believe it's anyone with asthma who is on any kind of preventer. I have never seen asthma control being factored in for flu jabs, though it may play a role for COVID jabs. Flu can make a well controlled asthmatic into a poorly controlled one and/or cause an acute attack, so I don't think that being well controlled currently should make anyone lower priority for flu jabs.
Which is what has happened to me before now - and more than once.
Lysistrata, do you know if AsthmaUK is aware that this situation is occurring in some GP surgeries? They are the ones who should be bringing it to the fore. It’s not so difficult if you have a pharmacy a couple of hundred yards down the road but in very rural areas the nearest pharmacy is often miles away and not so easy to access.
Yes - it must be tricky especially as I have found Boots very frustrating and slow for this. But in a city, I have other options! I don't know if Asthma UK are aware or have done anything on this specifically. You could perhaps drop the nurses a message (@ALUK_Nurses), or mention it on the upcoming live event with Dr Andy? healthunlocked.com/asthmalu...
I’ve been booking my flu jab for several years with boots. Much easier to get an appointment than waiting for my GP…the GP system seems to be made iup as they go along! You just tell them you have asthma, get your free jab and it’s hassle free.
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