2019 flu jab info (UK specific)

[Oleboyredw-uk]

Hi all,

This is specific for UK based people. I was in my GP waiting room (accompanying my mother) when I overheard the receptionist say “yes, we are taking bookings for flu injections now”.

That caused me to check online and I found this.. england.nhs.uk/wp-content/u...

I hope is of use. Item 6 is especially useful if your GP is reluctant to treat family as it clearly spells out they should be treated.

best to all, rob

[mrsjsmith]

Morning and thank you Rob,

I have just read the article and am even more confused ! I forget what I had last year ? aTIV perhaps but there is also TIV-HD that is newer but not funded by the NHS, so assume Boots or similar ? Well above my pay grade so could one of the better informed please advise.

Also an article on the BBC news saying they can’t guarantee the GP’s will have sufficient stocks. Help 😕

Colette x

[Jm954 Administrator in reply to mrsjsmith]

Colette, see my reply to Rob!

x

[Jm954 Administrator]

Thanks Rob,

I have my appointment already booked for 09.10 on 23rd September which is the very first day that Boots are offering the flu vaccination service.

I always go to boots, less hassle, book on line, change your appointment on line if you need to, text reminders, vaccine available and professional staff (done by a trained pharmacist).

Jackie

[mrsjsmith in reply to Jm954]

Thanks Jackie,

Have a lovely day 💕

[Oleboyredw-uk in reply to Jm954]

Hi Jackie,

Previous to last year I always used the GP, however went to Boots for the first time last year (either you or Paula had suggested it to me) and was well impressed with the service.

I need to get on and book.

best, rob

PS. see you in Nottingham?

[Jm954 Administrator in reply to Oleboyredw-uk]

No, sadly not going to Nottingham, just too busy. I’m sure it will be a good day.

Take care

[fapumpkin in reply to Jm954]

Booked my flu jab at Boots online last night.

Has the flusurvey map gone live yet or is it to early in the season?

[Jm954 Administrator in reply to fapumpkin]

Well done! I haven’t had an email from Flusurvey yet fapumpkin. I’ll post if I do.

Here’s hoping for a flu free winter! 😊

Jackie

[Skiingwebbb in reply to Jm954]

Which Jab though Jackie? I seem to recall last year the received wisdom was to go for the over 65 one even if you were under 65 as it covered more strains of flu.

[mrsjsmith in reply to Skiingwebbb]

Exactly,

And if you follow Rob’s link there is a third one that appears to be better but not on offer by the NHS. But a google search doesn’t appear to come up with anywhere to get it ! Sigh 🤔

[Jm954 Administrator in reply to Skiingwebbb]

The staff are trained to give you the most appropriate one. I can’t remember which I had last year. and I got a form of flu anyway but it’s still worth it.

[AnneHill in reply to Jm954]

My husband is over 65 and was invited to book his flu jab on 7 september. Im under 65 and qualify because of the cll. These are free. I still cant understand why there are different jabs for under 65's. The doctors arent doing the under 65's yet. Im interested in the extra strength flu jab and need to find out if the chemist will do it privately.

The extra strength jab is £20.00 compared to £10.00 to the nhs and they wont pay double the price. Understandable.

My daughter had a private doctor give my youngest grandson the chickenpox jab because she didnt want me to risk shingles. I could enquire with him.

If anyone knows if its worth the expense and I will get more benefit from this expense. A private doctor will charge a lot more. Anne uk.

[mrsjsmith in reply to AnneHill]

Yet more things to think about Anne,

When I googled the more expensive one I couldn’t even see anyone offering it.

Colette x

[AnneHill in reply to mrsjsmith]

I have no idea where to get it from. I will ask at a couple of chemists and then enquire with this private doctor. Not sure if we even need it.

[mrsjsmith in reply to AnneHill]

Thanks,

I had the over 65’s one last year and it seemed to do the job ! Just try to stay away from sick people.

[Jm954 Administrator in reply to AnneHill]

Flu immunity is a complex subject and some of it is related to the very first flu you ever contracted, probably as a child. Here's a link explaining it better than I can: nhs.uk/news/heart-and-lungs...

Not sure if that's related to why the flu jabs are different for different age groups or not but might be an influence.

Bit more info here: ecdc.europa.eu/en/seasonal-...

Jackie

[AnneHill in reply to Jm954]

Thankyou. That was really interesting and it does seem possible that its the reason for the different jabs.

I think I will be happy with the nhs under 65 jab now Iv read this.

Anne uk

[Myrddin]

Have appointment at GP surgery 17 September. Australia gives a good indication of what we are likely to see in Europe over winter - healthdirect.gov.au/flu-tre...

[PaulaS Volunteer]

Thanks Rob for this post, and thanks Jackie Jm954 for telling me you got your jab booked for Sep 23 at Boots. I phoned my GP and was told their first date for flu jabs is in October ( Myrddin you're lucky with your GP doing it earlier).

So, I have now booked online with Boots - which was what I did last year and it worked fine. It's for 09.40 am Sep 23, just 30 minutes after Jackie.

Paula

[PaulaS Volunteer in reply to PaulaS]

P.S. to my comment above. Hubby is also booked for the flu jab. He and I were booking online at the same time yesterday, from different computers, both asking for the 09.30 slot. He finalised his booking before me, and availability for 0930 disappeared. So I got the next slot for 10 minutes later, but noticed that some other slots had also become unavailable in that time.

So, if you want an early jab from Boots, book it soon.

[Oleboyredw-uk]

Booked - Boots 24th for wife and I.

best, rob

[Michaeljohn50]

Good morning Rob and thanks for a great heads up! We were discussing this yesterday and thanks to your prompt I have just booked on line with Boots my wife and me for September 24th.

Very best wishes

Michael

[Justasheet1]

Does anybody know what the opportune time to receive your shot is? What month?

Jeff