Have you found that a diagnosis of Fi... - Fibromyalgia Acti...
Have you found that a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia entitles you to a free flu jab in your area ?
I am eligible due to my Asthma, COPD, and Fixed Airway. I had my flu jab on Friday 23rd Oct 2015. I always have a flu jab every year without fail. I once had a reaction to the vaccination in the winter of 2005 but have been fine with ever since.
I also had a Pneumonia vaccination in 2012, as I have suffered with Pneumonia on several occasions.
Not for fibro no. I can have it due to taking steroids
Yes I am entitled to the flu jag for my Fibro although I haven't had it yet due to being in hospital to have my gallbladder removed. I also had some post op complications which meant I was back in hospital a further 3 times after my operation. I also have a very poor immune system which could be part of the reason that I also get the flu jag.
Carole
I gneuinely hope that you feel better soon and that your operation was a complete success.
so is it only certain areas that recognise that Fibromyalgia is eligible for the flu jab?
Hello Shirlthegirlx,
Unfortunately so many have found that the NHS Guidelines for who is and isn't eligible may be interpreted in different ways and some areas seem to be having Flu jabs for Fibro and others not ! Hence the poll 
Here are the guidelines;
nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinati...
It just seems that Drs are making decisions clinically based on there interpretations of the guidelines which obvious through not fault of their own can be subjective
I think all who have Fibro should be eligible and have the choice whether to have one or not
I wanted to see what the poll said here in the community out of interest
Best Wishes
Emma
Thank you for replying Emma. I paid for the flu jab last year after being told I wasn't eligible. But I do think fibro weakens the immune system
I think we tend to catch everything going or it certainly seems that way and it hits us harder too ... I would suppose if you can have the Flu jab without any reaction or problems it is probably advisable to do so
Hi Emma, I found this to be the case at my surgery and just asked on a separate thread yesterday (and in a Fibro Group on Facebook) and Ken directed me here to your poll. I was quite incensed that the duty doctor said that Fibromyalgia wasn't one of those conditions recognised for a free flue jab even though i told her I'd had pleurisy and bronchitis in the past. Also my surgery is running an awareness and has all these posters up about 'let's talk about flu'. I have just had a horrible stomach virus (don't think that counts as flu necessarily) but now after effects are a horribly painful ear
I think that Emma has summed that up very nicely. I inquired about LDN for my wife's MS but in our regional health authority they will not prescribe it but I know others who do get it on prescription who live in different regions.
It seems that way, Shirl. I've just asked the same question myself and Ken directed me to this poll.
I should have said yes and pressed the wrong box sorry
Not sure I want one, I react badly to injections
My GP has given me the flu vaccine since I returned from living overseas in 2005.
I was diagnosed with SLE in 1991 and a heart murmur in 1970, which was the reason for having it, however after a routine blood test in 2007 for Lupus, I was told the test was negative. I can only assume that the tests for SLE were not accurate back in the 90s.
My GP continued to give me the vaccine before my Fibro was dx.
I also have the pneumonia vaccine every 10yrs, as I had a couple of bouts of pneumonia.
Are you entitled if you have CFS/ME? Nobody has told me but then again I have never asked.
My mum has ME and is entitled to a free flu jag, Fibromyalgia is in the same circle as ME yet im not entitled? Puzzles me.
J will ask when im in. It certainly doesnt appear on the list of eligibles in our area.
Hello Jax777,
The advice last year for ME patients was the following;
If you have a long-term health condition, even one that is well managed, you are eligible for the flu vaccination free of charge: it’s free because you need it.
That's the message Public Health England have asked Action for M.E. to share with everyone affected by M.E.
"The immunisation really is crucial in protecting people with chronic neurological disease," says Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer. "Last winter, although seasonal flu levels were low in the community in comparison to some previous years, there was evidence of more influenza-confirmed hospitalisations and admissions to Intensive Care Units than the previous year, with the impact largely seen in young adults. This is a reminder that flu can be dangerous and remains highly unpredictable."
However, we know that some people with M.E. are reluctant to have the flu jab because of the possible effect on their symptoms. "It ultimately comes down to a personal decision and your own assessment of the balance of risks and benefit," says our Principal Medical Adviser Dr Alastair Miller.
You can read his advice on the seasonal flu jab here:
actionforme.org.uk/NR/rdonl...
October 2014
Hope this helps
Emma
It may be best to check on this with your GP or Medical Specialist? Good luck!
No I have to pay for mine until I am 65.
Have been offered and accepted the pneumonia jab
My surgery and indeed all the chemists around us are giving flu jabs free to anyone who wants one. I have one every year due to asthma, not sure if fibro would entitle me to one anyway... I've noticed most of the surgeries around here have had 'flu clinics' on the past few Saturday mornings where they've been giving out flu jabs and as far as I know - they've been for anyone who asks - whether they are in the vulnerable bracket or not.
Thank you so much for that it is genuinely appreciated. Many places charge for flu jabs such as supermarkets. I have one free every years due to other medical conditions.
It must be just certain surgeries who are giving them out. I know mine is - the nurse who gave me mine last year (I was late and wasn't going to bother until a good friend had flu and it took her a month to get over) told me that they are trying to vaccinate as many people as possible - if it were up to her she'd vaccinate everyone. Obviously not everyone needs one but she said it's not the healthy ones you worry about - they're the ones who can potentially spread it to those who are vulnerable. My boyfriend who has no health conditions at all got a free flu jab at his surgery as well last year after a few people at his workplace got flu. I wonder if different surgeries have different policies? Or perhaps if you go later in the season - after Xmas - when the demand has died down and they've got a load of vaccines left - you might be able to get one?
Yes, I think it is how they interpret the NHS guidelines?
I get mine free because I come,into contact with vulnerable people with my job.
GP.
Thank you so much for that, I am the same due to other medical conditions.
I actually asked my doctor at my last appointment and said that the NICE guidelines have changed to include neurological conditions but she that she didn't think it included ME or fibro. She also said that she wouldn't really recommend it for either condition. Said she would check into it but I'm not expecting the verdict to change.
i certainly wouldn't have as with ME/CFS my immune system is very sensitive/reactive.
Hello Hidihi,
I understand as it is down to personal choice and this is also mentioned in my comment to Jax77 about the statement last year Please read
Best Wishes
Emma
Yes, and I respect people's choice too but they should offer it to everyone with Fibro and ME regardless so that ehy can make their own decision
Hello ukmsmi4,
Please read my comment to Jax77 about the statement last year
Best Wishes
Emma
My insurance covers the flu shot or I could get one at the museum where I am a volunteer for free. I don't know if there are free options based on a particular diagnosis
Thank you so much for sharing that, it is good to hear how it works in other countries.
Had the flu jab one year due to my hypertension, never had one since
Thank you so much for that my friend.
I did ask but was refused also my carer who is my daughter was refused because she doesn't work for an agency
Hello cdl67,
I think you could speak to Carers UK about this and I am sure they will be supportive of you and your Daughter. Unfortunately so many have found that the NHS Guidelines for who is and isn't eligible may be interpreted in different ways and some areas seem to be having Flu jabs for Fibro and others not ! Hence the poll
Here are the guidelines;
nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinati...
It just seems that Drs are making decisions clinically based on there interpretations of the guidelines which obvious through not fault of their own can be subjective
I think all who have Fibro should be eligible and have the choice whether to have one or not
Would you consider writing to your Practice Manager about this maybe?
Best Wishes
Emma
Get offered every year like sweeties trying to force on me as say you need it! done ok so far without friends had one last year now has something like CFS as always il/tired
Please remember that it is always personal choice about these things and never feel pressured into having what you do not want.
Hi the thing with things like flu jab making you feel unwell it would wipe me out and set things off again as was away for few days by sea fishing enjoyed the fresh/cleaner air with breathing but it's taken a lot out of me as now have cold sores bad on lips/mouth and those little sores you get on body when run down etc takes me fair while to recover from things which is why i try to do ok at what can manage rather than trying to do things can't if that makes sense?
Ive sort of learn't to balance things so keep under control but should i slip up it's there waiting to pounce and bite like wise with breathing once do a bit more it starts getting poor.
I asked my GP and he told me I was not eligible. So I go into Sainsbury's and get one in there, yes I have to pay and it makes me feel a little ill afterward, but having flu would be so much worse. Had mine a few days ago still feeling a little icky.
I am so genuinely sorry to read that and I sincerely hope that you feel better soon.
I have asthma and am also over 65, so eligible on both of those criteria.
I don't want a flu jab!
I am eligible, and get texts from my GP but I think that is due to having PBC and an enlarged spleen, not my Fibro. I have however to date declined, partly because I have a phobia for needles and things going into my body, but also, and I realise I am lucky and that luck may not last, but in my 54 years of life I have never had Flu, heavy colds and throat infections yes, but never flu, so I think why tempt fate.
I think I could be eligible as I had pleurisy albeit 20 years ago and have had chest infections.
It may be worth asking at your surgery? I want to genuinely wish you all the best of luck.
Thanks Ken
I get the flu jab because of asthma not FMS.
The same here, I also qualify due to COPD.
As I've worked in the NHS for over 20 years I get the flu jab free anyway
Thank you so much for that it is greatly appreciated.
I haven't asked because I wouldn't be interested; I wouldn't accept a flu jab for any reason, ever.
Have had FMS for 20yrs,and yes I am entitled to have a flu jab,but no thanks.......on the few occasions that I have had one,it;s made me feel awful,like sore glands headache,and worse than usual pain in my neck and shoulders,but that's just me.Everyone must make their own decision.
When I wake up in the morning,I Know I'm in my bedroom,but I have absolutely no idea what is on the other side of the bedroom door! It lasts about 5 minutes.Is this Fibrofog gone mad? Has anyone else had this? Help...need hugs and comfort.Just been diagnosed with Sjogrun's disease as well.
luv 2 all janni51
Was told didn't satisfy clinical criteria (have fibromyalgia and pernicious anaemia amongst other things). I got to chemist and pay for it (approx £8).
I am so sorry to read that you had to purchase your own, and I want to genuinely wish you all the best of luck. Thank you so much for sharing that.
I get offered it due to being immunosuppressed and RA meds,asthma and basically long list but hubby was offered it for fibromyalgia.
Thank you so much for sharing that it is greatly appreciated.
Voted no before checking properly. I have a flu jab every year because of asthma.
I have bronchiectasis, tracheobronchomalacia also in the UK everyone over 65 years old gets it free. have never heard of people with fibromyalgia having the jab free. I also have fibromyalgia.
Thank you for sharing this information it is greatly appreciated. As an asthmatic and a COPD sufferer I also get a free jab.
All my hopes and dreams for you
Ken
I have it because of autoimmune conditions. I never used to bother but one year flu wiped me and other half out for over a month. He now automatically gets a jab for being my carer.
The health centre sends a letter to all who need it, giving dates of mass vaccinations, usually on Saturday mornings.
Thank you for sharing this information it is greatly appreciated. I also get a free jab as I am an asthmatic and have COPD.
All my hopes and dreams for you
Ken
I asked at my docs and they said no Ken, said i don't have a condition that was life threatening, as it is Fibro i have, slipped discs or my thyroid and depression aren't a risk, x
I am so genuinely sorry to read that, and I know from personal experience (my sister) her surgery give her a free flu jab for her thyroid condition. It does not feel fair how different regions / authorities interpret the rules on this. I want to gneuinely wish you all the best of luck.
Al my hopes and dreams for you
Ken
And many people who were previously diagnosed with Fibromyalgia have turned out to have had a thyroid condition!
The doctors surgery offer me it each year due to Coeliac disease but I always decline as I never get the Flu and my sister who has the jab because she is asthmatic seems to get sick after having the jab
I wouldn't have aa flu jab even if it was offered as I don't tolerate medicaton well.
Last year I was told I didn't qualify for a free flu jab but this year I was told (by a different pharmacy) that I did (neurological conditions are included now). Who knows what they will say next year.
Thank you so much for that. it can be very disconcerting when we are given conflicting information. I want to genuinely wish you all the best of luck.
All my hopes and dreams for you
Ken
I don't have the flu jab. I don't trust them. I don't get colds, except for January this year when I had such a bad cold/flu I lost my voice and was quite ill. Still, I won't have a flu jab
Thank you so much for you input it is greatly appreciated. According to the NHS they have seen a massive plummet in the take up figures for this season due to the fact that last seasons vaccination was for the wrong strains of influenza. Many users had the jab, became ill and still has no immunity to the flu last year!
All my hopes and dreams for you
Ken
I, being 66 years old and having bronchiectasis and tracheobronchomalacia have the flu jab as a matter of course, I am sorry, I do not know if my fibromyalgia would entitle me to a free flu jab.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us all.
The last very new Diagnosis is Vasculitis and I feel it by Therapy. In fact it is last Diagnosis and also the last part of my Body. Vasculitis makes blockade of my Neck Aortas (Blood fessels) and that makes my neck muscles so SWOLLEN! I took MEDROL pills and they are terrible.
Natasha274
I am so genuinely sorry to read this and I want ti sincerely wish you all the best of luck
I don't get a free flu jab because of my fibro, but I get one because my partner is a pensioner and the doctor say's that there is no point him having one and not me.
I get the flu jab as my daughter has c.f and I care for her, also due to having asthma, and lots of chest infections x
