Flu Jab

[kateb81]

Well I asked at my GP practice about getting the flu jab with me having a long standing illness etc... I was told in no uncertain terms that I did not fit the criteria to get one free and go and pay for one. I questioned this with my GP (as it was the reception staff who told me) and he agreed that he thought I should get it but later rang me to say I wasn't allowed...

Anyone else had the same problems???

Since this chat, We have all had a constant really nasty cough in our house for the last 4 wees and my INR has been all over the place. I know the flu jab might not have helped with this but if a nasty cold messes with my INR what would the Flu do...

Any literature/evidence I can give to my GP about APS and flu jabs??

Thanks All xxx

[Hidden]

I was told the same thing and have had 2 colds in last 6 weeks. I am recovering from a really nasty one. Had high fever and awful cough over weekend. Im having my inr checked today and will speak to nurse about it. I feel we should be given it.

Merry Christmas Xx

[tim47]

My understanding is that several groups qualify for free jabs, the young, the pregnant, the elderly and those with various medical defined health conditions e.g. asthma, heart and so on. I believe I have mine because of asthma, COPD and heart issues rather than APS .

Several classes of workers also get the jab free, medics, careers etc.

There is more at nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinati...

I do not believe there is any connection between colds and flu - if there is then my flu jab isn't working at the moment.

I certainly think it is worth having. I have had it once: I now define flu as feeling so bad that you would be incapable of picking up a £50 note that you found on the pavement (man flu that is )

The subject was raised her about a year ago , see healthunlocked.com/hughes-s...

Best of luck

[Willow]

Same with my doctors but I went to Tesco and had it done for nine pounds! Luckily I could afford it and it saved a lot of hassle.

[DataOdyssey]

I'm surprised to hear that you're being told to go and pay for your flu jab. I suppose I should consider myself very lucky in that respect. My Local GPs Surgery down the road have had me on their "At Risk" register for about 5 years now.

I get a phone call from them every year, asking me to come down to the Surgery for my flu jab - which of course is free. And so it should be.

My GP's Surgery seem to have acknowledged that my autoimmune diseases count as being serious enough to have me on their "at risk" register. Kudos to them of course, but I'm puzzled other Surgeries would be turning away their own patients who suffer from debilitating chronic illnesses.

I can't help but wonder if this has been brought about by the existing governments ruthless NHS penny pinching, coupled with the thoroughly dishonourable attempts to railroad NHS health care in the UK into privatisation!

I do hope that the present UK trend (by the Govt) of trying to insidiously ignore the plight of thousands of autoimmune disease sufferers is reversed and we are accorded the rightful support and treatment we both need and deserve.

[panda60]

My old GP insisted I had to have it as soon as I was diagnosed 13 yrs ago and I have been each year since. I had mine at the beginning of October.

I hope you can get your GP to change his mind. If he won't and you can afford to have it done at the chemist it is worth it. My eldest had flu one New Year and I didn't catch it.