Flu jab

[nivana]

Does anyone know if it is ok to have this year's flu jab as I understand it is different to last year's?

[Scottishterrier]

HI Nivana

I have been getting my flu jab every year and a part of that my arm has red circle and small lump but goes away four to five days but on whole i have never been up nor down

best wishes

ScottishTerrier

[bordeauxgirl]

I have PV Jak2 and last month asked my Heama doc if it was ok , he just said of course go ahead .

[jane13]

it's not a live vaccine so as i understand it it's ok

[Stevesmum42]

I had heard that there are two vaccines this year one for over 65 has been added, I don't know what the difference is, but a nurse at our practice confirmed it.

Regards Sandy

[Ebot in reply to Stevesmum42]

Yes. There are two vaccines. An enhanced one for the over 65s. A separate one for the under 65s. Hopefully effective for both groups and an interesting development.

[JackLina in reply to Stevesmum42]

AsI understand them.....The under 65s jab cover 4 different strains of flu. They include the sae one as last year plus Japanese and Australian and one other.

The over 65s protect against 3 strains and doesn't include Japanese.

I find this strange because two of them are more prevalent in children and the Japanese one is more likely to occur in older people. Previously they were just protecting against one strain.

I had my pneumonia jab at the beginning of the week and it made me dreadfully ill. Swollen arm and lymph gland on the arm I had the jab. fever and nausea and a general feeling of unwell. I couldn't even use the injected arm. It made the muscle very painful.

However, I now feel absolutely fine. By day 3 I had to take something and so it was paracetamol and long lasting ibuprofen to the rescue. They were very effective. Hope this helps.P

[Stevesmum42 in reply to JackLina]

Thank Penelope. I wasn’t aware of that, interesting. I try to very careful in the cold and flu season. Always washing my hands coming in from shopping etc. Avoiding crowded places, but the germs get everywhere.

Ther is only so much we can do.

Let’s hope for a flu free winter!

Regards Sandy

[JackLina in reply to Stevesmum42]

You're very welcome. I think we'll be chasing all these different flu viruses forever more. They're very clever! If you search Flu jab 2018, you'll find the full details of content. All the best

[Swede]

Hello,

Well,it is true that this year the vaccine is different but they are every year.It will be different strains,as they try to predict what we need to be covered for each year.

[AlyW]

I have ET and have been paying for my jab for the last few years but this year,as I've now hit 65,they called me to the surgery! I have just had mine and a very helpful nurse explained that, after much research, this year's vaccine targets a particular strain of 'flu that hits the older population. She did say that I might have 'flu symptoms, but so far no problem.

Good luck

[Hidden in reply to AlyW]

Interested that up to now you have been paying for your jab as all NHS costs are free with the medical costs exemption card you would be entitled to because of your MPN. Additionally all costs are free to everyone at 60 anyway in England and at any age in Wales or Scotland.

[Albt4z in reply to Hidden]

What is a medical costs exemption card? I’m 57.

[Hidden in reply to Albt4z]

You apply through a form you can obtain from NHS and if you have an MPN, which is a cancer, your GP or consultant signs the form and the card is sent out to you. No NHS prescription costs are payable on your medication, this is all medicine not just related to your MPN

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice in reply to Albt4z]

it's an FP92A you can get it from your GP surgery or from your haematologist

[nivana]

Thank you all for your answers on the flu jab, much appreciated. Take care.