Flu Jab

[Sarahk82]

Hi ladies👋

Just wondering if anyone can help with this.... I need to get a flu jab done but it is near impossible to get an appointment with my doctor. I’ve tried to go to Tesco but they won’t give the flu jab to pregnant ladies and said I had to go to my GP.

Does anyone happen to know if there is any difference in the flu shots you have at the doctors and the ones you get through Boots/Tesco/local pharmacies?? Or have you had a flu shot at these places and been ok?

Any advice would help.

Thanks so much

Sarah xx

[Hidden]

I don’t see why Tesco can’t give it to you. Also your GP surgery should be doing flu clinics that you can attend. I would press further with your GP surgery or maybe try another pharmacy x

[Katia123]

Hi there,

I had mine done at my local Asda pharmacy last week (you have to make an appointment beforehand). I was happy to pay as it is only £7 which I think is the cheapest around) but when I told them I was pregnant they did it for free and sent the info to my GP!

However, there are shortages as when I tried to book an appointment for my husband on Monday they had run out, but said they will get more soon.

Katia

P.S there are different vaccines around but I believe they can all be given to pregnant one. If you are allergic to eggs go for a cell-based vaccine. Also get the "quadrivalent" vaccine ( has 4 strains of virus), some only have 3 strains "trivalent".

[Sarah_37]

The pharmacy I work in does free nhs flu jabs for pregnant ladies. Same vaccine whether private or nhs. I had mine done through work x

[Lovefood1984]

I had mine done last year at boots when pregnant. Free and exactly the same as the GP surgery would have done. They also send a letter to your GP to let them know so it’s all on record. I decided on boots because I was due early Nov and got told it could be mid Oct before getting the jab, Boots did it early Sept 😊 x

[Lil_miss_sunshine]

I had mine done at boots, no charge. No difference to the doctors. I preferred it. Good parking. No rush. Really lovely pharmacist. I'd definitely recommend x

[Sarahk82]

Amazing, thanks so much for all your replies, it’s just the reassurance I was looking for xx

[MaggieBluee]

Hi ladies! Does any of you get ill after a jab? I’ve heard it’s common for pregnant ladies to get ill afterwards because of our weaken immune system.

[KayCan in reply to MaggieBluee]

Hi, I just had this on Friday and felt achey on Saturday but thankfully felt ok after that. Everyone reacts differently to it I've known ladies have it and been fine 😊

[Prosopon in reply to MaggieBluee]

I felt ill for 24 hours after mine (headache, aching bones, going hot and cold etc) but think that's better than getting actual flu!

[MaggieBluee in reply to Prosopon]

So far I’ve had 3 colds that lasted 3-4 weeks each (!) so I’d really prefer not to get ill again, especially that I’ve only got 6 weeks left till the end of the pregnancy.

So I’m even wondering if it’s worth getting a flu jab now...

[Prosopon in reply to MaggieBluee]

Personally I would. The NHS website says this:

'There is good evidence that pregnant women have a higher chance of developing complications if they get flu, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy'.

Feeling unwell for a day or two (which might not even happen for you as everyone is different) is surely much better than getting full-blown flu which could make you severely unwell and potentially harm your baby. There's lots of information in this link: nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy...

[Sarahk82 in reply to MaggieBluee]

I had mine on Saturday at Boots and had a dead arm for a day or two but was well apart from that!

[KayCan]

Hi, I had an appointment booked for last friday at my surgery but got a call to say they had ran out! They said any pharmacy would offer it free to pregnant women so went to boots that afternoon and had it done there and then. You need to fill in a form with NHS number etc so make sure you take this information with you x