I know we have a lot of international members on here now, which is great, but I'm afraid this question is just to those eligible for NHS treatment.
Please could you comment below to tell us whether, as someone with RA:
A) You get an annual flu vaccine
B) You get invited to have a flu vaccine
C) If yes, is this purely because of your RA/treatment you are on for your RA, or do you meet other criteria that makes you eligible, e.g. your age.
The NHS guidance on who is eligible to have the annual flu vaccine free on the NHS is a little vague, referring to 'certain health conditions' and 'certain treatments'. This criteria is aimed at prioritising giving the flu vaccine to people who may be at greater risk of infection. However, we have heard previously through our helpline that some healthcare teams will call in all patients with RA, whilst some might focus only on certain medications and doses and others might not consider anyone with RA to be eligible.
In order to get a sense of whether this is still an issue for some people/in some areas of the country, your feedback on this post would be really useful.
Many thanks in advance
Victoria
(Information Resource Manager)
Written by
Victoria-NRAS
Partner
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Hi Victoria Yes to A and B. I was originally invited to have it because I have asthma and I'm 65. I can't recall being invited to have it because I have RA but not really thought about it as I have it anyway.My health authority is East and North Hertfordshire.
Yes , I get the 'flu vaccine and I get called in . Initially , because of RA before I was age appropriate. Now for both reasons I guess . I'm in the Bath , SW area .
I have an annual flu jab, but have had to pay for it for a few years! I used to get it at my surgery due to RA & meds, but then they changed the criteria and said I was no longer eligible! The last couple of years m during COVID, I’ve qualified for free in the back of my OH being CEV. We’re in Northamptonshire
Yes, I will be invited from last year onwards but had to ask for it though and wasn’t invited before although the doc said I should have been due to RA and meds/co-morborbidities.
Functional antibodies blood tests proved both flu and pneumonia vaccines didn’t work due to my immunosuppressive meds being too close to them. I was told to try and see, just as I was with the covid vaccines. (I have been told and read that Mtx can blunt the efficacy of many vaccines, and we know what Rtx can do.) Hopefully this autumn I may have a better response to the flu and pneumonia vaccines. (I was 61 last year and had to have a letter from my rheumy to say I needed the pneumonia veccine.)
They were/are unusual circumstances and I had my functional antibodies tested two weeks ago and awaiting my results. Even if deemed OK I might have it get it checked annually via the blood test to see if it’s still working. I’m not sure how it goes for those. I’ll discuss too with my respiratory guy when we review soon. x
My local surgery just advertises locally when flu vaccination clinics will be (rather than contacting individual patients) and my name has always been on the list when I’ve got there. However, the last couple of years I’ve had it done at a pharmacy because it was a more convenient time and I self certified that I was eligible for a free NHS one.
I always have the flu vaccine & was always called for it up until the last 2 years when my Practice moved the goalposts & I'm no longer invited for the first Flu Vaccine Clinic (now 65 & over only). The Pharmacist at the chemists where I have my scripts filled does it for me now, free of charge.
Both A and B and possibly C due to RA and age. Am 70 and have had RA for 33 years - can’t remember when I started with the flu jabs but was probably when I was 50 and qualified through age. I don’t think RA was the main driver 20 years ago.
A&B yesC because of age..my GP doesn’t deal with my RA
I think from reading about uptake on the Influenza vaccination from people on here, most people rely on their GP to offer the injection….but of course this depends on whether the GP is proactive in circulating information on when their flu vaccination programme will start.
But for many of us on certain drugs & infusions….we arrange it ourselves either through our GP or a pharmacy…I use Boots because they seem to publish dates earlier than GP’s, and also understand we have time limitations on when we can have the vaccination….I have found that might not fit the GP schedule.
Pre Covid there did seem to be some problem if you didn’t fit into the” across the board” age limitations, but most people seemed to get their jab eventually.
A - yes, I get the flu vaccine but I always have to fight the receptionist to get it! The receptionists will never allow me to make an appointment at the flu clinic. Yet when I see the nurse for my latest blood tests, she will suggest that I get the flu jab. I get it both for my PsA medications but also because I have Addison’s disease. The September before Covid struck, I got it done at Tesco pharmacy because, from experience, my surgery won’t allow me (aged in my 50s ) to have the flu jab until at least November because “there are far more deserving patients!”
In order. A) Yes. B) it depends. I used to get called but since Covid I’ve just taken myself off to the pharmacist. GP is always later getting the vaccine in anyway. C) I’mNot sure BUT hubby who has asthma used to get it and I didn’t but since RA diagnosis I have but given I was about 56/7 at that point not sure if that was age related. I certainly wasn't called at 50. Leicester btw GP doesn’t deal with my RA at all.
I had flu vaccine first year I was diagnosed but only offered it because I was not well with the meds I was taking and when I happened to be at the surgery the Dr asked if I'd had it...no one had mentioned I would need it before then. Was then not offered it again so assumed I wasn't eligible. That was in worcestershire. Then moved to Devon and again never offered it until COVID came along and was advised to work from home due to being classed as clinically vulnerable. Still don't get invited by my GP surgery but each time I phone they tell me I am eligible. Gave up trying to get an appointment with them last year and got it done at the pharmacy instead, free of charge. RA and meds are the only thing that make me eligible.
Yes I get a flu vaccine and yes I get invited. I believe this is due to my age.
When I was a carer for my mother and we took her for a flu jab I was given one too as a carer even though I wasn't contacted to get one due to being under 60.
I believe I was first called for one when I reached 60, not because of the RA.
A and A have done from first year I started my meds since 2017 I’m 57 now 😳 I get a invite from my GPS every year I’m in North Yorks. My Doc said Hosptial email them.
Yes to A and B. I think it is because of RA meds as my husband was offered one too as living with vulnerable person. Now we qualify anyway because of age!
I have it on more than one count but my son who has Psoriatic Arthritis and Psoriasis, and in his early forties, gets invited for it too. He's on MTX. Hope that helps. Kx
Have been asked to come in for flu vaccine since asthma diagnosis, but until recently I was under 65 and our surgery has had problems getting the correct vaccine for that age group so I have gone to local pharmacy in order to get it. Live in Bedfordshire
Hi Victoria. I was invited for flu vaccination initially because I had RA but I am over 65 now so would get it anyway. I usually go to my Pharmacist for it before I am sent for, without any problem.
In past years my GP’s practice would invite patients to register for a flu jab. Recently the pharmacy associated with the GP practice has started sending out text messages to all the patients registered with them to get a flu jab ( they use text messages to alert patients their prescription is ready for collection). I don’t know if this is prioritised for vulnerable patients?
I was invited each year, many years prior to my rheumatology diagnosis, due to being asthmatic. My surgery send an invite every year. When I started biologics my rheumatologist checked I’d had the flu vaccine.
Hi Victoria. I’ve had RA since at least 2004 and I get invited to get the flu vaccine. I got it for many years before my diagnosis became I was an infant school teacher, and judged to be at risk!
Rheumatologist told me to get the annual flu jab when I was diagnosed. Rang GP’s who said I wasn’t entitled. I had to get a GP appt to discuss it and he said I should have it. Next and subsequent years same problem and I had to get GP to agree. Only since Covid have they invited me because I was CEV.
Yes to A & B and probably C as I was diagnosed RA in 1981 when I was 25 and have been having the flu jab for many years, never had to pay for it and have been chased by GP surgery if I didn’t book it. I was in North Kent but now in North Essex
Hello VictoriaMy surgery is always right on the button re flu jabs, both invites and the actual jab. I have been receiving the flu jab since 2012, as I lost a lung due to lung cancer. The staff at my surgery, both doctors and reception staff really do go the extra mile to make sure I don’t “fall through the cracks”. The same excellent , caring attitude was there during the pandemic, and I am regularly monitored re Methotrexate as well. I’m just sorry that others don’t get the service that I do.
Hi Victoria we've recently been told by our local chemist through a text message that they are offering free vaccinations to those who qualify. Also I normally receive a letter from my gp around Sept /Oct inviting me to go for it as in their words I am someone who could become seriously ill without it. Last year I made myself an apptmentment with the chemist to go for mine.
C I’ve had the flu vaccination every year for the past 40 years due to an enlightened employer and then age related. I’m 81 live in an urban area of the NE with an excellent GP practice and I was diagnosed with RA 7 years ago.
A for me. I got told verbally by my GP that I should get it about 12 years ago and since then I have just booked without any invite via my GO and each time I am on the system.
Hi Victoria. A and B are applicable to me. Initially I was called because I am immunosuppressed due to Biologics but also because I’m now over 65.I live in Gloucestershire.
Hi Victoria, yes to A and B and I'm pretty sure it's because of my RA/autoimmune disorder, my husband has to have his too due to being my carer. We're in North West.
A. Yes I do get offered an annual flu jab, but only since 2008. I was dx. in 1971 (age 6). I was also offered a pneumonia vaccine in 2008 too. The Rheumatologist told me to get another pneumonia vaccine last year which the GP Surgery wanted from the Rheumatologist in writing.
B. My GP Surgery used to send invitation letters but more likely a text message now and I arrange it to coincide with having routine blood tests.
C. RA only, no co-morbidities. Don't think I get it because of age (in my 50's).
In recent years, daughter who lives at home was also offered flu jab and husband gets invited anyway due to having asthma.
I get flu jab due to age (72) but go to my local pharmacy who puts a huge notice on his door advertising when he has the vaccine, usually before GP has it, it is easier for me to make appointment with pharmacy who then informs my doctor.
Yes I’m offered it by my GP but generally go to pharmacy to have it done (but it always makes me poorly). I’m severely immune suppressed so meet the criteria with that alone but this is down to RA medication which knocked it out. I’m in Leicestershire and have been offered it since I became hypogamma. I’m 58 now.
I became eligible for annual invite through asthma, possibly on an increase dose preventer inhaler. This would be in my late 50s or possibly on turning 60
Yes to A and B I get invite from GP but have also had it in local chemist for free too, I'm 59 and have been having it for years because of asthma, so yes to C as well because of meds Mtx for RA now too. I'm in North Wales and health board is Betsi cadwaladr
Yes I get the flu vaccine, but because i have type 2 diabetes which was diagnosed before RA. I have never been told that I am eligible because of RA too. I am in South West Wales. My husband isn't eligible, but we always ask if it's possible for him to have one too as he often gets the flu, we have never had a problem with him getting a vaccine on the NHS either.
I was originally invited because of Asthma and type 2 Diabetes. Last year despite me phoning GP 3 times to ask about it they did not invite me. I had the flu jab at Boots and complained to my surgery and asked why after fifteen years they had missed me off the list especially as I am classified as CEV now.
Yes I have flu jab every year since diagnosed with RA xxx
Hi. I have been getting flu jabs annually since diagnosis (41). I had issues with one practice (I moved house), so I ended up leaving them as it was such a drama, and they said I was ineligible. I was with them for 3-4 years though, so it must have been a change in policy/ staff knowledge. I had to get a GP appointment to get authorisation, which just seemed stupid and wasteful, so I moved Practice.
I think I get sent a text, but will usually ask about it before this, when I phone up for my Autumn/Winter bloods. I like to be on top of everything.
I do have a flu vaccine annually. I was unsure when first diagnosed whether I was eligible or not, never heard from GP so assumed I was not. That was in Worcestershire. I moved to Devon and still never heard anything until randomly the year before COVID I had a text saying I was eligible. Contacted GP who confirmed I was eligible due to RA. Had to contact them to organise every year as they didn't contact me until last year when I received a text invitation...possibly due to starting MTX last May No other reasons for me to be eligible for vaccine.
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