B12 and flu jab

[Steve687]

Can anyone advise me if I am entitled to a free flu jab given I have prenious anemia.

[helvella]

Policies vary, for example between England and Wales. Quite possibly at lower levels as well. Might help to post vaguely where you are.

[Steve687 in reply to helvella]

I live in coventry

[fbirder]

It’s not on the list for my health centre. Their list is...

Anyone with a heart problem, a chest complaint, kidney disease, lowered immunity, liver disease, stroke, diabetes, a neurological condition (such as MS or cerebral palsy), sickle cell disease, splenectomy, overweight (BMI over 40) or is pregnant. Anyone over 65. Carers of, or household contacts of any immunocompromised individual. Frontline healthcare and social care workers.

[Steve687 in reply to fbirder]

So having anemia is not classed as lower immunity. Something one should take up with the British medical institute. Or perhaps the Prenious Anemia Society should take up on behalf of all those who suffer from this condition.

[fbirder in reply to Steve687]

No, PA isn’t classed as low immunity. Indeed, it’s caused by an overactive immune system.

[Steve687 in reply to fbirder]

I stand corrected will that counteract my low thyroid and severe iron defeciency as well I wonder

[wedgewood]

You can get a free flu jab if you are over 65 . Other wise many pharmacies offer one for about £12.00 . You can book online at Boots .

[Steve687]

Thank you all for your responses. Very informative.

[Martin_12]

Ekurt et al 2008: Effects of Cyanocobalamin on Immunity in Patients with Pernicious Anemia

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/182...

"These findings suggest that vitamin B 12 has important immunomodulatory effects on cellular immunity, and abnormalities in the immune system in pernicious anemia are restored by vitamin B 12 replacement therapy"

and

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/102...

" These results indicate that vit.B12 might play an important role in cellular immunity, especially relating to CD8+ cells and the NK cell system, which suggests effects on cytotoxic cells. We conclude that vit.B12 acts as an immunomodulator for cellular immunity."

The haematologist I saw wasn't aware of these issues and suggested I should see an immunologist if my immunoglobulins and CD4/CD8 don't recover.

[Steve687 in reply to Martin_12]

I am taking Hydrocobalomin for my B12 which I self inject every three months. Am i to understand that your saying my immune system could become surpressed from the medication for B12 ? In which case I should receive a flu jab.

[Martin_12 in reply to Steve687]

No. B12 deficiency seems to weaken the immune system in some people. Treatment with B12 restores immune function.

[suziesparkles]

Interestingly l always get the flu jab from Doctor as immunity compromised - and this was upheld by Specialist at Hospital- who’s parting shot several years ago was “make sure you are getting your flu jab”

Have just changed Doctor and again asked for the flu jab and no problem- got immunised three weeks ago.

[Steve687 in reply to suziesparkles]

I think I need to discuss this further with my gp. Thanks

[Marz in reply to Steve687]

Do you have good VitD levels ? I once read that good levels were as protective. After all the flu vaccine cannot protect you against all strains. Also check the ingredients ... GP's are rewarded for prescribing the vaccine - sigh !

[Steve687 in reply to Marz]

I was diagnosed B12 Defiecient in 2012, and have since been diagnosed with Low thyroid, Vitamin D Deficeint, and Iron Deficient, High BP and more recently Pre diabetic. I am constantly feeling tired and drained.

[Marz in reply to Steve687]

I see you are a new member. There is a Thyroid UK Forum here on HU. Could be worth popping over to receive good thyroid advice. Many of us are members on both. Low everything is so often linked to low thyroid as is raised blood pressure.

Post your actual results with ranges on Thyroid UK and members will help and support. Also mention the meds and supplements you are taking ...

thyroiduk.org

Happy to help ...

[Steve687 in reply to Marz]

Thanks for the advise

[Kat_Lyb82 in reply to Steve687]

I've been similarly diagnosed and oddly enough, none of these problems existed prior to my getting the flu vaccine.

[Steve687 in reply to Kat_Lyb82]

My point is due to my conditions namely. Previous Anemia, low thyroid, Iron Deficiency, High Blood Pressure, cluster headaches and more recently Diabetes. These are all classed as auto immune diseases. So surely one should get a flu vaccination so as not to make things worse. There seems to be a post code lottery on who is eligible. One GP even stated a bullet would be cheaper, which I found to be alarming given his professional status.

[Leete1]

If you are in UK no but you can get one from Asda for £7 and so it is worth paying for.

[Steve687]

I am just concerned that with all my other conditions my immune system is vulnerable.

[Leete1]

I got mine from Asda for £7 as I am not entitled to a free one. Well worth it as I had flu last year but the kids I looked after who had the flu nasal spray did not. Last year the injection was not effective as admitted by NHS but this year should be better as got the right strains and I had the 4 type 1 but people over 65 get the 3 type 1 as it is more effective.

[fbirder]

There were problems with its effectiveness last year. This years vaccine is said to be much much better.

I really can't understand why anybody would risk having the flu for the sake of a simple, cheap jab. Most people who have 'the flu' just have a cold. If you can get out of bed for anything but the most urgent trips to the loo then it's not flu. Flu debilitates. Flu kills.

nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-bo...

[Kat_Lyb82 in reply to fbirder]

This study seems to have proved otherwise.

npr.org/sections/health-sho...

[Hidden]

Take a look on the NHS site: nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinati...

[helvella in reply to Hidden]

That only applies to England.

SCOTLAND

Who should get the flu vaccine?

Any strain of flu can be dangerous for people who are vulnerable to it. That's why the following people are urged to get the free flu vaccine as soon as it's available every winter to help protect against flu:

Anyone with a health condition

People aged 65 years or over

Pregnant women

People that work in healthcare

nhsinform.scot/healthy-livi...

WALES

The flu vaccine

The following groups are eligible for free NHS flu vaccination:

those aged 65 years and over (Aged sixty five and over is defined as those 65 and over on 31 March 2018 (i.e. born on or before 31 March 1953)).

those aged six months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (see below)

pregnant women

adults who are morbidly obese (have a BMI of 40 or above)

those who live in long-stay residential care homes

carers

all two and three year olds (age on 31 August 2017)

all children in reception class and years 1, 2, 3 and 4 in primary school.

An annual flu vaccine nasal spray is also now offered to children aged two to eight years old. Two and three year olds will generally have their vaccine at their GP surgery, and four to eight year olds will have their vaccine in school.

People with any of the long term health conditions below are considered at increased risk of flu and should have annual flu vaccination:

Chronic chest disease (including moderate to severe asthma)

Chronic heart disease

Chronic kidney disease (from stage 3)

Chronic liver disease

Chronic neurological disease (including stroke or mini stroke)

Diabetes (including diet controlled)

Poor immune system (due to a health condition or treatment)

Poorly functioning spleen (or have had their spleen removed)

The best time to have the vaccine is in the autumn, before flu starts to circulate. You should have the flu vaccination every year so you stay protected, as the viruses that cause flu change every year.

nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/ency...

[Kate1914]

Hi,

I don't get it because of PA but do via my employer. Worth asking your HR department as it will save your employer money regarding sickness.