Update on Flu Jab!

[Purplecrow]

Had my annual flu jab last week. No negative consequences. Period.

Only indication of the injection was a modest warm reddened area at the site of the injection. Lasted 2- 3 days and now gone.

This is year 5 of PMR, diagnosed in 2013. My annual flu jab has helped me avoid the flu, and I rarely have viral colds.

Get your Flu Jab, let the latest vaccines help you avoid a potentially fatal influenza.

Kind regards, Purplecrow

[EdithWales]

Totally agree. Had mine on Friday, no problems 🥂

[GOOD_GRIEF]

Thank you. It is estimated that 80,000 people died in the US from flu last year.

Even when you're young and vigorous, it can land you on your butt, taking 6-8 weeks to fully recover, as I can personally attest from when In was young and vigorous. That happened once in my 30s, and I got the shot every year thereafter. I hardly even get colds now.

Please, if you haven't done it, get the shot.

[SheffieldJane]

Thanks for the reminder. I normally get called in, not this year.

[Sandradsn]

I had flu and pneumonia jabs on Saturday,in different arms.It was fine , my arms ache 😞but I also reduced pred by .5 mgs last week after gradual taper.I'm hoping the aching is due to the jabs 🤔👍💪

[GerriMc in reply to Sandradsn]

Glad you said that Sandra , I’m in exactly the same position. I reduced by .5 two days ago and got the flu jab last night. Very, very stiff and sore this morning. I took an extra 1mg because I have to drive a lot today. No effects whatsoever when I got it last year.

Hopefully we’ll both be back on track soon.

[Sandradsn in reply to GerriMc]

Hi GerriMc ,it took about 5 days for my arms to stop aching,they seem fine now so taper was ok phew!😊hope you're ok too😊.

[Janet57]

I’ve had the flu jab every year since being diagnosed with PMR (now 5) with no ill effects.

[AliDeJ]

Hello

I had mine yesterday, free on the NHS, in spite of not being aged 65 yet. At your G.P's discretion those whose immune systems are compromised through medications e.g. steroids, can receive the jab on the NHS. I simply stated that I've been on steroids for a long time now and that I work in a school. No problem. I am thankful.

However, I would certainly have paid to have it if my request had been refused. I used to get shocking coughs following a virus, but have not even had a head cold for the last three years since I had the flu jab.

Interestingly the G.P. said "You are the first person who has ASKED me for it this year. Normally I have to remind my patients."

I think they want us to have it, so be brave and ASK all ye steroid-takers!

[Slowdown in reply to AliDeJ]

I had a letter stating my surgery could not get supplies of the adjuvenated vaccine and if I wanted it done I'd have to pay £10 at a pharmacy. They offered the alternative QIV with broader protection but without the immune system boost. Now I've been offered both after online question to GP .. am wondering which one to go for? Instinctively, I would rather have the QIV, it seems counter-intuitive to boost my pred-suppressed immune system...

[Summer66 in reply to Slowdown]

I cannot have the under65 flue vaccination that I want I offered to pay but I have been told I have to have the over65 or none at all, is this right

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Summer66]

i doubt anyone on here can answer your question - contact your local clinical commissioning group and put your complaint to them. At a guess it is a case of supply problems - if all the over 65s demanded the other one there wouldn't be enough to go round.

stephenkeable.github.io/ccg...

[Slowdown in reply to PMRpro]

It seems rather randomly available or not depending where you live .. I was surprised to be offered both after notice that the over-65s was definitely not available. Is this the one to have, do you think?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Slowdown]

No idea! Haven't heard whether anything is available here yet - ought to ask I suppose...

[Slowdown in reply to Summer66]

See my reply to PMRpro above .. I've been told to ask the nurse which one to have when I go for the jab, don't know why the GP can't simply advise.

[piglette in reply to AliDeJ]

My brother under 65 and perfectly healthy gets it free as his wife has cancer, she is in her 50s and also gets it free. It is worth knowing that spouses are free too if under 65, as they may catch flu.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

Huh - I had 2 vulnerable adults living with me and they still refused me the flu jab!

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

Humph, you could have given them nasty old flu and the powers that be did not care!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

Exactly!

[Linda369 in reply to PMRpro]

This is dreadful PMPro. I too have the same OH with COPD, and son with neurological condition. I was offered the flu jab as I was a carer for my son. And this is as it should be. If we go down, then the whole household suffers. Now of course an OAP myself I am fully entitled.