Update on Flu Vaccine

[Carol-mc]

Many thanks to all who responded to my recent post ie. my battle to have the ‘super duper’ vaccine!

Had the GP on the phone today to say that no, because I am under 75, I will not be given the adjuvanted vaccine, even though she agrees PMR is a chronic disease. She made a big point of saying that next year we will all get the new vaccine, fat lot of good that is this year, I am not a happy bunny.

Have now made an appointment with one of The pharmacies in the town who are giving the adjuvanted vaccine, hopefully by this time tomorrow will have had my jab! When I phoned them they said lots of people had been in touch asking for “the vaccine for the over 75’s”.

All we want to do is protect ourselves as best we can, life is never easy is it!!!

[Primarose]

I thought the new flu jab was for the over 65's. My doctor said to have it, I'm booked for November.

Is there yet another flu vaccine for over 75's only?

Good for you for getting it done at the pharmacy.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Primarose]

As far as I am aware “new vaccine” is for the over 65s - although I suppose different surgeries may amend according. I think the problem may be there seems to be a shortage as piglette advised in Carol previous post, so they may have arbitrarily decided to limit it to over 75.

Another fine mess it would appear!

[Primarose in reply to DorsetLady]

Tell me about it!! I know that my surgery had to wait for supplies and are doing the over 65 jabs separately. At least they won't make a mistake that way, well hopefully not.

[Carol-mc in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes, they have restricted the adjuvanted Trivalent vaccine to the over 75’s in Scotland. The Quadvalent for 18to 65’s, the ordinary Trivalent for 65 to 75’s. Can purchase the Quadvalent if I wanted, but thems the rules. I really don’t know what to do now! Go back to surgery with tail between my legs for The Trivalent, at least it’s some protection.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Carol-mc]

Well it’s up to you, but I would say any flu vaccine is better than none!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

"Another fine mess it would appear!" - one of many from this current lot I venture to suggest?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Yep!

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

What with patient U.K. website, the flu vaccine and the bank Societe General has lost a thousand pounds of mine, what is the world coming to.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

That stinks...

[Carol-mc in reply to Primarose]

This is doing my head in! Have found out the one the pharmacies in Fife are doing is the Quadvalent vaccine, for 18 to 65’s, they do not have the adjuvanted trivalent one which is only given to over 75’s in Scotland, I’ll have to give up and go back to surgery for the ordinary trivalent one unless I find somewhere that will do it privately.

[Primarose in reply to Carol-mc]

My daughter was told the same in Superdrug, they said that they couldn't do me.

This is all a bit worrying int it, we are told by the NHS that over 65's should definitely have the adjuvanted flu jab. Then on the other some surgeries are refusing to let you have it.

[moskin]

It’s over 65 not 75

[piglette in reply to moskin]

In Scotland, Fluad – which also boosts the body’s immune response to the vaccine – will only be available to people age 75 and over. As apparently they did not pay for it for 65s and over only over 75s.

[Valnvaughan]

At my surgery, in UK, we had VAC Saturday. We all lined up with sleeves rolled up like back at school. Over 65s to the right and under 65s to the left and went in to get the super jab as I am 71. Felt a bit delicate and bruised arm for 2 days, but then fine.

Better to be protected.

[sennetta]

What a lot of hassle for something which IMO is not worth having. Every year we are told - this is the one that's going to do the job and then later we find that BIG PHARMA got it wrong again. However they and the GP practices have taken their cut by then, so I doubt if they care overly much. Call me cynical if you like!