Free 'normal' Flu vaccine for those over 50

Minxy

Minxy

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Since 1996, had Elddis/Swift/Rapido/Rimor/Chausson MHs. Autocruise/Globecar PVCs/Compactline i-138
Had mine a few weeks ago you'd be daft not to. The wife payed for it at the chemists she could have had it free now but if she'd had flu in-between we would have kicked ourselves.
 
My wife and I were offered a free flu jab last month, never had one before, but we accepted the offer.
 
I had mine and hubby’s booked for end of the month but after having to make an unexpected visit to doctors following some DIY I was accosted in the waiting room and had it done there and then. During a further lull in the flu queue they nipped out and dragged my husband in for his.:giggle:

Very quick, efficient and didn’t hurt a bit. They did say my arm might be sore but with the amount of painkillers for my leg I haven’t felt any discomfort at all.
 
Minxy Girl said:
This is the 'usual' flue vaccine, not Covid ... now available to those over 50 (used to be 65 I think):

uk.news.yahoo.com

Free flu vaccine extended to over-50s as NHS battles ‘twin threats’ with Covid-19

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam urged all those eligible, including the new group of 50 to 64-year-olds, to book their appointments as soon as they can.
uk.news.yahoo.com uk.news.yahoo.com
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This was the 2nd time I have had the flu jab, the first time was a couple of years ago when one of my work colleagues couldn’t have the jab as getting over chemo treatment but asked if I wouldn’t mind to give her some protection. Wouldn’t of bothered this year but it makes sense with Covid in the mix

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Martin and I had ours a few weeks back. I always have mine and have done for several years because of underlying health conditions. If I miss the flu clinic for any reason I get a private jab. Martin got his for the first time - he has always avoided them in the past as his Mum died after having a flu jab which I think was co-incidence but the family have always insisted the jab was (at least partly) to blame......

Anyway if you are eligible for the jab and there is no reason you should not have it (eg egg allergy) then it makes sense to have it done. Flu is serious and if you are unfortunate enough to catch it you will probably need medical treatment - if you can avoid taking up valuable resources by going to get a flu jab then it is the socially responsible to do so.

When I am happy that one (or more) of the covid jabs are safe and effective I'll get that done if I qualify and it is offered. I'd be happy to make a contribution to pay for it (but not to queue jump).
 
Always had it each year, but it appears to be unavailable in this area.

Our local Boots have not been taking any bookings for under 65s this year so far, citing unavailability of vaccine. I went into the shop a couple of weeks ago, and there was a smartcode on a notice on the wall, stating that it could be scanned to make an appointment to be vaccinated. When I got my phone out, the pharmacist told me not to bother, as Boots had disabled the system due to demand and shortage of vaccine.

We registered with several other chemists a few months ago as well. Heard nothing from any of them, until yesterday coincidentally. I have been offered the choice of an appointment in Reading or Preston, both miles away.

I've just phoned our Doctor's surgery in view of the announcement, to ask whether we need to book, or if we will be contacted in due course. They know nothing more than has been on the news this morning, and told me they'd be delighted to know when they will be getting some flu vaccine, as there's been no availability since the immunisation program for over 65's about 6-8 weeks ago. Apparently the words Matt and Hancock are banned within the practice!
 
Had flu 2 years on the trot 30 years ago,,never felt so ill in my life,,have had flu jab every year since then, definately don't want flu ever again.BUSBY.

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I am 61 and paid for mine in Superdrug a few weeks ago. The Pharmacist had plenty of stock but he was the only one trained to give it and was only in the Yeovil branch 2 days a week so it was a bit hit & miss when you’d get it. Boots has still suspended their online booking system so there clearly are supply and delivery issues. I’m glad I paid for mine early, I had the flu 2 years ago and I don’t want it again.

They are supposed to notify your surgery if they give you the jab but Superdrug hadn’t, I checked in my records online and I gave Nick the info to hand in when he went for a blood test and Pneumovax, this morning.
 
Northernraider said:
Not much point as no one has died of normal flu this year apparently 😁
Click to expand...

Week 46/2020 (9–15 November 2020)

• Influenza activity remained at interseasonal levels.
• No influenza viruses were detected in specimens from persons with respiratory illness presenting to primary medical care sentinel sites.
• Influenza viruses were detected sporadically from non-sentinel sources (such as hospitals, schools, primary care facilities not involved in sentinel surveillance, or nursing homes and other institutions). Both influenza type A and type B viruses were detected.
• There were no hospitalized laboratory-confirmed influenza cases reported for week 46/2020.
• The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected healthcare presentations and testing capacities of countries and areas in the Region, which negatively impacted reporting of influenza epidemiologic and virologic data during the 2019-2020 season. It is not unusual for influenza activity to be low at this time of year. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the influenza data presented for the 2020-2021 season needs to be interpreted with caution, notably in terms of seasonal patterns.

Activity.JPG
 
Our daughter is the manager of two Health Centres and she has been surprised how many over 65’s have NOT taken up the offer of the flu vaccine this year. Her staff have been contacting some of their regulars who they feel should have the “ jab “ due to other underlying issues, but they have still not taken it up.

I would guess that if that is consistent around the country that is probably why the vaccination is now being offered to the over 50’s.

BernieT

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We are now WELL over the 65 threshold, but our doctors are a pain in the a***e to park, so we get our jabs FREE annually at Tesco
 
I have one every year free as I have health issues. I'm under 60 but this year I'm still waiting as none available in my area at the moment, even for those that normally have priority. Only the over 65's have received them so far.
 
We booked at the chemist expecting to pay for Mrs. Ex but the pharmacist was not sure if she should get it free due to medical conditions, so didn't charge.
 
We cannot find anywhere that has the vaccine in stock even trying to pay for it. Fingers crossed it will come in soon.
 
Have they set a date when over 50/60 can get the jab free.

Ive looked but can’t seem to find any recent info.

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Silver-Fox said:
Have they set a date when over 50/60 can get the jab free.

Ive looked but can’t seem to find any recent info.
Click to expand...
It's been stated apparently, as from 1 December.

And not to contact GP, because they will contact all eligible folk.

Apparently, Government purchased twice as much flu vaccine than usual this year to make provision for all over 50s.
 
Last edited:
mikebeaches said:
It's been stated as from 1 December.

And not to contact GP, because they will contact all eligible folk.

Apparently, Government purchased twice as much flu vaccine than usual this year in order to make provision for all over over 50s.
Click to expand...

ok thanks for the info 👍
 
My company paid for anyone who wanted it, at Boots.

Not sure why there is so much emphasis on Free, it's only about 12 quid if you have to pay for it. I'd never considered it until the advice seemed to be to have it this year due to everything else going on. I'm 52 and it seemed to be a sensible move.
 
Never had flu (man-flu doesn’t count 🙂), but I thought I’d get the jab this year just in case. Just got a preemptive text from our GP saying that they know it’s been announced but they haven’t got any doses; they’ll let me know when they have. I’m not holding my breath.
 
I wonder if they will give you the flu jab and the Covid jab at the same time?

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Onemanandhisdog said:
My company paid for anyone who wanted it, at Boots.

Not sure why there is so much emphasis on Free, it's only about 12 quid if you have to pay for it. I'd never considered it until the advice seemed to be to have it this year due to everything else going on. I'm 52 and it seemed to be a sensible move.
Click to expand...
I paid for it for quite a few years,,Would have happily paid a lot more.Believe me flu isnt a very nice experience,,BUSBY.
 
Onemanandhisdog said:
My company paid for anyone who wanted it, at Boots.

Not sure why there is so much emphasis on Free, it's only about 12 quid if you have to pay for it. I'd never considered it until the advice seemed to be to have it this year due to everything else going on. I'm 52 and it seemed to be a sensible move.
Click to expand...
It's not free, we pay our NI for the privilege. I also pay £165 a year for prescription drugs.
Perhaps the shortfall for those in need is due to the increase in the more affluent paying for it. :unsure:
 
tribalbrit said:
It's not free, we pay our NI for the privilege. I also pay £165 a year for prescription drugs.
Perhaps the shortfall for those in need is due to the increase in the more affluent paying for it. :unsure:
Click to expand...
If you're in England and paying that much for one person you need a prepayment certificate
services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk

Buy an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate

Save money on NHS prescriptions by prepaying for them. You can pay a set price for prescriptions for 3 or 12 months, no matter how many you need.
services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk
 
********* I didn't know that. Thanks will save me a fortune. (y)
 
Could have waited until December to get it for free, but we paid £8 each at Asda 3 weeks ago. (y)

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