Flu Vaccination

Oh dear. Hope he’s recovering now and it doesn’t put him off having it in future.

Pjran He says he is not having it again, that’s his choice.

You say your daughter's never needed the flu vaccine - has she got some natural immunity? (I must say I've never heard of anyone who's not needed a flu vaccine because of immunity). As someone who had PROPER influenza (Asian Flu 1957). I'd strongly recommend anyone offered the opportunity to have the vaccine takes it. It doesn't guarantee protection from all strains but if the right strain has been identified in advance it increases the chances of protection vastly.

Don't confuse influenza with what some people call a slight cold - towards the end of World War One, and soon after, it killed more than the world war did.

The easiest way to describe severe Influenza is: You think you're dying and wish you could. Unfortunately many get their wish granted.

davidstockport Not a lot of point in arguing with such folk . I respect their views , but it would be nice if they could thank the 92% + of the intelligent vaccinated population who have stopped the spread of the virus and doubtless saved the lives of the ignorant minority . Words fail me at this point !

Good on you. In the past, I did get the flu shot, but I'm wary of getting it now. These days, they want to inject people with drugs left and right than allow their bodies to act naturally.

I mean, I've no problem with folks who want to get every shot in the world, that's their decision. It's just that taking those drugs has its effects.

We're diving into "medical" totalitarianism and folks who comply see nothing wrong with it, even though there's been plenty of examples in the past where this went horribly, horribly wrong. I guess they like Communism without realizing.

Golfforall I can't understand anyone saying their children don't "need" the flu jab. Do they think their children can't possibly contact the flu virus?

All I can say is "If ignorance is bliss - they must be very happy" I sincerely hope they don't find out the hard way, and very happy to think that those of us who do follow expert advice might be giving children some protection their parents don't think they need.

davidstockport I don't need to explain myself to the likes of you

I'm afraid I am way past trying to discuss this subject intelligently with a serial anti vaxer .

I'm sure said misguided folks are forever grateful (or should be ? ) for the 90% of the population that have had the jab thus keeping them safe (despite their views ).

Why a certain member has to "pop up " on any related subject is beyond me .? A Cry for help ? , A need to be noticed ?

Surely by now the weight of evidence has rendered such views stupid and irrelevant ? Or are there still Wacky baccy type sites still available to comfort such idiots in their views ?

Sorry , for those who still hold those imbecilic views . Do your research and if still unconvinced , at least be grateful for the 90% + who have had the jabs and almost certainly kept you alive . Keep your moronic views to yourself !

Golfforall who's a Anti vaxer?? Because if your saying that's me your wrong my kids have had all there vaccines I just don't think some are needed for younger people

Leannexxx Why not just be grateful to and thank the 90% of your fellow citizens who have almost certainly kept you and your family healthy (despite your views and inactions ? )

We have had this discussion politely before and as you know I have respected your views .

Surely now is the time for you to re evaluate the overwhelming evidence ? You must realise surely that it is no longer clever or "on trend" to keep popping up on such discussions ?

Nobody thinks that you are clever , certainly not intelligent - Perhaps now is the time to keep your views on the subject private (which I respect ) and thank the majority of our population who have so far kept you and yours safe ?

Golfforall I'll comment on what I want when I want and I'll keep telling people my views as do you I never once said I'm a Anti vaxer there are vaccines that me and my family don't need i had my flu jab last year because I was pregnant till then I never had it because of my age nothing more and most kids in my daughters school don't have the flu jab

Leannexxx How do you know you don't need the flu jab ? Anymore than you don't need Covid jabs - Totally bonkers If I may say . They are not retrospective If you or your family catch flu or COVID or worse (both together - they are totally different viruses) then it is too late for the jab !

The jabs are a preventative measure - not a case of if I get flu or COVID I'll consider having one . Meanwhile be content with your misguided views , I'm sure as a nation we can afford for our NHS to deal with thousands of avoidable Flu and COVID cases .

Ring your local pharmacy you might get more luck booking with them.

I booked online with Lloyd’s pharmacy. Boots are doing them too.

Pjran do they do NHS ones as I have it due to asthma. Thanks for letting me know nether thought of going to a pharmacy.

sarah4701 you have to complete a form when you arrive at Boots, worth booking then ring them to confirm you are exempt.

Pjran oh wow thank you for letting me know that's very helpful

Got mine done at tesco,book online next day got in job done easy. free for anyone over 50 years https://tesco-pharmacy.qudini.com/

Pjran went to two of my local pharmacys and they have a back log of people . She said theirs more demand than supply. Will try some where else tho , maybe out of my area . She said the same as the doctor surgery , pop in after half term. I think it's an area thing. Thank you for your advice . Hopefully I'll find one

Hope you’re feeling better. My husband had his jab paid by the company then had a cold, we now think that was a symptom of the flu jab.

The pharmacist said I was lucky being under 65 as they had run out of 65+ vaccine. I didn’t even know there are two.

Pjran on dear, I am over 65 so maybe I will have to wait. Like you I did not realise there were different types for different ages. Maybe I will start mask wearing again!

Lynibis I didn't know either but Dr. Google informed me that an adjuvant is added to the vaccine for over 65s - An adjuvant is an ingredient of a vaccine that helps promote a better immune response. Adjuvants can also reduce the amount of virus needed for production of a vaccine, which can allow for greater supplies of vaccine to be manufactured. (I didn't know that either but do now)

We live and we learn - then we die and forget it all.

davidstockport as you say and they say, you learn something new every day.

Obviously foresight was missing in this scenario. Maybe 'they' thought the pandemic would kill off many more over 65s so didn't bother making enough of their specific flu vaccine.

Lynibis I think it's more likely they didn't expect as many over 65s to take up the offer of the vaccine, so quickly. It should only be a temporary shortage probably only in certain areas.

Many of the over 65s who didn't make it so far though the pandemic are being replaced on a daily basis.

Hopefully the masks being used (if they're used) for the pandemic, will help prevent the spread of flu - when it arrives. So many seem to think the Covid pandemic is over, but there are still over a thousand a week dying from it in the UK.

As I typed the above it warned on radio of the extreme dangers of getting Covid and Flu at the same time.

I hope you remain healthy

There are numerous different strains of flu- it will be too late to make you think you don't need to be vaccinated if you get one of the more serious ones. You can't have the vaccine retrospectively.

What you say is a bit like saying; "I didn't need to wear a seat belt because I've had minor bumps before and I didn't get hurt" as you fly through the windscreen of a car.

Ring your local chemist to see if they have stock.

Pjran Ahhh good shout! I thought it would be Boots and the GPs only doing it! Thanks will try them

MsLamboLova12 my friend called into our local chemist got the jab no queuing

Pjran I only found out a short time ago that there are different vaccines for different age groups, it could be that your friend and MsLamboLova12 are in different age groups. From what I've read it appears the vaccine for over 65s (which contains an extra ingredient) is in short supply. I had mine a month ago before it became scarce.

davidstockport ahhh yes that could be true, prioritising certain age groups first which is why mines in Nov

MsLamboLova12 It isn't necessarily to do with prioritising, it is more because the vaccine for over 65s (which contains an adjuvant) has run out (or is running out) of stock, so under 65s can get the vaccine - whereas many over 65s far from being prioritised are having to wait for more supplies to become available.

I'm in the over 65s category but got my jab a month ago when there was a plentiful supply.

Depending on your age (if you fall into the wider range of those now eligible) you might not have to pay anything.

For those aged over 50 it is definitely FREE

This might help others see if they're eligible https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-53847025