Flu (and the jab)

[Nigello]

How many people are going to have the flu jab this year? Will you be paying for it or getting it on the NHS (if you have an existing condition, etc)?

The outbreak in Australia this year was reported as bad.

[Loz]

Got mine on the NHS yesterday (as I'm part of the at-risk group). I hate needles, but as you say, they are expecting it to be bad this year.

[Sue]

Thanks, reminded me I need to arrange to get mine.

I'm also in the at-risk group.

Just arranged to get mine at a walk-in clinic at my GP on Monday (NHS).

Slightly worried as one year I had a really really bad reaction to it and was off work for ages practically unable to move out of bed, however I think it's possible I was already going down with flu when I had the jab, and that possibly the jab made it worse.

[Jennys]

Available at pharmacies too under the NHS

[DulwichFox]

Jennys Wrote:

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> Available at pharmacies too under the NHS

Lloyd would not do mine last year I'm over 60 and diabetic. Think you need to be 70+

DulwichFox

[nxjen]

I'm in an at risk group and have already booked a flu jab at my doctors for free. When I was in Lloyds the other day, they promoted their flu jabs but the charge is ?10. I asked if I would get it free if I qualified to get it free at my GPs and the assistant didn't know. Actually, ?10 is quite a good deal.

[DulwichFox]

Got a Text to make an appointment for my Jab at Dulwich Medical Centre.

They also have 2 Walk-in sessions in October. cannot recall dates and times but usually on a Saturday.

I think you need to be registered there.

Dulwichfox

[Loz]

nxjen Wrote:

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> I'm in an at risk group and have already booked a

> flu jab at my doctors for free. When I was in

> Lloyds the other day, they promoted their flu jabs

> but the charge is ?10. I asked if I would get it

> free if I qualified to get it free at my GPs and

> the assistant didn't know. Actually, ?10 is quite

> a good deal.

I had mine done at my local chemist (not ED). They know my regular medication, so know I qualify for a free shot. Offered to me with no doctor involved at all.

[Nigello]

Non-qualifiers can use Boots points to get a jab. I think Asda is cheaper than most but Superdrug is probably more convenient, like Boots.

[Pugwash]

Hubby got his jab last week - he has asthma so at risk.

GP has not contacted me yet - am also in the risk group due to diabetes.

[Seabag]

Get the jab, concentrate on the risk first. Pay, or whatever.

We're not living in the perfect world right now.

[maxxi]

Got my flu jab at the Sogim pharmacy on corner of LL and Shawbury rd three weeks ago - saved going to GP, quick and easy too.

[Nigello]

Just having it does not mean you won't get the flu. Basic hygiene - washing of hands and the use of gels (though, apparently, washing is better) - counts for a lot (and would stop the spread of lots of other bugs as well).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-41432555/how-long-should-we-wash-our-hands

[lavender27]

Is the jab a "one size fits all" . Does anyone know much about the injection ie quantity, how it's made, what's in it etc etc etc.,

[Loz]

lavender27 Wrote:

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> Is the jab a "one size fits all" . Does anyone

> know much about the injection ie quantity, how

> it's made, what's in it etc etc etc.,

No questions were asked before he selected the syringe, so I suspect it is the same jab for everyone.

[Nigello]

You ask your chemist or nurse about the contents of the vaccine. They should let you know in the same way they ask you about allergies and tell you about reactions, but they don't always do so, so do ask them.

[TE44]

lavender27 Wrote:

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> Is the jab a "one size fits all" . Does anyone

> know much about the injection ie quantity, how

> it's made, what's in it etc etc etc.,

https://patient.info/doctor/influenza-vaccination

[singalto]

People qualify for a free jab if they are 65+, or have a variety of conditions including asthma and diabetes.

[TE44]

https://www.statnews.com/2017/01/27/flu-vaccine-health-care-workers/

This is a link looking at British research on the

flu vaccine,believed to be flawed, from healthcare

workers some who are against this vaccine being mandatory but do not have the choice.

[Loz]

It's offered to NHS people, but I don't believe it is mandatory.

[Blah Blah]

It is important to understand that a bad cold or chest infection, is not the flu and a flu jab won't prevent catching those. Influenza is a different kind of virus and anyone who is at risk should have the vaccine. It is the progression to pnuemonia that makes it fatal in some people, hence why anyone over 65 and those with respiratory conditions are offered the vaccine. We've not seen a global pandemic for a long time, and vaccinations are part of preventing that too. There are a lot of things we can do though to make sure our immune systems are as strong as they can be as well. Diet is very important - don't allow yourself to get run down and where possible, avoid people who already have colds. The reason why these viruses are more prolific in winter is because they live longer in cold temperatures. A flu virus remains infectious for around one week at human body temperature, but can last for thirty day at zero degrees, and longer at lower temperatures than that. Most disinfectants will kill viruses on hard surfaces.

[Seabag]

And when you do have the flu, be kind to everyone and stay at home.

I've seen snot monster trudging to work on the tubes/buses, spreading their germs.

Nasty.

[Nigello]

Sleep is a good illness preventer (to an extent, of course - I am not saying "kip cures all ailments"). Longer and darker nights make it easier! I am not convinced by the use of vitamins and zinc etc, though.

[PeckhamRose]

I often develop a hard slightly painful lump under the skin after my flu jab (I have pre existing condition) but this year did not get one. Yay! Totally agree with advice above, from blahblah. And I think we in this country are so very lucky to get this service free.

[Seabag]

Thanks for this thread btw, it made me go get mine today. The NHS has been texting me, but been so busy this past couple of weeks.

However, I went to Boots and asked for it, happy to pay. The pharmacist asked if I was on the NHS at risk list, then gave it to me for free.

They then inform your doctor.