Flu Jab: Yes Or No?

[Jennykenny]

I’m 67 and thinking about having the flu jab thus year.
Any thoughts?

[retrocop]

Had mine last Saturday. Have had it for years. If I caught flu it would probably kill me. I only had a reaction about 6 years ago ,it was slight and most others I spoke to had it as well that year.
I learn recently,probably on here, that the flu strain for Australian winter is the model used by the UK later.

[anneasquith]

I see no reason not to have it .

[mallyh]

I have one every year and i'm fine . when I went to book this year I was told they have a jab for under 65 and a different one for overs .

[douglas9401]

The info was from the receptionist at my practice, ethandron.

Maybe viewers in Scotland have their own programmes. :-)

[ethandron]

Ha ha, maybe they do Douglas, I didn’t realise you were in Scotland :)
The only difference I can find though, is that Scotland aren’t giving over 65s the more effective one, you have to be over 75. Can’t find any mention of jabs being delayed till November. I think if it was me and I wanted the jab, I’d query what you’ve been told and ask why.

[bednobs]

i have been having it for about 10 years and the only problem is a sore arm for a day or two

[woofgang]

the adjuvant vac for over 65's is not delivered yet....its not just for NHS (free) vacs but for the ones you pay for as well. Just been told my local pharmacy expect it next week. I am entitled to a free one but going to the surgery is a faff so will buy one at the pharmacy if they aren't doing free ones for my surgery.

[ethandron]

I had a letter yesterday from Boots to tell me I could have my free nhs one there if I wanted woofy.

[Ken4155]

Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes back in '09 and had a flu jab each year since then. Means having to wait in the surgery for a while but i take my newspaper in there and study the nags whilst waiting for my name to be called.

[douglas9401]

For the sake of clarity, Ken, is 'study the nags' to do with racing form or an analysis of receptionist behaviour?

[woofgang]

ethandron, thanks but my nearest boots is 30 minutes drive away and then a 15 minute walk from the paid parking. I go local because its fast and easy. I don't mind paying to go when I want and not wait around.

[margarettom]

I wouldn't leave it too long to book it if you do decide to go for it, because I read in the paper there was a shortage this year.
I have it every year due to my chest condition and have booked it early this year as I am awaiting an operation. Boots jabs start on October 1st. I like to have mine done there.

[sandyRoe]

I'd say, Yes, even if you've no great faith in it. Look at it this way, It can't do any harm and might do some good.

[kvalidir]

I have it because I'm diabetic, it's not fuss and really worth it if you've ever had proper flu, not something you want to get x

[AuntLydia]

yes I have it as I have an auto immune disease. I'v had no problems with the jab .

[Roman52]

I also have an auto-immune condition so have the jab every year, only once did I have a bit of a reaction mostly just a sore arm. The needle is super fine too so it doesn't hurt at all.

[retrocop]

Lol. I used to have a phobia about needles but after cancer,aortic bypasses,stents and heart by pass I lost the phobia when Royal Marsden gave me a month's supply of Fragmin hypodermics to self inject twice a day. A whacking great stiff whiskey and I soon overcame that phobia. They can stick the flu jab in me all day. Never feel it. :-)

[maggiebee]

I'm 71 and just received an email from my GP surgery today reminding me about the flu jab. Never had one and don't intend to get one this year either.

[Tilly2]

One little jab may make all the difference. I really don't understand why people reject it as an option.

[sandyRoe]

Maggiebee I said earlier it can do no harm and might even do some good. Would you not reconsider?
I had flu when I was far younger. I felt as though I was on my deathbed. If I got it again I probably will be.