Who is to blame?

[Jemisa]

Us older ones have been informed by the NHS to have our Flu jabs after Oct 1st.
We've been in contact with the surgery to book an appt to have this.
They tell us they're fully booked till mid Nov. So thats 6 weeks approx we'll have to wait.

What I want to know is in the meantime if we catch Flu & die who is to blame? Can my family sue the surgery? (of course we wouldn't) but hypothetically who is to blame.?

jem

[ummmm]

No one is to blame.

[Sqad]

I agree with ummmm

One would have to prove negligence or a standard of health care which was below that to be expected..............that would be difficult and expensive.

[redcrx]

no-one is to blame. They can only give so many appointments in a day, some would have to wait.

[LazyGun]

No one is to blame.How can the be?
The question presupposes that receiving the vaccine offers 100% defence against the 'flu virus, which it doesn't.
The flu vaccine works by sensitising your immune system so the body can react faster and fight the virus more effectively.Having the vaccine reduces the risk of contracting serious 'flu - not eliminating the risk entirely.

[Jemisa]

Yes I agree Sqad, It was mainly because yet again yesterday we were turned away was the reason that I asked. But they did phone this morng to give us a date for Nov 8th.
We do understand they are busy - busy.
Thanks .

jem

[jake-the-peg]

As LazyGun says there are many flus

In fact I believe, after AIDS flu is the fastest known mutating virus.

Each winter in the Southern Hemisphere the researcers monitor the most active and dangerous strains and at some point there is a decision made as to whic strains will be incorporated into this years Northern Hemisphere jab.

Then the process is repeated in the Northern Hemisphere for the Southern.

As a result the flu jab is a "best guess" sort of thing.

As I recall last year there were about 4 strains from Australia and one from Uraguay amoungst others.

It's worth having (in fact my company pays for anybody who wants it to have the jabregardless of their age) but it's certainly no magic wand

[jno]

Boots do them for £12.99. So the NHS lawyers would argue that you could have had one if you had really wanted it, just not a free one.

[China Doll]

I get letters about the flu injections because I have asthma. However, I've never had flu in my life <touch wood> so I've not gone in for it, my body seems to be coping ok. That said, I'd consider having it when I'm older.

[Jemisa]

Yes OK! LazyGun, - You can get back on your bike now. It was only a hypothetical question. :o}

jem