Flu jabs

I was going to say the pharmacist was very efficient, giving advice about my general health etc. But I’ve since had an email asking me to re-book as I missed the appointment, so perhaps not.

I paid £12 for mine at Boots. It’s only free in England for at risk groups, which includes over-65s, people with certain medical conditions and carers. The over-65 version that DH needs hasn’t even made it to this area yet. The GPs and Boots have all been told supplies will arrive in mid-November. Fingers crossed it arrives before the ‘flu does.

Perhaps they are encouraging the pharmacists to take over the service. It is strange that they have The vaccine and the G P doesn't.
The woman in Boots was very efficient and informative. Job done. She called up our details on the computer to inform the doctor we were sorted.

I had mine today at the local pharmacy. I was picking up a repeat prescription, I have recovered from my recent lurgy and I have had no ill effects since the vaccination. They will let my GP surgery know.

My GP surgery for some reason had no vaccine at all so we were all sent letters to go to the local pharmacy. I do anyway because it is much closer.

NanaK54 we're only 64 too and have never had to pay for the flu vaccine at the surgery. I had it for several years as a carer for my parents and then they started to send for us anyway.

I understood that in previous years the vaccine wasn’t protective in 3 out of 4 over 75s because their immune system didn’t take it up but this year it has an additive and hopefully will be more protective.

According to the Times those over 75 have shown no benefit from the flu vaccine with a couple of thousand having died as a result of flu and who had had the vaccine.
I can go along with that as I had the worst flu ever over Christmas last year--------was even scared to go to bed ! I'd never been as bad as that since the Asian flu in the 1950's. Up to now I haven't received my jab I'm still deciding.

MawBroon because I'm 'only' 64

GPs do make quite a bit out of giving vaccs but I don’t understand why pharmacies have some & GPs don’t have enough. I read that it actually costs the NHS less per head if vacc done at pharmacy! Although you may not get the level of service that Willow had at her GPs.

Why do you pay for it?
I’ve been having them for the last 15(?) or so years

Had mine today, I have to pay for the privilege!
Surgery said that they will run out quite soon now as the vaccine is released to them in three batches and they are coming to the end of their second batch

The most important thing is to get it done surely. If the doctor doesn't have the vaccine, then go the provider who has. PS no side affects.

Well i have researched further and now realise that if I do go to B** my surgery loses out on the funding. So I will stick to surgery as funding is becoming a real issue for GP surgeries. Although I have to admit B** would be easier ...... sigh.

We went to Boots, the GP has run out. GP said to go on the 31st as they should have some by then. I could just imagine all the backlog of patients. Boots had a drop in , so easy and efficient.

We had ours done at the surgery last night. Very efficient service and the nurse was able to access our records and arrange for bloods to be taken from me next week and a heart check as it's 2 years since I was diagnosed with AF with no follow up. She also did husband's BP check and looked in his ears as he's gone deaf in one - it's completely blocked with wax as is his other one so he needs them syringing but the machine is out of order at the moment. She's taken his mobile number and will text when its back. All in all we thought it was excellent service - not something we would have received from the chemist.

I had mine done this year at GP surgery but, for several years previously, I had them at the pharmacy chain with the lurid pink logo because I used to pass it every day whereas the surgery was a diversion requiring a special trip. I also had my pneumonia vaccine there. Cheerful, friendly pharmacist; efficient paperwork and no after-effects.

I had mine at Boots as usual. Very efficient, quick and painless. Absolutely no after effects.

Had mine last week at chemist after turning up for an appointment 2 weeks ago to be told there was no vaccine left and to try in November. Popped in on spec to see and they had been sent 10 only so it was first come first serve. Apart from arm feeling stiff for a day it was fine.

DH used the local chemist last year with no problem and they said they would inform the Surgery that they had done it, very good service. Due to go Friday having been put off once by Surgery so will see what happens. Seems someone has decided to bring in the new injections without having the supply line sorted out, usual British ..............

I booked with three pharmacies - all have run out of vaccine (could have let me know before I arrived!), my GP can't give me the jab until next month. I have tried other pharmacies and all are out of the vaccine and are having problems getting more supplies. As someone said - is the plan to kill off pensioners in order to save money!!!

Thank you all. Will pop in when I collect my prescription later.

Had it done weeks ago at our local pharmacy, no ill effects, quick, friendly and efficient. They notify your GP that you have been vaccinated.

DH had his done there Izabella. Very efficiently apparently. Mine is at the surgery on Saturday where no doubt there will be a long queue out of the door!

I gave done at the one in our village and had no ill effects.