Can anyone shed light on this year’s flu vaccine?

jalima it was a very interesting piece of research from Surrey Uni. Pint of Science is a national programme where researchers give presentations of their work in pubs. Look out for it next year.

I doubt that reliance on handwashing and bacterial wipes would have eradicated smallpox, reduced incidences of polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, measles and other diseases.

However, influenza is different in that new strains emerge and mutate.

That's very interesting PECS (re the anti-bodies)

I love your world * Gabriella* .. so organised and almost perfection!

It still makes sense to do the hand-washing etc because a flu jab doesn't protect you from the common cold. Those who refuse the flu jab, or can't have it for some mdical reason, should take extra care, but they will also enjoy a degree of "herd immunity" bestowed on them by those of us who have our jabs and keep the incidence of flu in the population down overall. I think we're very fortunate to have the vaccine; if. no one had the jab and we all just relied on washing and disinfecting, there would be much worse outbreaks with serious complications for many old, young and vulnerable people.

I went to an interesting Pint of Science presentation earlier this year about the research into how/ why the ability to fight/ recover from infections changes as we age. Apparenty our bodies get less efficient of getting rid of the
defunct antibodies after an infection so next time we get something the body produces fewer antibodies as it thinks there are sufficient..even though the old ones are no longer working properly!

I had my 'flu jab yesterday, and now have a tender, raised lump on my arm. There are already shortages of the vaccine in our area too.

As I'm unable to have the spray up the nose that they give children because it's only licensed for under 18s, and the nurses will not give the jab anywhere other than the arm I will be refusing it this year. I cannot afford another frozen shoulder!!! I haven't fully recovered from the last one following the flu jab.

I'm super careful of handwashing in bug season (winter) and shop in early morning before stores are crowded. I do carry bacterial wipes for supermarket trolley handles and use automatic doors where possible. As soon as I get home, I wash my hands and face with soap.
I find those simple steps help to keep me healthy, not jabs.

I had my flu jab in September, text from Surgery to remind me to make appointment. I am 63 & have Epilepsy & Type 2 Diabetes. At my Surgery it was under 65 to the left, over 65 to the right. I had a sore arm for a few days but this happens most years. I have been having the flu jab for about 8 years now.

I had my pneumonia jab 7 years ago, I still contracted pneumonia 3 years ago & spent 5 weeks in Hospital. I can't afford to contract flu as I live on my own (widow) & have twice had flu when my DD was school age.

Well, the GPs cannot expect to earn anything unless they maintain their stock of vaccine.

Just like a supermarket they are expected to fulfill the requirements of their customers.

Our GP has a yellow page of A3 paper posted with 12pt text that we’re all expected to read. It’s just one long excuse explaining why we must all be patient.

I decided to reduce the GP’s workload instead.

If you have your jabs at the chemists ,they get paid for it just like your Doctors do ,so your depriving you surgery of much needed funds.

You would know when you have the flu, you wont be able to lift your head off the pillow. In all the years I was married to my late husband (43) only twice was he confined to bed with illness and both times it was the flu.Flu knocks the stuffing out of you for quite a few weeks after.I always have a smirk to myself when someone says to me "oh I had the flu last week" I say to myself oh yes,ha ha.

Tesco pharmacist absolutely fine as was Boots previously. Had one at Lloyds Chemists some years ago who took me into side room and instructed me to take my top off! I refused as I was wearing my normal 'flu jab short sleeved top' and he made sure it really hurt. Heck of a bruise so went back to complain to be told that he 'is just a locum'!

Have been having 'flu jabs for years and for the first time this year I have a slightly swollen and itchy arm. I was 75 in August.

We went to see the doctor last Friday and we received our flu vaccination prescriptions with advice not to go to the pharmacist to have then until the temperature cools down quite a bit. Been in the 30s this week so hopefully it will be cooler soon as the prescriptions are only valid for a month.

Tesco’s pharma did a great job this year, except for their triplicated paperwork.

My GP was hopeless.

We were booked at Boots. Pharmacist running late with previous couple. Saw young pharmacist appear from consulting room and run round shop looking panicked. He was getting a bottle of water. Woman appeared looking white as a sheet clutching the water. We gave up and came home. Will book in at surgery instead for a qualified nurse! Were we over reacting, have others found pharmacists to be ok?

Had mine yesterday , no idea which one ! It was a case of next please , left arm , thank you bye ! so no chance to ask which . Can't find the place on my arm , so seems no reaction so far

Both myself and the OH had the one off pneumonia injection this year despite not having breathing or chest problems. Seems they are giving to all people 70 to 75 (I think thats the age range) As for the flu injection will get around to it sometime when not so busy.

Our local practice had to postpone the mass vaccination day for a week because they hadn't got hold of stocks on time. But hundreds of us queued up and were duly jabbed.

Would just emphasise by repeating what Suedonim has said. When you have the 'flu jab (whichever type), the protection does not kick in for about a fortnight afterwards. Cannot get flu or a cold, etc from this jab, but as your immune system may be working hard, anything you have picked up before getting the jab, may make you feel unwell.
There does seem to be some shortages of the over-65's vaccine, no idea why. The chemist where I normally have mine each year has not even contacted me yet - but I did get it done at the pharmacy at my local Sainsbury, and they said they were running out fast. Had no effect at all from it, not even a slightly sore arm.
I live by myself and really fear getting influenza. Nothing at all like a cold, heavy or otherwise. Just feeling so very ill and unable to move or get out of bed. Getting to my en-suite toilet feels virtually impossible.
Must say, have not had flu since I started having these jabs each year.

I enquired about the “new” vaccine at my surgery for my DH who is diabetic and was told they only have supplies of the old one and are unlikely to get the new one this winter as supplies have run out. Incidentally we have to wait 2 weeks for an appointment to have the flu jab We live in Wales

You cannot get flu from the flu jab. Any symptoms post-jab will either be your body's immune system kicking in or a cold/flu you picked up before the protection has had a chance to work.

The jab doesn't provide protection until 2-3 weeks afterwards so it's very possible to pick up a bug in that time.

I had my jab a week ago - the 3 in 1 as I'm over 65 - at the walk-in clinic that my dr's practice hold twice around this time of year. Last year, I was the only person in there (I arrived just after they opened) but this year it was packed - I think that a lot of people were ill last winter, and are taking no chances..!
They were very well organised - an assembly line of nurses and doctors giving the jabs and two receptionists to marshall the crowds
My arm was sore for 24 hours (I don't usually get any reaction) but nothing apart from that - well worth it for something that could save my life (I have asthma, so could really do without a chest infection). I appreciate our NHS so much...!!!