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

People who have to ask the difference between flu and a heavy cold have never had flu!

our surgery has a Flu Jab clinic in the morning for over 65s I am due to go if DIL is available to give me a lift . I had studied the bus timetable but getting a lift will be so much better

I had mine a couple of weeks ago but my friend went yesterday and they had run out in most of the chemists in my area well all the ones she tried and said it would be November when they could next do them

We had the 3 in 1 for the over 65s today. Our pharmacist who is excellent said the 4 in 1 is not appropriate for us but the 3 in 1 is.

I too am allergic to some penicillin but so far I have had no ill effects. She made us stay in Boots and she had the Epi-pens ready in case either of us had a reaction.

She also said there was a shortage of the jabs and sometime next week she would run out ?

I had the flu in the early part of this year, it knocked me off my feet completely and utterly, in bed for ten days, and I am a tough old bird, heavy cold, I just blow my nose a lot?

How can you tell the difference between flu and a heavy cold??

I'm going for my first-ever flu vac today. I'm not old enough (yet!) to have it on the NHS so am paying for it in Boots. Dh is going to get it too, as our local practice seems so disorganised that it looks like he'll never get it from them.

From what I've read, the situation in Scotland is driven not by clinical need but because the NHS powers-that-be left ordering it until the last minute and they're now having to juggle whatever stock they can come up with.

I've had a bit of a headache since my jab, but nothing worse. And I might have had a headache anyway!

I had mine yesterday (I'm in England). It was the new vaccine for 65+, which I was told would give bettter protection at my age (70). I am allergic to penicillin but that wasn't a problem (though eggs might be). I was told there might be more of a local reaction at the site this time, and certainly had a bit of a sore arm the rest of the day, but that's nothing compared with flu!

I had my flu jab on Monday and had the over 65s Fluad; according to the nurse this is the most beneficial one as it helps boost your immunity. I did notice it stung and I’ve got a sore red lump now, something I don’t usually get.

I've had a look around the internet and have found this info:
This year there are 3 types of vaccines available, one for children from age 2 to year 5 infant school, one for aged 18-65 at risk adults, this is a 4 in 1 jab- protects against 4 different strains of flu, and the last vaccine , a 3 in 1 jab is for 65 and over, which includes the over 75 age group. The 3 in 1 has a compound in it that should help trigger an immune reaction to the flu virus...... important because the older you get, the slower your immune system is.
Just one point, the vaccines do not stop you getting the flu, they help your body to build up an immune resistance, so that should you get the flu, it should not be as bad or as debilitating as it would be without the jab.
Hope this helps you to make the decision to have the jab.

Things seem to be different north of the border

www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/16956672.letters-curious-case-of-flu-vaccines-for-older-people/

See

www.gov.uk/government/news/new-flu-vaccine-available-this-winter-for-those-aged-65-and-over

Here the over 65s were given the new formula vaccine and under 65s - ie vulnerable people with asthma or other breathing problems - were given the normal one. My friend was told she couldn't have the new vaccine because she is allergic to penicillin; but although I am also allergic to penicillin and this was the same practice, the same morning, I was not told about this and fortunately have survived.

I have Jalima but thank you for the suggestion. I too would like to know more about it all-need our GN GPs to explain it all!

ps DH was given a one-off pneumonia vaccine a couple of years ago - have you been offered that if you have chest problems?

I knew there was a separate vaccine for over 75s as apparently the normal flu vaccine has been found not to be effective in older people. Apart from that I don't know much about it - except for the fact that the over 75s vaccine is a live one and could make some people feel slightly ill.

It would be interesting to find out more.