Can't get flu jab

Got mine at boots back in September my husband and daughter in law got hers in October at the Dr and my son got his in a walk in at Superdrug. Our 3 yr old grandson gets his Wednesday at the Dr. So all will be done then

Local Authority NHS letter arrived on 18th Sept to make Flu Jab appointments. Phoned immediately, held on 20 minutes and then through all the recorded 'blurb', before it telling me to 'Hang Up'! Next, I messaged to the given text number. Reply received on 24th Sept, saying I'll be sent appointments 'next week and plenty of slots'. Nothing came. Then I read on Facebook that the Text requests had been 'Lost', but there was nothing on our Surgery's own website except 'DO NOT CALL US REGARDING FLU VACCINES'. So, undaunted, I phoned letter number again - same old rigmarole, ending with the abrupt 'Please Hang Up!' message. I then sent a request to the email address on the original letter and got an immediate reply stating that, since 1st October, this was no longer the correct email address!!! How was I to know that? It stated that my request had been passed on to the new one however. This was now 15th October! (Several friends who applied after me by email, had their vaccinations done by the end of September.) Where was I going wrong? Suddenly, on 18th October, I received a TEXT to say 'you now have appointments on 6th November' - 7 weeks after my original request! Also I wonder: What has happened to my email request AND how did they retrieve my phone number to text me after all? Apparently they had sent out over 70,000 letters on the SAME DAY, then couldn't cope with the flood of calls, texts and emails.

Read today that, with most people wearing masks, they'll be very little flu this year. I worked for nhs for over 30 yeats, never had flu jab, never had flu.

Antonia

NotAGran55 thank you for your reply. I have had a text from the surgery, saying they acknowledge that we haven't been able to access the flu jab yet, but that we will be called in when they have more supplies. And thank you all for your interesting comments.

Ah that’s good news . I hope that it won’t be too much longer for you .

NotAGran55 thank you for your reply. I have had a text from the surgery, saying they acknowledge that we haven't been able to access the flu jab yet, but that we will be called in when they have more supplies. And thank you all for your interesting comments.

We had an unsolicited call from the doctors giving us an appointment which we had last Sunday, but my friend who is 72 and her mother who is 98 can’t get one. We live in North Essex, they are in Northampton.

I had a text from my surgery in August inviting me to call to make an appointment for the flu jab . No health issues and I had it 4 days after my 65th birthday. A couple of weeks later I was offered the pneumonia jab and had it the following day .

I would have thought that you would have to contact your surgery to make an appointment Antonia ?

No one can talk to the receptionist in person they have locked themselves away.Everything is phone consultation expect fluid appointments and if you wait to get through you are 81.I have given up and go private now for my consultation

I tried every where after going online to my GP who had no appointments till 22nd November for over 65 and to ring if under. 3 minutes of listening to waffle, the receptionist gave me an appointment for 31st October and 7th November for my parents. So simple after 24 hours of worry as no vaccines ?‍♀️

When trying to get through to any kind of agency I always try phoning just after a would be lunch hour. Doesn't seem to have the mad rush of calls as the morning and generally get through easier.

Try Tesco or Asda

I got a text from the GP’s surgery inviting me for a flu jab. I got it done the same day, sharing an appointment with my DH. On the other hand, I got another text inviting me for a pneumonia jab, which is coming up tomorrow, some 2 weeks later. They said DH wasn’t eligible yet as he’s 65 and jabs are being given strictly by age cohort, although he’s always had a free flu jab due to asthma.

Be more pro active. I too was waiting for a letter that didn't arrive. I found out on line when a flu clinic was being held, at a church hall, and just turned up. Both my husband and myself (both in late 70s ) were given a jab, no questions asked.

I was really lucky and got appointments at Boots for DH and myself on the week they started doing flu jabs. Quick and easy and avoided the cattle market we have experienced in the past at the GPS, although I suspect they had that better organised this year. My daughter can’t get one anywhere.

I had mine done at ASDA pharmacy - no problem getting an appointment either.

Had an invitation from our surgery via text messsage, it was very short notice (end of September), so couldn't make it, kept ringing surgery with no joy, put our names on waiting list both there and local pharmacy, eventually got ours Friday before last, thank goodness, unfortunately dh had a bad reaction and was ill with flu like symptoms all last week, not for first time either! You couldn't make it up!!

Happened to me last year, surgery ran out, (I’m 71 now), so I got one free at Boots. This year, I booked at Boots and got 3 invitations to attend walk-in sessions at location fire stations!

Husband and I both rang up our surgery and got appointments. We have both had them now. Worked very well. Just two people in the big waiting area. I was very pleased with how well set up they were.

Dumdum, interesting information. Thanks.

Both my Sister & I had our flu jab at Boots. Great service with no problems whatsoever. The same day, I returned home to a message on my answerphone from the Doctors, did I want a flu jab!!
You couldn't make it up could you??

I had a doctors face to face appointment last Monday, she said it would be safer for me to have the injection while I was there, so that was me done! Yes, phone your surgery.

My local pharmacy phoned as soon as the vaccine came in (last month). I went in when next passing - no appointment, no waiting, easy. Once you're on the list, you're on the list!

I had mine free of charge at local pharmacy 3 weeks ago. Im a diabetic and over 60. My husband was refused as he has no health reason but also over 60. He spoke to his GP who informed him that they had not received their vaccines hes heard nothing since. If over 60 you shouldn't have to pay. They had plenty of over 65 vaccines.

Working in a Dr surgery for many years they wouldn’t have time to phone everyone and offer an appt - I would suggest you giving them a ring and I bet you will get an appt then - good luck

I’ve been lucky and had mine at our local chemist