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Can't get flu jab

(136 Posts)
Antonia Mon 26-Oct-20 08:58:28

DH and I had texts from the surgery late September, telling us that flu jabs would take place on each Saturday in October, and that we would be given an appointment.
The four Saturdays have now gone, and no appointment for either of us. We are late sixties and mid seventies.
I tried to book a private jab at Boots, only to find that Boots appear to have run out of the vaccine.
Anyone else experienced this?

Susieq62 Mon 26-Oct-20 13:12:39

My pharmacy offered me an appointment which I accepted! Other half had an appointment at GP surgery, turned up and no evidence of him having booked but it was on our calendar!! They gave him the jab !!!
We are in Bradford and cannot complain about our health service here!!

Nonamedone Mon 26-Oct-20 13:12:49

I never wait for the letter I just ask for a nurses appointment in the middle of October to get blood pressure and blood tests done,while I'm there she always says she will give me my flu jab while I'm there .

yellowcanary Mon 26-Oct-20 13:17:50

At my last appointment with my diabetic nurse in September she said when flu jabs were coming there would be Saturday appointments - I had a text about 2 weeks later, rang up and the earliest appointment would be about the second week of November. I should have been away then (since cancelled because of the Welsh lockdown), so made an appointment at my local Lloyds chemist - had it done about two weeks ago now. Apart from his cold hands it didn't even hurt like some do smile

I think only once since I have been diagnosed diabetic I have had it done in the surgery, usually go to the chemist where it is still free as I am entitled to it. You only have to pay if you request it I believe, if you don't pay in the surgery you don't pay in the chemist (might be wrong).

Foxyferret Mon 26-Oct-20 13:23:03

We get ours on Saturday, phoned surgery, got booked in and one week later got jabbed. Straight in the front door, jabbed then out the back door. Never been so fast at the doctors. Reading the posts, I think we are very lucky.

lemongrove Mon 26-Oct-20 13:27:47

It must depend on the area/surgery where you live.I could have had one a fortnight ago but chose not to.The surgery rang me last Saturday and said could I come in on Tues (tomorrow) and have one done, so I will do.
DH had one a fortnight ago with no ill effects.

keeno Mon 26-Oct-20 13:33:42

South East.
Our surgery rang and gave my husband and me an appointment for our flu jabs.
I rang the day before to confirm but said we were worried, we'd been shielding, OH 77 and very poorly, and we'd not been out since March.
She assured it would be ok.
We went, very busy area, only ones wearing masks, only to be turned away at the surgery door -AS THEY ONLY HAD VACCINES FOR UNDER 65's!
Put us both at risk for nothing. Disgusted.

marionk Mon 26-Oct-20 13:56:44

Got a prompt to make an appointment from our surgery and had the jabs done a while back, no problem

dumdum Mon 26-Oct-20 14:02:57

Just a note to say formulation for under 65s is different to over 65s. Some don’t seem aware of this...or they don’t mention their age!

LynneH Mon 26-Oct-20 14:03:27

We didn’t need the prescription; just went straight to the local pharmacy

Tickledpink Mon 26-Oct-20 14:14:53

Booked one at Asda for this week.

RosesAreRed21 Mon 26-Oct-20 14:48:07

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

RosesAreRed21 Mon 26-Oct-20 14:49:50

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

Beanie654321 Mon 26-Oct-20 15:15:31

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.

Lulubelle500 Mon 26-Oct-20 15:39:32

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!

Gwenisgreat1 Mon 26-Oct-20 15:41:36

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.

Millieangel Mon 26-Oct-20 15:45:41

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??

Maremia Mon 26-Oct-20 16:21:34

Dumdum, interesting information. Thanks.

Rosalyn69 Mon 26-Oct-20 16:42:52

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.

hallgreenmiss Mon 26-Oct-20 16:44:40

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!

ChrisK Mon 26-Oct-20 16:46:02

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!!

DotMH1901 Mon 26-Oct-20 17:27:28

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

BassGrammy Mon 26-Oct-20 18:43:30

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.

granh2 Mon 26-Oct-20 18:45:20

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.

tidyskatemum Mon 26-Oct-20 18:55:06

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.

Glenfinnan Mon 26-Oct-20 19:02:22

Try Tesco or Asda