Flu.

Oh dear. That doesn't sound good MissInterpreted!

I had the flu jab last year and got the flu really badly. Had it again this year but obvs it is not that effective, people can still get it.
Also there are many people between the ages of 55 - 65 who do not qualify for the jab and so have to pay for it, however, imho these people are still as likely to get the flu as badly as someone aged 65, and if they don't pay for it I imagine many end up in hospital. It would probably save the NHS a lot of money and save beds if the free jabs were extended to anyone over 55. Is false economy not to extend the free vaccines.

The problem is that there are several strains of flu circulating. The flu jab is a best guess as to which strains will dominate, it isn’t an exact science though. This year you’re protected against the strains in the vaccine, but not against the others.

No vaccines give 100% protection and no doubt most of those hospitalised with flu are old and frail.
Flu is horrible. One of my daughter’s entire family had it all through the Christmas holidays and it’s left my daughter exhausted.

watermeadow

No vaccines give 100% protection and no doubt most of those hospitalised with flu are old and frail.
Flu is horrible. One of my daughter’s entire family had it all through the Christmas holidays and it’s left my daughter exhausted.

According to reports I've read, many of those being hospitalised at the moment are far from being 'old and frail'. I personally know a few people who've ended up in hospital with it - they were all considerably younger than me and had no underlying health conditions either.

Flu vaccines are between 20% to 60% effective apparently.

Based on the Southern Hemisphere data, experts estimate that the Northern Hemisphere flu vaccine will reduce the risk of hospitalization due to the flu by around 35%. That's lower than the 42% seen last season, but still within the typical range.

During the Southern Hemisphere's 2024 season, flu vaccines were most effective against A(H3N2) viruses (36.5% effective) and A(H1N1)pdm09 (37.1% effective). Effectiveness against influenza B viruses was not estimated due to low circulation.

Even a vaccine with lower effectiveness can mean the difference between a mild illness and a hospital stay. Studies have shown flu vaccination lowers the risk of flu-related hospitalization by 41% in young children and 82% in adults. Vaccinated individuals who still get sick with flu are also less likely to be admitted to the ICU.

From: www.flu.com/

I have noticed that people just do not cover their noses and mouths when they are coughing or sneezing any more. Or even turn away...It's as though we never lived through the hellish Covid years...

When I was a child, I remember being taught to cough and sneeze into a handkerchief, and the little verse was "coughs and sneezes spread diseases".
And even during Covid we were asked to cough (or sneeze into the crook of our elbow if we couldn't use a tissue or handkerchief.

I don't know what is wrong with some people.

We are ussually offered one each year because of various medical problems- but they seem to be offered later each year- so i paid for youngest sons flu jab in tesco (£16) so he could get it before returning to university- yet he still caught what may been a strain of flu from his friends- he was quite bad though so i beleive could have been RSV- when he returned home in holiday i took him to drs before xmas who gave him strong antibiotics for his chest.I will make enquiries about RSV jab.

My eldest son who has his own kids to see to has been really badly with it this last week and he already has PCOD- He was given strong antibiotics for his chest infection and told to take paracetamol for the flu symptoms- but theres clearly more going around than just flu or antibiotics wouldnt be given, or even work on it.I think its the RSV than flu.

Other son at home still wear his mask when out and has since covid.Hes not really had iillness at all.

There is a report on BBC Sounds from Milton Keynes which is currently overwhelmed by flu cases. Apparently less than a third of those eligible actually had the vaccination. I am not eligible for a free one but chose to pay for it in another town although I work full time and had very limited mobility as waiting for a knee op. So yes I do think people should be more personally responsible!

Calendargirl

Just reading about how many hospitals are overwhelmed, and such a lot of flu cases.

I wonder how many of the flu victims have been vaccinated, or if they decided ‘not to bother’?

I know nothing can prevent all the different types, but surely it’s up to us to do as much as we can to protect ourselves?

What would you suggest my young friend should do.
Her, her husband and 2 sons have had a terrible couple of weeks.
She can’t work full time and her husband is on basic wage.
A flue jab for her and her family would be between £40 / £120
Any ideas 🤷‍♀️

I had my flu jab in September then caught what I assume was flu at the beginning of December; even with the jab it was enough to give me a high temperature, aches in every joint and two days in bed. I’d hate to have experienced it without the protection of the vaccine.

I've had a yearly flu jab for over 20 years.
Week before Christmas, I had flu.
Never ever had it before and I hope I never have it again.
Knocked me flat out.

Casdon

fancythat

My DH asked for a flu jab last week[dont think he qualifies under NHS]. Chemist had run out and were not necesarily expecting any more stock.
Ditto the NHS, even if he does qualify.

I believe the vaccine is always used up deliberately before Christmas, as it has a finite shelf life.

We had a problem accessing flu vaccines last winter 23/24 as the surgery refused to give them without having the Covid vaccine at the same time. As we'd just had Covid it wasn't advised to have the vaccine until later.
We had the last two at the local pharmacy.

Last autumn the surgery decided they would offer them separately if people asked.

It doesn't prevent other viruses such as the horrible sore throat and cough which was going round before Christmas.
Someone I know developed pneumonia as a result of that.

Allira

It doesn't prevent other viruses such as the horrible sore throat and cough which was going round before Christmas.
Someone I know developed pneumonia as a result of that.

I blame China. 😱

petra

You don’t say how old the children are, but school age children are eligible for the flu vaccine.

As for the parents, I agree, they don’t look to qualify, but you say the wife can’t work full time? Depending on whether you have certain medical conditions, the clinician can decide to offer the vaccine to non qualifiers. Worth checking.

We had our jabs. Have not been ill, no idea if the jab helped.

petra have a look at the link earlier. They may get at least some free.

I've got flu at the moment and have had the jab. This is obviously a strain that the jab didn't cover.

...or you would be worse without!

Get well soon.

My husband and I had the flu vaccine in November and (touch wood) we’ve been ok so far. However, we booked Covid vaccines at our local chemist, but the appts were cancelled because supplies had run out. I wonder if this because of high demand or fewer supplies? 🤔

We both had the flu Covid and RSV jabs. I think we caught something on a train from London before Xmas and have both been very ill. It may have been flu or Covid - I’ve lost my sense of smell and taste so presume it’s the latter.

My friend had the flu vaccine, but came down with flu a couple of weeks before Christmas. She said she had a bath to try to get warm, and then felt too weak to get out of it without help! She said that she could hardly lift a cup of tea to her lips. She's never felt so ill and Christmas was a complete washout for her and the family.