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I was worried about when I will be able to get a flu jab at the GP surgery this year because of them being busy with Covid etc. So just to let everyone know Boots have now opened their bookings for flu jabs and they are NHS free if you’re in a flu jab priority group or a charge if you’re not in the priority group. I was able to book mine for as early as September 17th but the slots are booking fast.
A few years ago, I gave up with my surgery for flu jabs as they were so disorganised. You have to book but they only offer Saturdays and they don't have as many appointments as people entitled to get the shots so you have to be very fast to get a slot.
Thankfully, my local pharmacy provides them (foc for those with diabetes and the like). They are at the bottom of my street and, usually, I can just walk in during a work tea break (I am a long time home worker).
During the pandemic, you had to book to avoid too many people in the shop but it was still more organised and convenient than the GP surgery.
My (annoyingly) healthy partner has also started getting his flu jab there.
I was worried about when I will be able to get a flu jab at the GP surgery this year because of them being busy with Covid etc. So just to let everyone know Boots have now opened their bookings for flu jabs and they are NHS free if you’re in a flu jab priority group or a charge if you’re not in the priority group. I was able to book mine for as early as September 17th but the slots are booking fast.
Many thanks for the heads up. I didn't realise they were taking bookings. I gave up going to the surgery as it was so difficult getting an appointment. I went to Boots last year for the first time, it was so convenient and are open at weekends, which meant I didn't have to take time off work. I now have an appointment for Sep 18. Thank you.
A few years ago, I gave up with my surgery for flu jabs as they were so disorganised. You have to book but they only offer Saturdays and they don't have as many appointments as people entitled to get the shots so you have to be very fast to get a slot.
Thankfully, my local pharmacy provides them (foc for those with diabetes and the like). They are at the bottom of my street and, usually, I can just walk in during a work tea break (I am a long time home worker).
During the pandemic, you had to book to avoid too many people in the shop but it was still more organised and convenient than the GP surgery.
My (annoyingly) healthy partner has also started getting his flu jab there.
I don't know if this is just another rumour, but I was told yesterday that the flu jab was being combined with the COVID booster for over 50's and vulnerable people. The person who told me this said they would not have it because both made her ill, and she did not want to be made twice as ill. Anybody else heard this rumour?
I don't know if this is just another rumour, but I was told yesterday that the flu jab was being combined with the COVID booster for over 50's and vulnerable people. The person who told me this said they would not have it because both made her ill, and she did not want to be made twice as ill. Anybody else heard this rumour?
My understanding is that there are two jabs, flu and Covid to be given at the same time but one in each arm. I decided to have them at different times. I have booked the flu jab and will now wait to hear about Covid booster.
I don't know if this is just another rumour, but I was told yesterday that the flu jab was being combined with the COVID booster for over 50's and vulnerable people. The person who told me this said they would not have it because both made her ill, and she did not want to be made twice as ill. Anybody else heard this rumour?
Neither am I , and I have not heard any reports with safety of having the 2 together. I know they said they were going to do trails.
My GP is not part of the Covid vaccine program anyway.
My GP surgery hasn’t been doing jabs either, they are been held at the larger health centres in my area so I wouldn’t get both jabs at the same time anyway.
There seems to be a lot of uncertainty and speculation.
I think that's because no one knows. The article from the government which I posted above says it "could" and "may" offer covid boosters and it was published 10 days ago.
Just because doctor's surgeries did not offer covid vaccines earlier in the year doesn't mean they won't in the future.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines requires them to be stored in special conditions but other vaccines such as Astra Zeneca do not and it does not look as if any decisions have been made as to which vaccines will/could/may be offered for the booster but it could be one that requires no special storage so can be stored with the flu jabs in any surgery that offers flu jabs.
My plan is to wait until decisions have been made and wait for my surgery to know what they are going to be doing. As no decisions have been made by the government/NICE/NHE, I am absolutely confident GPs surgeries don't know today.
I have a summer to enjoy (with some covid protection) rather than worry what may or may not be in the autumn.
There seems to be a lot of uncertainty and speculation.
I think that's because no one knows. The article from the government which I posted above says it "could" and "may" offer covid boosters and it was published 10 days ago.
Just because doctor's surgeries did not offer covid vaccines earlier in the year doesn't mean they won't in the future.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines requires them to be stored in special conditions but other vaccines such as Astra Zeneca do not and it does not look as if any decisions have been made as to which vaccines will/could/may be offered for the booster but it could be one that requires no special storage so can be stored with the flu jabs in any surgery that offers flu jabs.
My plan is to wait until decisions have been made and wait for my surgery to know what they are going to be doing. As no decisions have been made by the government/NICE/NHE, I am absolutely confident GPs surgeries don't know today.
I have a summer to enjoy (with some covid protection) rather than worry what may or may not be in the autumn.
That's interesting. Last year we got a text from the surgery to ring for an appointment, but we spent a couple of days ringing with no answer. So I rang our pharmacy on the off chance and they said, Oh yes, come in today if you like...
Might do that again this year - there is no sign of our surgery opening its Fort Knox door at the moment for anything.
Likewise for mine, today.
But things often change, especially with the pandemic.
So, I am not drawing any conclusions for what is going to happen with boosters in the autumn because no one knows.
Like @grovesy, I’m having an asthma review at the surgery shortly, so I’ll get the lowdown then, as the nurse is the one who would be giving my flu jab.
