• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

The annual flu jab debate

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.

AlisonM

Much missed Moderator
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1.5 LADA
When I saw the nurse this week for my bloods she asked if I wanted to flu jab. To which I answered "no, I'm allergic to eggs remember?" "Ah" she says, "well we're getting the Baxter's (egg free) in a couple of weeks, give us call then and we'll book you in for that". "Aye but, I was told when I had this conversation with the Practice Nurse last year that I'd still have the antibodies from the 2009 jab and wouldn't need it again for five years." "Really? Well, I'll check on that and let you know what they say". "Fine" say's I.

Yesterday in the post comes a letter from the surgery. "You're on our 'at risk' register. Do you want the flu jab this year?" So I call them this morning to explain patiently once again that I'm allergic to eggs and therefore can't have the flu jab as it would kill me. Oh right, sorry about that. "Well, we're getting the Baxters in in a week or so, shall we book you in for that?" "Hmm, as I explained to the nurse on Monday, I was told last year I'd still have the antibodies and wouldn't need it. They said they'd check and get back to me.

I had a phone call a little while ago from the Practice Nurse telling me I'm on their at risk register and can I come on at 11 am on Tuesday next week for a flu jab? So I went through the whole flipping saga AGAIN! "No" she says, that's not right, "you'll need the Baxters every year". "Fine, but that's not what you told me yourself last year and I can't do mornings as I'm working, can it be an afternoon?" "Right, I'll call you to arrange something when the Baxter's is in". "OK, bye".

Is it just me or are they all daft?
 
Perhaps it's just me, but is it not on your notes you are alergic to eggs? It's daft if something so important is not there.

As for receptionists and offering morning appointments, I don't think they understand I work full time, it's not in their vocabulary...
 
oh god Alison....sounds like you are having a case of deja vu!! I really don't know what makes so many of them incompetent!

I hope someone does ring you back...but not to invite you in for a flu jab...again! just with an answer!
 
Perhaps it's just me, but is it not on your notes you are alergic to eggs? It's daft if something so important is not there.

As for receptionists and offering morning appointments, I don't think they understand I work full time, it's not in their vocabulary...

Yup, it's on the front cover of my file in large red letters. And, it's on the front page of my e-file too.
 
*sigh!* 🙄
 
Yup, it's on the front cover of my file in large red letters. And, it's on the front page of my e-file too.

ahhh...so they just can't read?! just as well you haven't got dementia (sp?)

when my nan was in hospital near the end of her life, she couldn't talk...above her bed was written that she was allergic to diary...and in her file. I lost count of the number of times I turned up and had to remove the lunch 'milkshake' left for her, or already given to her.

surely these are the simple things people should be able to get right.
 
When I saw the nurse this week for my bloods she asked if I wanted to flu jab. To which I answered "no, I'm allergic to eggs remember?" "Ah" she says, "well we're getting the Baxter's (egg free) in a couple of weeks, give us call then and we'll book you in for that". "Aye but, I was told when I had this conversation with the Practice Nurse last year that I'd still have the antibodies from the 2009 jab and wouldn't need it again for five years." "Really? Well, I'll check on that and let you know what they say". "Fine" say's I.

Yesterday in the post comes a letter from the surgery. "You're on our 'at risk' register. Do you want the flu jab this year?" So I call them this morning to explain patiently once again that I'm allergic to eggs and therefore can't have the flu jab as it would kill me. Oh right, sorry about that. "Well, we're getting the Baxters in in a week or so, shall we book you in for that?" "Hmm, as I explained to the nurse on Monday, I was told last year I'd still have the antibodies and wouldn't need it. They said they'd check and get back to me.

I had a phone call a little while ago from the Practice Nurse telling me I'm on their at risk register and can I come on at 11 am on Tuesday next week for a flu jab? So I went through the whole flipping saga AGAIN! "No" she says, that's not right, "you'll need the Baxters every year". "Fine, but that's not what you told me yourself last year and I can't do mornings as I'm working, can it be an afternoon?" "Right, I'll call you to arrange something when the Baxter's is in". "OK, bye".

Is it just me or are they all daft?

WHAT !!!!!!!!! OMG, I think my 3 yr old grandaughter Grace could do better 😉 No, ignore that last bit, I KNOW my 3yr od grandaughter would do better. Oh dear..........................................................Sheena
 
Yup, it's on the front cover of my file in large red letters. And, it's on the front page of my e-file too.

so they can't read or can't be bohered to read it in much the same was as no one listening.
 
At least they seem to have got the message that you need an egg-free vaccine. Surely you need a new vaccine every year, whether egg-free or more usual egg-based, as flu virus(es) mutate as time passes?
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top