Swine Flu vaccination

Midget Man · Post by **Midget Man** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 12:54 pm

Wow, was preparing for a battle with the surgery receptionist's again this morning but never got one

They asked "why is he priority ?" so I explained that he has heart disease and is asthmatic and she said Wednesday at 0855hrs

I couldn't believe it after being told on Friday they could NOT book me in without first having received a letter and couldn't even tell me if one had even been sent yet, a little relief has now been lifted off my shoulder's!

Pencilone · Post by **Pencilone** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 11:48 am

Is it possible to buy the vaccine privately? My parents are living with us for a few months and they are high risk (elderly with heart disease and diabetes) but because they are not British citizens they have been refused the swine jags at our local medical centre. I don't know what to do and where to ask. Anyone has any ideas?

Post by **hermanmunster** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 2:08 pm

Hi Pencilone

Good question ! I am not sure of the answer but will hunt around. The seasonal flu vacc can be bought privately at boots / asda etc etc -

also at the practice we give seasonal flu vacc to people who are temporary residents with us - having said that they would have normally had the vac at their own surgery (in the UK) but for one reason or another are away for a while.

As far as I know the whole of the H1N1 vaccine output as it arrived in the UK was that ordered by the DoH / NHS and hence belongs to them and can't be sold on. It is possible that there are some clinics running who are importing it from europe - that is the only source I can think of.

Update: private clinics definitely can't order off the DoH

Midget Man · Post by **Midget Man** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 5:50 pm

Well my son(reluctantly) had the 1st pasr of his sf vaccination this morning and went straight to school with no adverse affect's whatsoever which is great as I was worried. A little boy who lives in our area died a few day's ago from suspected sf, I can't even begin to imagine what his family must be going through right now but my thought's are with them x

inkypinkyponky · Post by **inkypinkyponky** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 7:41 pm

Pencilone wrote:Is it possible to buy the vaccine privately?

I was in Bluewater shopping centre on monday and I noticed a large poster in Boots stating that the swine flu jab could be given for Â£12. The advice was to go to the pharmacy for further info.

Don't know if this is a nationwide thing, but might be worth asking at your local Boots, or maybe a large regional one?

Post by **hermanmunster** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 7:57 pm

Would be very useful if they did!! Have tried googling but only came up with the usual seasonal flu vacc. I wonder if they are GOING to offer this when there is more vaccine available - we are still getting regular info about how the programme is being rolled out. Likely in a while that there will be enough available to offer it in Boots etc.

Only doc I know who had the swine flu vacc had a week off sick!

surreymum · Post by **surreymum** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 8:24 pm

I know plenty of people who have been fine

Post by **hermanmunster** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 8:27 pm

hermanmunster wrote: Only doc I know who had the swine flu vacc had a week off sick!

Yep - agreed the patients seem fine !!!!