They are late this year and I am still waiting for the Health Fund to get the flu shots in. If they are not in this week I will buy one privately - assuming that the pharmacies have them in stock. I was wondering what the situation is in other countries.
We didn't get a reminder this year, so I asked about it when we picked up our prescriptions, and the receptionist said, 'Could you make 4pm. this afternoon?'. This would have been about a month ago. I believe that in the US, they have had a different 2-part vaccine this year, which seems to have made some people ill for a few of days afterwards. I haven't heard of anyone being offered that vaccine in the UK though.
I have just spoken to Shula, our nurse, and she said that they are not in yet. I will wait until Thursday [next clinic day] and if they are still not in I will ask Amit if he can get one for me from a pharmacy as I think it is just too risky to wait any longer. Shula did say that as soon as they were in she would come and give me the shot, as she does for all those who cannot or have difficulties in going to the clinic, but how much longer will it be? She has no idea.
As of yesterday the Health Fund had still not sent supplies to our clinic, but what with the balagan this week everything has been postponed/delayed. Shula was at the clinic yesterday but not the doctor - hopefully things will get back to normal next week. If not then Amit will pick one up from a pharmacy for me as it is far too risky to wait much longer.
It will Chris... until the next time - and tbh I am more worried about not having had the flu shot yet than I am about the situation!
I never get the flu shot anymore. I got it once. I GOT THE FLU THAT YEAR!! Haven't had the flu otherwise. I am more prepared to potentially battle the flu than get the flu shot AND GET THE FLU.
Unfortunately, Myra, as you get older the less able you are to battle these viruses so the shot can be the difference between life and death. It may not totally stop the flu, but if you are unlucky enough to get it, it lessens the impact
We had a really bad flu a few years ago. The vaccination was said to have had a less than 20% efficacy nationwide. There was a new strain of flu apparently. More people died from it than ever before. My dad, who is a diabetic and considered a "risk group" was vaccinated that year and still came down with a BAD flu. Also, I have never heard that the shot helps you FIGHT the flu. From what I know, the shot can only prevent certain strains of influenza.
Yay - Shula has just been round and given me the flu shot! Very late this year but better late than never, but I am still keeping well clear of people for a few days to give this thing time to be effective.
Too right Chris, too right. I tried to call the surgery on Monday afternoon but could not get through so called again this morning and Shula almost screeched "it is here, it is here"! And shortly afterwards so was she - and where was I? In the loo, of course! Anyhow she unhooked the rope across the doorway so she could come in - Tikva was doing her excited "friend, friend" bark and by the time I had gotten into the salon Shula had the shot all ready to stick it in my arm. Apparently the shots were only delivered to the clinic this morning - one of the disadvantages of the clinic only being open for a couple of hours twice a week, having to share a peripatetic doctor and nurse with other Moshavim and Kibbutzim in the area, means that we were down the queue for our supply.