For the last couple of years me and hubby have joined the queue for any spare flu jabs going. I was told today by the nurse at the GP surgery that as I’ve had cancer I am entitled to a flu jab anyway, even though I am in remission and not elderly or asthmatic or the other risk factors, etc.
So check it out everyone, those who have not had a flu jab yet. (Obviously not good for those undergoing treatment as you’ve no resistance to the innoculation but you probably dont read these posts anyway -yet!)
Just in case anyone still getting treatment reads t his - you can still get flu jab even on chemo (I had mine) - these days it is not a live vaccine so its not a problem to get it - usually best to time it in the ‘good week’ of chemo tho. Being a nurse I always got offered it every year but generally didnt bother - I did this year tho.
My GP advised me to have a flu jab, but told me to ask my onc. Although I’m undergoing chemo my oncologist was enthusiastic and we agreed hat the day I had my bloods done wold be a good time. The timing is important though. The flu vaccine isn’t ‘live’ so should hold no problems.
Thanks Fiona, I hadn’t realise it was safe to have a flu jab whilst undergoing chemo although I seem to have vague memories of having one but am very glad to know that I now automatically qualify even tho technically ‘well’!
intereting… I heard that recent cancer patients should have a flu jab but when i said about this o my BC nurse she said not to bother about it…think I might hav a chat with my GP about it…
I have had a flu jab every years since diagnosis, but last year still in remission my GP wouldn’t give me one free. This year with a recurrence I could have got one free but missed the last clinic so paid anyway at a local travle centre. (£15 this year, down from £20 last year.)
Well i have never had a flu jab and until last year when i had had chemo have never been offered one.
I refused it and never got flu. This year have not been offered it.
Bloomin disgusting you had to pay Jane.
I actually feel very virusy just now,hope its not flu.
Just come back from having flu jab. I spoke to the surgery nurse and she said it is more of a personal decision by the nurse/GP involved, which is borne out by Jane’s appalling experience above. Shocking and shameful. My nurse said she would be happy to always give me a flu jab. (It’s Shenington surgery in oxfordshire if anyone wants to transfer there!)
Just to clarify…I paid this year because it was more convenient for me than waiting a week or two for a doctors’ appointment. I had kept forgetting to book in at the GPs clinic.
There are lots of things to get uptight about the NHS but this wasn’t one of them. Nothing shocking and shameful has happened to me!