I have just been refused a flu vaccine with Boots the chemist as I had a double mastectomy. The lymph nodes were removed from just one side and I have used the other arm only for any injection since. However this is their policy, so I was told. I do not know who to inform to put Boots right on this subject. Coping with breast cancer is bad enough without coming away from a simple flu jab feeling like a fragile being.
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Blimey @futuretwo that’s madness. I have my jabs in my left arm after my right mastectomy and full lymph node clearance and, now, lymphoedema.
I’d email Boots CEO - you can Google for details.
Can your GP do your jab or do you have another brand of pharmacy you can go to? I tend to use Well as my local branch is 50m away! Never a problem - well, there was when the pharmacist tried to give me flu and Covid but I refuse to have both in the same arm at the same time. But that’s another story!
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
PS I’d also ask why no having any boobs makes a difference. Not that it does. Do they refuse to give to men on the same basis? On a roll now… I’d use the word discrimination.
You obviously had to deal with a fool.
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I’m thinking they have possibly had a problem in the past and this is reflected in their policy . However I would first clarify with them and just make sure that they have fully understood that all your lymph nodes are present on one side so there’s no risk of lymphoedema providing they use that arm . At the end of the day they are just a Chemist and since COVID I know there have been some problems with vaccinations both due to inexperienced staff doing them and also the sheer volume of vaccinations for various conditions has led to a few mistakes being made and not just be Chemists so they may now be over cautious and have decided to refuse anyone who isn’t what they see as straightforward . They’re making money by being paid to vaccinate people who aren’t eligible for jabs on the NHS so they can probably afford to be picky . Perhaps you could have word with your surgery or try elsewhere you could also contact your BCN or the Nurses on the helpline - they may be able to send you some literature or something that you could show wvto support your case . Xx
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@futuretwo So sorry you have had something else to deal with, I know this can be a problem a friend has all her jab in the leg, maybe worth thinking about.
Hugs Tili 
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To be honest I’ve only had a couple of lymph nodes removed under each arm (as I had bilateral tumours), not full clearance. Makes getting vaccines tricky, however I just didn’t mention it to the pharmacy so I could get the flu jab. No problems. Previously I was told I’d have to go to the GP as there might be a slightly different vaccine which could be administered in my leg, which I did. And don’t get me started on taking blood pressure!
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Going on from what @Tili and @sunlover100 said about vaccinations in the leg . A couple of years ago I spoke to a friend who is a Nurse and gives vaccinations in flu clinics about this and they are trained to give vaccinations in the arms only - if she were on vaccination duty I know she would have given you your jab in your preferred arm but she would not do it in your leg . As has been suggested you might have to make special arrangements with your surgery or similar if you wanted to use your leg though I have heard of a couple of people using their legs . It shouldn’t be too difficult to find someone to do it in your arm - sometimes they have to be dissuaded !
If you work is there any way you could get your jab via work ? Xx
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