Hi ProfBaw,

I'm not sure if you have tried your local Superdrug (if you have one), but they offer a free walk-in flu jab service for at-risk groups. Boots also have a similar service that is bookable. If these routes don't work for you, perhaps try your GP or NHS 111 for advice about other options locally to you.

Wishing you all the best,

Ben
Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi.  Yeah, tried everywhere. She managed to get her pneumonia shot via the chemo nurse badgering her gp.  But the flu shot is the illusive one.  No idea why all these adverts in the media pressing home "get your flu shot" when the people who really need one can't get one.

Feel completely and utterly defeated.

Hello there

I am one of the helpline nurses and I am sorry to hear about your wife's situation and the difficulty she is having locating a flu vaccine.

I appreciate this must be such a stressful time for you and it is understandably frustrating that despite all your efforts no where seems to be able to offer a flu vaccine to your wife.

As you say the flu jab is usually given generally in the community through GP surgeries or pharmacies. If you aren't aware there are 2 types of flu vaccine one for the under 65's and one for the over 65's, so I am wondering if they have run out of the over 65's and there is currently a shortage in your area.

It is also my understanding that deliveries can be extremely slow so do keep checking with your surgery and pharmacies in the hope that one may be available soon.

I'm sorry we can't be of more help to you in this instance but do get back in touch if you would like to or have further questions.

Wishing you and your wife all the best

Naomi

Thank you for your response. She's 51, so it would be the under 65 one she would require.

A small update and for anyone whoever finds themselves in a similar position. We contacted our local MSP (local Scottish MP) and he contacted our local healthboard. We now have a vaccination date, locally for next Wednesday.  I thought i'd never see the day I'd have to contact a local mp, but yeah, he came through big time for us. 

On a bit of a side note, It's been an eye opener how badly these things are handled from the bottom up.  The Nurses at the hospital in Edinburgh have been a Godsend and they too helped us to try and locate a site which could provide a vaccination.  Don't be fooled that having cancer opens more doors for you, it doesn't.  For the hospital to give out their own supplies, you have to be considered immunosuppressed.  Because she has yet to receive treatment, she isn't currently in that category. I don't get all this bureaucracy. But it makes no sense that the hospital is under guidelines that they have to be immediate danger before they'll give her a vaccination that she needs so she wouldn't be put in danger.  Call me old-fashioned, but prevention is better than cure.