flu jab
flu jab
Those of you 65 and over can now make an appointment online for their flu jab. This only applies to those who belong to the Spanish seguridad española. It is also on sale in the chemists for about 7 euros for those who prefer to do it themselves.
Re: flu jab
Does this mean any person of any age can buy this over the counter for €7 and administer themselves?
Also is it injection? i cannot picture prodding a needle into myself but i have a few friends likely love to do it.
One more thing how effective is this? i have never used anything like this...
many thanks
Also is it injection? i cannot picture prodding a needle into myself but i have a few friends likely love to do it.
One more thing how effective is this? i have never used anything like this...
many thanks
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Re: flu jab
The usual process would be to buy the vaccine at a farmacia and then make an appointment at a private clinic for the injection to be administered by a nurse.
If you are not in a high risk group where getting flu could be a real danger to your health there really is no need to have the vaccination.
If you are not in a high risk group where getting flu could be a real danger to your health there really is no need to have the vaccination.
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Re: flu jab
Even if you are not high risk, catching flu is not a good experience!
It's not so much that they don't recommend a jab, it's just that are not willing to pay for it!
It could be a very dangerous strain this year based on what has happened in other parts of the world. Of course, unless the vaccine has been formulated to match the strain, it can be less effective.
Sid
It's not so much that they don't recommend a jab, it's just that are not willing to pay for it!
It could be a very dangerous strain this year based on what has happened in other parts of the world. Of course, unless the vaccine has been formulated to match the strain, it can be less effective.
Sid
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Re: flu jab
I paid for mine to be done, hate being ill, looking after my grandchildren means I've had my share of viruses which they have brought back from nursery and school which has taken its toll on my immune system so trying to protect myself from the flue was a no brainier.
Re: flu jab
I am over in 10 days, can i walk into Farmacia and buy and bring home?
Re: flu jab
Are you saying "home" as in UK? If so Asda does it for £5 Boots around £12. Talk to your Doctor nicely and you will get it for free.
Re: flu jab
Don't forget it's also about preventing passing the virus on. You may well fight the flu off yourself but in the process you'll have passed it on to dozens including eventually the very young, old or otherwise vulnerable. Every year thousands die from flu in the U.K. alone. If you get the chance (or can pay for it), get the jab
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Re: flu jab
Yes Katy, " home in the Uk " i had it done at Sainsbury's , i didn't know that you could get it done at Asda for £5. I had one at Boots 2 years ago and it cost £15...The docs here usually only give them out for free to those most vulnerable.
Re: flu jab
One year in Spain there was no vaccine to be had. Was during the recession and they were only doing priority cases. I got the jab at a clinic in Gibraltar and it cost £25!!
Is Spain a bit late starting the jabs, or was UK too early. Had mine early Sept.
Is Spain a bit late starting the jabs, or was UK too early. Had mine early Sept.
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Re: flu jab
They don't usually start until about this time. It may be that the flu season starts earlier in the UK.
You can find out the current incidence of flu in Spain here
https://en.eltiempo.es/gripe?utm_source ... uDiffusion
Sid
You can find out the current incidence of flu in Spain here
https://en.eltiempo.es/gripe?utm_source ... uDiffusion
Sid
Re: flu jab
Despite having the jab I picked up something like flu in Antigua before Xmas. One day I had a slight tickly cough next day I felt as if I had pneumonia! Called a Doctor, got some jabs and medication and started to feel better in a couple of days but after the long flight home felt worse again. Still don't feel 100%.
Saw in Malaga Sur that flu is taking off. Interestingly one Doctor said a lot of cases don't get reported by GPs as it is too time consuming to fill in all the online details for Salud. As he says he could be treating patients instead.
Saw in Malaga Sur that flu is taking off. Interestingly one Doctor said a lot of cases don't get reported by GPs as it is too time consuming to fill in all the online details for Salud. As he says he could be treating patients instead.
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Re: flu jab
wollie said:
Just had mine done courtesy of the Andalucian health system and this year it was one of those pre-prepared syringes with a needle about 1cm long - the same size as the ones that administer (self administer) Heparin anti-coagulant into the stomach and, I believe, the same size as the ones for insulin for those who need to inject. This flu jab was done in the upper arm/shoulder and didn't hurt....honest!
i cannot picture prodding a needle into myself
Just had mine done courtesy of the Andalucian health system and this year it was one of those pre-prepared syringes with a needle about 1cm long - the same size as the ones that administer (self administer) Heparin anti-coagulant into the stomach and, I believe, the same size as the ones for insulin for those who need to inject. This flu jab was done in the upper arm/shoulder and didn't hurt....honest!
nil illegitimum carborundum
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Re: flu jab
There is a lot of evidence that this years flu jab is not very effective against the Aussie flu strain, particularly in the over 65s.
Also the dominant strain in SpaIn is not the Aussie A strain but is the B strain which is slightly less dangerous than the A strain. However the dominant B strain appears to be a Japanese strain which does not appear to be included in the standard flu jab.
So, overall it looks like the jab is going to have a very low effectiveness rate although the advice is still that it is better than nothing as even if you get flu the vaccine may help reduce the seriousness of the illness.
Flu is never a nice experience but it rarely kills you directly, it it the resultant complications that do, of which Pneumonia is the worst culprit.
What most people do not know is that there is a very effective, long term, vaccination available against Pneumonia. It is only available on the Spanish health service in just a few regions, but sadly not including Andalucia. It is, however, easily available from your local pharmacia and can be administered by the nurse at your local health centre.
The snag is the cost. It is €80 but in my opinion worth it as it will give long term protection.
Sid
Also the dominant strain in SpaIn is not the Aussie A strain but is the B strain which is slightly less dangerous than the A strain. However the dominant B strain appears to be a Japanese strain which does not appear to be included in the standard flu jab.
So, overall it looks like the jab is going to have a very low effectiveness rate although the advice is still that it is better than nothing as even if you get flu the vaccine may help reduce the seriousness of the illness.
Flu is never a nice experience but it rarely kills you directly, it it the resultant complications that do, of which Pneumonia is the worst culprit.
What most people do not know is that there is a very effective, long term, vaccination available against Pneumonia. It is only available on the Spanish health service in just a few regions, but sadly not including Andalucia. It is, however, easily available from your local pharmacia and can be administered by the nurse at your local health centre.
The snag is the cost. It is €80 but in my opinion worth it as it will give long term protection.
Sid
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