Over 65s Miss Out On 2018 Quadruple Flu Jab

My 2017 blood test shows my Neutrophil Count as 1.6, and the 'normal range' as 2 - 7.5.
I don't want to have any injections, even if they were free.

 

My neutrophils are as often as not low enough to be marked as "abnormal". My GP discussed this with me and said that some people just do have low neutrophils without it causing them any problems. This is particularly the case with certain ethnicities (not mine). Some of the meds I am taking could be causing this problem. As there is no alternative remedy I am keen to go on taking them, so I am not pressing for action. I don't like the idea that my immune system is compromised, but at 76 and with multiple health problems, I just accept that things are not going to be perfect. I used to take beetroot juice daily and I think it may have helped my neutrophils, but obviously it won't have been helping my bg. My blood test in June showed low neutrophils yet again, but oddly the one I have just had shows them as being quite respectable.

 

Had my Fluvax (Quadrivalent) on 02.05.2018, have had no ill effects with it.

https://www.tga.gov.au/media-release/2018-seasonal-influenza-vaccines

 

Choices are a burden, no choice is tedious. Personally, as a retired nurse, and this certainly is no recommendation, I refused flu jabs every year. The NHS tried to pressurise us into having the vaccine, a fair number of us refused - with thanks - each year. No regrets. Do you own research as they say...

 

Why did you refuse the vaccination?

 

If I recall correctly by putting more types into the vaccinatio the responce to each type is not as strong.

 

Thanks @Alexandra100 I am of South Asian heritage so I might be one of the ethnicities who have low neutrophils.
A blood test in 2008 showed I had TPO Antibodies of 339 k/uL, which was marked as 'Abnormal'. The normal range is 0 - 15 k/uL. 339 seems really high so I don't know if that was a mistake, but a high TPO Antibodies count apparently indicates an autoimmune disorder, probably Hashimoto's Disease, so my immune system might be compromised too.

 

Thanks @Bluetit1802 I will - though given we only get 10 minutes with gp I don't think I will have time to go into everything.
I have made my next appointment with a different gp to the one I usually see, in the hope I might be told more about my test results.

 

Had a letter from my surgery saying the NHS has obtained a more effective flu vaccination for the over 65's and it is only available during September as there is a limited supply. Is this the one you are talking about

 

Did they say what it was called? I booked my flu jab at my GP today and the first time they are doing them is 6th October.

 

No as I have not booked it yet going to do it tomorrow

 

Although I don’t believe in having the flu jab, our Practice has had to delay the usual early October date because they won’t get all the vaccines for everybody in time. Other practices will be the same...

 

Can you find a local chemist to do it?

 

The same supplier supplies chemists and GPs. Chemists will be able to offer some vaccines but may not be able to offer all of them.

I would rather have mine done by a GP Practice if I had flu jabs. They have your records in front of them. Chemists don’t. Yes, they should pass on that you have had your flu jab done but for me I would (if I had one done-which I don’t) only go to my GP.

 

I think you will find the delay is due to some vaccines not being available until 12th October. Our Practice was going to do flu jab session on 13th but decided not to risk it because there is no guarantee that the vaccines will be released to all practices on that date...