This might be a daft question, but as i dont know, i need to ask it.

My daugther tells me theres a lot of flu going around in UK right now. As i am still recovering from the pneumonia and i am diabetic, I think it wise i should have a flu jab. I am unsure whether to get it done here in Sydney beforehand or do it as soon as i arrive in London.
I know there are several different strains of flu. Does anyone know if the jabs you would get down here would be the same ones you get up in UK? What i mean is, do the jabs cover all strains possible, or just the types more prevalent in a certain area or region?

I think you would need to get it done in the UK. I came back from the UK a month ago with a very bad cold...my husband is convinced it was flu. I'm still having chest and sinus problems...so get the shot as soon as you can.

Hiya peeps.

Pritty sure you'd need to have it done in the Uk on your arrival. Different strains/different flu jabs made up to fight the most prevalent strains which I am guessing, vary in each country.Oz winter has been and gone/Uk's just peaking so get it done asap on landing.

I've thought about this also as I'll be getting mine done when I get there due to my own health history.
Good luck mate. When you off?????

P.S. Got someone coming 'round to view the car tonight. Fingers crossed.

*pearly*

Dependent on medical advice I would definitely get it done asap if you can.Maybe worth checking with a UK GP exactly what 'cocktail' of vaccination is currently being used in the UK , & just ask in Sydney whether the same is available in Australia? Probably won't be but it's worth asking ,If not arrange to get it done straight away once you arrive here.

Certainly is a bit of a plague house here in the UK at the moment - what with rampant flu & a virulent winter vomiting bug. Papers are full of normal doom & gloom about NHS breaking under the strain........

Im going back on Wednesday and im quite paranoid about it. Everyone seems to have it or the vomiting bug.

Gawwwd, I'm quite worried now. Knowing the luck i've had lately, i'm bound to catch it in the bloody arrivals hall at Heathrow!
I'm not sure my immune system could cope with anymore illnesses



Hi Pearly. I do hope you get the car sold soon! Its all a nightmare isnt it?

We still cant give a precise date as to when we are leaving for 2 reasons. Firstly, OH is waiting for his visa to be granted, although we are told it is quite quick to process. Also, the telephone job interview he had just before christmas got postponed until after the new year, so it is all ifs and buts at the moment. It is driving me crazy as we cant make any definite plans like booking flights, sorting the dog out etc.
Hopefully we shall be out of here in a matter of weeks. We are prepared for a quick getaway, especially if he gets the job.

H Flea

I know how you must be feeling as i had severe double pneumonia a few years back , and didnt realise at the time how seriously ill i was when i was in the hospital for 2 weeks.
This was when i was still in the UK and had a pneumonia jab( ouch ! ) and a flu jab a week later.
Before i went back to the UK last Christmas i was thinking of getting a flu jab again but was told that as the flu strains are different there they would be unlikely to protect you.
Thankfully i was ok. But felt quite paranoid about people coughing and spluttering on the plane !
The only thing i can suggest is seeing a DR here and explaining the situation, hopefully they might be able to help, or seeing a Gp as soon as you get back and hope you can get a jab.

All the best

Nicky

Thanks Nicky

I was also in hospital just under 2 weeks. Can i ask a question? How long did it take you to fully recover from the pnuemonia? I am still very weak 6mths later!! I did have a relapse after catching a bug from my grandaughter, but i am still unable to walk very far and feel lethargic and tired all the time.

I will just have to take the risk re the jabs and go to a doc as you say, when i get there. If i get struck down again, I think I'll just go to the vets and asked to be put down to save myself and everybody else a load of hassle

FYI : In today's Daily Telegraph (UK version) front page article on new 'killer' strain of flu sweeping across Britain which they are calling the Australian flu as it is the same virus that 'caused severe epidemic & killed 6 children in Australia in 2007'. They are saying that the most virulent strain in the UK currently is the 'H3N2 Brisbane 10' strain. Maybe there are stocks of the right jab still available in Australia ?

Hi Flea

I thnk it was about 2 months and i was back to normal. Sounds like you have had an awful time, really feel for you ! Its not nice !
All the best

Nicky

Flea,have sent you a PM with a few ideas that might help.

Sue

OMG!!

Thanks for that Miss Piggy. I just found the news article about it here

http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/77651

Strange though, as i dont remember there being an epidemic down here

I am going to the doc this week to ask if i can get the correct jab here before i leave!


Ahhh.. umm... my brain ticking again.... If you get the jab in Australia but it doesnt cover all strains back in UK, can you get a second jab when you get back or can you only have one?

Oh gawwwd, i think i need a lie down


Sue, thankyou so much for your PM. This website has some fabulous people on it.

Flea,

If you can wait a few hours, I'll ask my Uk mate who's a Practice Nurse there.
Get back to you soon.

Cheers.
x

Thanks P... i cant get an appointment here till Friday anyhow

Flea,

this is the message I got back from my mate.

"I'm looking into this for you, I think it's made differently but I'm not 100% sure. I think 2 flu jags would maybe increase the risk of Guillian Barr syndrome or would cause more side effects. She should have the pneumococcal vaccine too. I'll get back to you asap when I get hold of the right answer."


Ask about the pneumococcal vaccine when your at the Dr's on Friday.
I'll get back to you as soon as my mate gets back to me. She's a senior Practice Nurse so I trust her opinion.

Cheers peeps.

x