NHS not fit for the 21st century

krish

The World Health Organisation advice is based on the latest science, in this case virology i.e.
Virology of human influenza

The NHS is involved in a trial of a universal flu vaccine, which if it works could make this debate moot in a few years time - NHS patients to test 'universal' flu jab

I think the Government could have done a better job of promoting the Flu vaccine, as it appears uptake has been fairly low this flu season. That's one of the criticism's I'd aim at them, not the choice of flu vaccine. As that's always a best guess.
Lung experts 'deeply concerned' by low flu jab uptake in England

tapzilla2k

It's a choice.

Many adults can't be bothered to take the time to have the 'flu jab - that will of course apply to the children of those adults.

The free 'flu jab is advertised everywhere, but it is not compulsory.

sebbykin

Yet the criticism @Enki made is the government ignored scientific advice and deliberately chose an ineffective vaccine.

As to the government could have done more...

2016 September to November figures.

NHS England South West » Latest figures show flu vaccination rates improved but thousands still at risk
In summary :
67% of over 65s
43% of those with a medical condition
42% of pregnant women

The comparable figures for 2017.

Seasonal flu vaccine uptake in GP patients: monthly data, 2017 to 2018 - GOV.UK
69% of over 65s
43% of those with a medical condition
42.9% of pregnant women

Each of those groups is also larger than in 2016.

So is treating more patients in actual numbers, and a higher percentage of patients overall "not doing enough"?

Let's see what the final winter figures are for comparison but at the moment your criticism isn't based on the real numbers.

domtheone

Those figures are understandable, especially for the over 65s.

The missus and I are over 65, she can't be bothered to have the flu jab and I had mine done last autumn, both our daughters haven't had the jab and they are in their late 30s. So in our family group only one person has had the flu jab.

None of our friends or daughters friends (wide age group) have had the jab, but all know about it.

All down to: meh, can't be bothered.

tapzilla2k

I guess it boils down to people, probably not getting the flu that often. Thus think "Why bother with the flu jab" (an attitude I've had myself in the past). Yes they do advertise the flu jab, but there hasn't been a serious public health education campaign about the reasons to get a flu jab in a long while (Public Health Education budgets have been cut).
All we ever get are stories about the next killer pandemic flu virus that never really materialises, so I guess people have been lulled into a false sense of security.

EarthRod

Most of the vulnerable groups do get the jab don't they? With everyone else it's mostly unlikely that they will ... their GP practice won't offer them it, and they're not going to pay for it at Boots.

EarthRod

It depends on a number of factors. Take me as an example - Chronic Lung Condition and needle phobic. Not a good mix when it comes to getting a flu jab, I only managed to get it twice in the last 5-10 years (One nurse distracted me and the other gave me the jab, had to be done as it was swine flu at that time. This time around, I was still a gibbering wreck but managed to get it done). I doubt I'm the only asthmatic who doesn't get the flu jab, as it often makes you ill. That's another reason why some don't get it.

As for those who pay for the vaccine ? Likely to be those who'd rather pay to get the vaccine in order to avoid getting the flu, which would impact on the ability to work properly.

EarthRod

Especially if it impacts on the mobile phone bill or Sky

domtheone

The fact that it's a story run by the BBC triggers my alarm bells

rancidpunk

Hard to argue against that when the health secretary himself gets it so spectacularly wrong, not that he's alone in that.

Jeremy Hunt admits false claims over mental health