I’d encourage everyone to have a flu jab (Yes, you should have a flu jab, G2, 1 November). I’m horrified that some people don’t have the jab again after having some unpleasant side-effects. I developed swine flu four years ago at the age of 46. I thought I just had a bad cold but it got worse, and I ended up in intensive care with not just swine flu but also pneumonia, scarlet fever and, most seriously, severe sepsis. I was youngish, fit and healthy, and I nearly lost my life. I would have left behind three young daughters, a husband and a life I loved on our north Devon farm. Believe me, the side-effects are nothing like the real thing. If you’re offered it, get it done – you might feel rough for a few days, but that’s nothing compared to dying.
Nicola Bowen
Chittlehamholt, Devon
• Your article makes no mention that there are two different flu vaccines this year: a quadrivalent vaccine for those under 65, widely available; and a Fluad vaccine for the over-65s, with limited availability, due to its newness and supply problems. This 71-year-old asthmatic will be lucky to obtain her jab by late November.
Susan Treagus
Manchester
• You say the flu vaccine is “now widely available in chemists”. I tried to book mine at my GP practice, but was told they had insufficient supplies; I’d have to wait three weeks. They then said I could get one at my local pharmacy, but there they had no supplies. Boots had limited supplies and offered an appointment in three weeks’ time – back to square one.
Dr Allan Dodds
Nottingham
• Why is take-up of the flu jab still so low, your article asks. Having the article illustrated with a picture of an excessively large needle might provide one significant answer.
John Stockting
Gatley, Greater Manchester
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