Finding Private Doctors?

We're not in the NHS...I simply wanted to get flu shots for our family.  None of the local clinics will let us come in and pay for the shots.
I understand there are private dentists, are there also private clinics?  I'm having no luck finding the shots; apparently the Brits get them in October / November, and all the pharmacies have already done their one day things.  Any advice appreciated.

under what basis are you living in the UK?  most visas allow you to visit an NHS dr. 

a google search of private flu jab came up with:

http://mediclinic.co.uk/flu-vaccine.html
http://www.harrowhealthcare.com/services.htm
http://www.flujabs.org/

Call any private hospital in your area and ask about it. When I went to a private hospital a few months ago to see a doctor, the hospital had fliers out advertising they would be giving flu shots for 19 pounds. Just call the switchboard and ask, if the person who answers doesn't know, she'll find someone who does.

I assume that the NHS will nto do it because your family are not high risk.

Think carefully before getting these.  Most in the UK do not get them (other than the elderly and those in at risk groups) and when I once had one I got the flu worse then ever before as a result.

Vicky

While I think that Victoria is a sage of great advice on these boards I have to say that it is actually a myth that you get the flu from the shot. The flu shot contains viruses that are inactive, and can not cause the flu.

However, it does only cover one strain of the flu, so it is possible you can get a different strain that is not covered.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm

I'm no doctor, I just know that one day I got the shot, the next day (and about the next seven days) I had the worse flu ever.

I just assumed they were linked, but I am open to the argument that it was a coicidence!

Vicky

I'm no doctor, I just know that one day I got the shot, the next day (and about the next seven days) I had the worse flu ever.

I just assumed they were linked, but I am open to the argument that it was a coicidence!

Vicky

It easily could have been another strain of it, and either way that stinks! But I do think it is important for people to know that receiving the shot can not actually cause the flu...

It easily could have been another strain of it, and either way that stinks! But I do think it is important for people to know that receiving the shot can not actually cause the flu...

I've never had a flu shot, so I can't say either way, but what I do know is that when I lived in the US, the only one of my friends (all of us were international students) to get the flu shot offered by the university health centre was the only one to actually get the flu!

The rest of us decided against getting the shot and not one of us got sick - I'm not saying that I think my friend got the flu because of the shot, but I just don't think the shot is totally necessary to prevent getting the flu.

I also think there is a misconception as to what the 'flu' really is - it is not a stomach virus, it is not when you have cold like symptoms...a real flu, which the shot prevents, is a debilitating illness that keeps you in bed for days and days, and which (as when I had it) can actually land you in the hospital, which is why it is important for the elderly, for children and for pregnant women to get the shot. I think a lot of people (and I am not saying the prior two posters, just people in general) say they have the flu and really what they have is a horrible cold or stomach virus, but not the true flu.

My experience is that midwives here won't give pregnant women the flu shot.

I do agree, though. The flu is much, much worse than your worst cold. I've had it once and I was not myself for WEEKS. And I was in very good health at the time otherwise.

My experience is that midwives here won't give pregnant women the flu shot.

I do agree, though. The flu is much, much worse than your worst cold. I've had it once and I was not myself for WEEKS. And I was in very good health at the time otherwise.

My experience in the past 33 weeks is that midwives don't give many of the same options as they do in the US, but that is a different topic 

I got the flu shot when I was back in Atlanta for a month in October, I was well into my second trimester and given how strongly doctors feel about pregnant women getting it in the US I got it - and given that my husband is on the tube every day, surrounded by germs and apparently by people who don't get the flu shot, I am glad I got it. He got it as well.

Yeah, I was a bit surprised they don't do it here. As I wasn't being exposed to germs to the extent you were, I didn't push it. That said, the shot was offered at my place of employment - to anyone, not just 'at risk' people. However, I think I was told they wouldn't give it to pregnant women!