I had the same two jabs as you Dave back in early September, being an old fart too. Had the same reaction to the pneumonia jab, tho the nurse didn't say anything about a possible reaction. Typically Mrs R was having none of it, just man up it's only a little prick! (she can be so hurtful)

A few years ago I needed a blood test. was a Community Nurse at the time. I was her guinea pig for new gadgets and she always took stitches out, changed dressings etc. She insisted on taking the sample so no trip to the surgery needed.
Overnight fast, got up at 05.00, a bit earlier than normal for going to work. Sat on the bed. She couldn’t find a vein so swopped arms. Tourniquet, tapping...” Ah! There it is”.
Needle goes in. I howl. Missed the vein and hit a nerve. Matronly voice “instructed” me to keep still, don’t be a baby!. Second attempt worked into a numb arm. It took 2 weeks for the ache to go.
Before aerotaff chips in...neither of us was wearing a nurse’s uniform.

Were either of you wearing anything? ..,just asking.

Well that's some more good news - second vaccine (Moderna) showing 90+% effective and this one can be stored in a normal freezer.

I had my flu jab last week. I've never really had flu, just seasonal colds, but as I get older they get more severe. They are offered free to over 65 year olds in Italy but I would probably get them anyway after a younger brother died in a flu epidemic in Australia in 2008.

In January Jnr. had a severe cough and a slight fever. We almost thought she had whooping cough. It took ages for it to completely go, and at the same time I had a slight cough which continued to annoy me for more than a month.

I tend to get a persistent cough after most colds now. Sometimes it feels like whooping cough, and there actually is a 90 day adult version of whooping cough. Coincidentally, my coughs seem to last about 90 days then vanish.

I started with a cough mid February, which I picked up hospital visiting, probably from my mother. It lasted the usual three months, but I don't think it was Covid.

A friend had a really bad flu and cough in January which lasted a month, and we think that might have been Covid.

I pay for a flu vaccination every year (used to get a voucher from a previous employer, so was free).
This year I went to the usual supermarket pharmacy and was turned down being under 65. Was told to come back when the government announced it was going to pay for those aged 50 and above.
My doctor's surgery sent a text nearly 2 months ago re: this supposed government paid for flu vaccination. Normally I would have had the vaccination weeks ago.
It's the last time I use that pharmacy - for anything! I guess Covid has them all rattled!

Over here getting the flu vaccination is routine every year, all the pharmacy's and supermarkets do free flu shots you just go in and its rather like getting your groceries. This year they even set up drive-in stations in the car park to get your prick!!!!

Graham it is odd we looked to but as at 63 it would take a while for the NHS to book us in.
We found the local private pharmacy happy to do that . Boots Tesco etc were sold out. So just like loo roll the local shop supply chain is better.

I am in a vulnerable group (heart bypass) and Mrs W. is "super vulnerable" and shielding. This year, for the first time, our surgery scheduled flu jabs by invitation only, but then suspended them in early October due to lack of supplies. For the first time in 12 years I haven't had a flu jab.

I don't understand why there is not enough of the vaccine for people who would normally have a jab and yet a lot of people with no underlying health conditions are managing to get it. I don't know where I will stand in the queue for any C-19 vaccine but I hope the rollout is better organised.