‘The flu shot shuffle: The rigmarole of getting a five-second jab’

In the current health environment, it has been recommended that we all get our flu shots. I am 61, with no real worrying health conditions, but I thought it wise with Covid-19. After all, the powers that be don’t want us to get flu and Covid-19 together! I was on the phone to my doctor recently in relation to another matter and she reminded me about the flu shot, so I called and got an appointment.

My flu shot appointment went something like this:

At reception there were chairs in front of the desk so patients couldn’t stand too close to one another. The girls behind the desk looked at us carefully. Some patients were sitting, waiting for their chosen doctor, in carefully spaced chairs, a few were wearing masks. The receptionist checked me in and sent me across the carpark to the other waiting room for my doctor. I carefully opened push doors with my elbow and used a tissue to open the pull door.

I had to see the doctor. She looked at my records on her computer and decided I was fit enough to have a flu vaccine and gave me a prescription and a little yellow slip for the nurse. I then had to go the pharmacy next door, give them the prescription and pick up the shot. Then I went back into the nurse’s waiting room, took a number and pressed her buzzer. Then waited to be called by the nurse, gave her the yellow slip and she actually administered the shot, which took five seconds, if that.

Years ago doctors would do basic things like administer vaccinations, take blood, poke and prod as required. These days my doctor has never touched me! Her sole duty is writing out repeat prescriptions or ordering relevant tests. The in-house pathology does any blood tests and the nurse does others. If more paperwork is required, such as for a health plan, I have to see the nurse to get it all written out and then take it back to the doctor to get it signed.

For a five-second flu jab I touched eight door handles, received and handed over several pieces of paper and sat to wait in three different waiting rooms, and one pharmacy. It took maybe 10 minutes of the GP’s time, a few minutes of the pharmacist’s time and at least 20 of mine.

Wouldn’t it be more efficient, and lessen potential contact during the pandemic, if the actual doctor had a fridge full of shots in her office and could check you over then give you the shot herself? I think so!

Keen to share your thoughts with other 60-pluses? You can sign up as a contributor and submit your stories to Starts at 60. While you’re at it, why not join the Starts at 60 Bloggers Club to talk to other writers in the Starts at 60 community and learn more about how to write for Starts at 60. Community blogs published on the website go into the draw for some great weekly prizes.