Colds aren't the same as flu. People are always takling about "coming down with flu" and most times they mean a cold. When you get real flu you know it. A couple of winters ago we came down with it for Christmas.

Since then I've been to get my flu jab within a few days of them starting doing them each winter. "Late onset Asthma" entitled me to it.

I'd reckon any shortages of flu vaccine here must be local, they seem to have plenty round or way. It could be that the stuff in the press and telly about all this has meant that the people on the jab list have gone for it in a bigger way than expected in some places.

Anyway I got a song out of the last time I got flu. And I hope it was the last time) - The Millennium Flu - the first verse sums up what it's like:

      They call it the flu, but you don't fly,
      just hang around, and wait to die -
      it seems like time's just crawling by                  
      Millenium Flu, it's got to you.

      When your body aches, your mouth is dry,
      you pray to live, but you can't think why -
                Millenium Flu, it's got to you.

      Now my head is so dizzy and my mind is confused
      My body feels so shaken and so worn out and used
      Like I'd been drinking, getting stinking,
      And I just couldn't stop,
      All the perils of the bar-room -
      And I'd not had a drop.