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General health

Flu jab - which kind is it?

17 replies

Lonelymum · 20/10/2005 11:06

Sorry to start a new thread on this topic as I know there are other threads going on it, but I am not getting an answer to my question on the other threads!

My ds2 and dh have received letters inviting them to have the flu jab (they are both asthmatics). Can anyone tell me which flu this is a vaccination against? Is it ordinary flu or is it bird flu?

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WigWamBam · 20/10/2005 11:07

It's ordinary flu. There isn't a jab for avian flu yet.

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Lonelymum · 20/10/2005 11:08

Really?

Anywy, thanks for that WWB

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expatinscotland · 20/10/2005 11:08

THERE IS NO VACCINE PRESENTLY AVAILABLE FOR BIRD FLU.

Why? B/c it does not exist as a human strain of influenza, and may never exist as a human strain of influenza.

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WigWamBam · 20/10/2005 11:09

There's no jab for avian flu yet because avian flu still hasn't passed into the human population.

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WigWamBam · 20/10/2005 11:10

Cross posts, expat

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expatinscotland · 20/10/2005 11:12

Snap, WWB .

I'm growing more and more angry at the media for fuelling panic and misinformation about this issue, two things which will do no one any good.

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Lonelymum · 20/10/2005 11:13

OK thanks for that. I did know avian flu hadn't passed to humans yet but I thought I heard a story a while back about how Britain didn't have enough stocks of the vaccination in case there is an epidemic this year, but they must have been talking about ordinary flu.

i am slightly shocked to read that other mums are not getting their children vaccinated against the flu. Naturally ds2's immediate reaction was no I don't want a needle in my arm, but I quickly persuaded him a needle was nothing to getting flu. I wish I could have the jab!

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expatinscotland · 20/10/2005 11:16

I buy a jab privately every year, for the entire family.

Well worth it, IMO.

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FangAche · 20/10/2005 11:21

I get teh flu jab coz I've got asthma.

Lonelymum - Kids around here are not offered the flu jab unless they have a condition that makes them high risk! So why are you surprised that some people don't get their kids vaccinated? Its not an option here!!!

A strain of it did pass to humans in Asia and 60 people died, then that strain of virus died out.... but it will have to go through that same mutation to cross over again. The chances are it will mutate, but not in the same way so they will probably have to wait until it does cross to humans in the UK before they can develop a proper vaccine.

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FangAche · 20/10/2005 11:22

Oh and in healthy people the normal flu isn't actually that serious! Which is why I don't pay privately to have my children vaccinated. However, with my asthma it could kill me.

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expatinscotland · 20/10/2005 11:32

The 60 people who died from 'bird flu' died of H5N1, the present virus found in birds. It is an entirely avian virus. It is NOT a human virus and it has not 'died out'. It is in fact spreading. Among birds. Those who contracted it caught an avian flu. This is a very uncommon occurance, but has happened before. Research suggests, for example, that the influenza behind the 1918/19 epidemic was an entirely avian flu that was able to become transmissable between humans without ever having to combine genetically w/a human strain of influenza.

In both 1957 and 1968, however, two strains of avian influenza have combined with human strains to produced an influenza pandemic. So it is a possibility, however uncommon.

Q&A bird flu

This UK does not offer to innoculate healthy children under hte age of 6, but other countries do, b/c their research has shown that children under 6 affected by influenza virus tend to develop complications requiring hospitalisation. I suspect money may have something to do w/it, in as much as the Prevenar vaccine against pneumoccocal meningitis is offered in a standard innoculation protocol for children in several Western countries, but not in the UK (except privately).

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Lonelymum · 20/10/2005 17:16

Toothache, I meant the parents who have been offered the flu jab for their kids (referring to the other thread). I am a trusting soul I know, but the minute I received the letter for ds2 and read that it was beneficial for asthmatics (amongst others) to have the flu jab each year, I was determined he would have it. It astonishes me that not all parents take the opportunity when it is offered to them, but I suppose I shouldn't be surprised as lots of parents don't let their children have the MMR or other vaccinations. I don't mean to criticise them - each to their own - but I am surprised nonetheless.

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Lonelymum · 20/10/2005 17:18

Still haven't explained myself properly. I mean the parents of children who are asthmatic or have another condition that may make them susceptible to catching the flu or making them iller than the ordinary populatin.

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PottytheVampireSlayer · 20/10/2005 17:27

I know where your coming from lonelymum.

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Lonelymum · 20/10/2005 17:42

Phew! Don't seem able to express myself very well at the moment!

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Shazzler · 22/10/2005 12:47

I am asthmatic and was always offered flu jag when younger but could never have it because of a severe allergy to eggs. I was never really ill with flu so have never had my son vaccinated (he's asthmatic too) over the last years but my dh feels I should.

I have heard that flu jag that is offered will keep their immune system stronger so that if the bird flu does mutate at least their immune system will be as strong as possible.

My ds just hates getting jags and so I am not looking forward to him having it. Should I do it? I'm unsure. Help!!!