Flu vaccine for teenagers. Would you?

[LifeIsGoodish]

Given that even an uncomplicated case can mean 2w off school, and that the after-effects can be so draining and last so long, would you get your teens vaxed against flu? Mine have never had flu (I have!), but one is in Y11 and the other has incredibly mild asthma (hasn't been offered the jab in years).

[AnyFucker]

Yep

[CremeBrulee]

DD13 had the flu vaccine at school this week. She has mild asthma and was offered the jab so we accepted.

[ShatnersBassoon]

Yes, it's worth the minor inconvenience to improve your chances of good health.

[lljkk]

my kid who easily gets wheezy, I would encourage him (I think he would want it). I'd probably give the others the choice.

[ReallyTired]

I would leave the decision whether to have the flu vacinne up to the teen.

[Fabellini]

Mine are both having it this year. (Unless they strongly object, in which case I will listen and explain why I think it's a good idea.). I have asthma and have had flu twice in the last five years - was hospitalised the first time, and narrowly avoided it last year. Both times it wiped me out for weeks and weeks.
I don't want my dcs to get ill like that.....I don't want anyone to get ill like that actually!

[IminaPickle]

Is it a nasal spray? I'm badgering mine who are away at University but they're resisting more jabs.

[LifeIsGoodish]

No it's a jab at Boots or Tesco.

Of course I'll let them make the ultimate decision.

[madgingermunchkin]

No. There is more than one strain of flu, so it will only lesson chances of getting that one. They could still catch another.

Quite frankly, unless someone is very old/young or has a condition which means that catching flu will result in a serious (life threatening/hospital stay) reaction, leave immune systems to do the job they are designed to do. It's flu, not TB or Polio.

[aginghippy]

Yes there is more than one strain of flu, but the vaccine they are offering contains antigens for three different strains. These are the ones that the WHO predicts will be the most common in the northern hemisphere this winter.

An illness doesn't have to be life-threatening to be worth preventing. I had flu once and I couldn't get out of bed for a week, was off work for 3 weeks and still not myself for a few weeks after that. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

[AnyFucker]

Lowering the incidence of flu in the community will prevent the very old/young/compromised from getting the virus. I look on it as also being a public health thing to do, not purely an individual act

[misshelena]

Yes. AnyFucker is right-- it's everyone's duty to avoid spreading the flu. Also, dds both play winter sports and can't afford to take time off. Also, flu vax has protective effects even on the common cold by making it less severe.

[musicposy]

Yes.
DD2 is 17 and in perfect health so not eligible under NHS. We've discussed the importance of it and were planning on heading off to Asda this weekend as they are doing it for £5. It looks as though you can't buy the jab for under 16s so I don't know if we will need age proof.

However, in a moment of terrible timing she's gone down with an awful cold today and is temperaturey, shivery etc, and I have a sore throat. We will get it done as soon as she recovers.

DD1 is away at uni but eligible. She's received her letter and ignored it so far. I'm in the process of nagging her.

I'm also trying to persuade my elderly parents who won't have the jab. From what I can see DDad is scared of needles (I told him that was not a reason) and DMum is a classic DailyFail reader who clings on to every bit of anti vacc propaganda she reads. This despite the fact that flu nearly killed her 2 winters ago.

I partly feel that vaccinating the rest of us might help protect my parents but I wish they'd help protect themselves!

[madgingermunchkin]

Just stop nagging. It is a persons choice what they do or do not put into their bodies. If they don't want to have it, and are old enough to decide for themselves, then respect their wishes.

And yes, there is herd immunity, but flu is too fast evolving.

As a scientist who lives with an Infectious Disease Specialist, I'm loathe to fiddle with immune systems unnecessarily.

[AnyFucker]

I wouldn't nag, music

It has to be an individual choice, even if you believe it to be a poor one

There is a lot of ignorance out there

[AnyFucker]

The amount of times I have heard "I'm not getting the jab, it gives you the flu"

[AnyFucker]

[MadisonAvenue]

My teenage sons have just had their third flu jab. They both have weakened immune systems due to an hereditary condition (thanks to me, who also has to have it) so their consultant recommended that they had it, especially after the oldest had flu twice and was really poorly.

[Lilybensmum1]

I think it's great to let the immune system do what it needs to but, people who are at risk like my DH should have it, it's not just a cold it can kill, and no it does not cause the flu it's not a live vaccine. My ds is in year 3 and has been offered the nasal spray but as its a live vaccine can't have it due to my dh's low immune system, for some reason my DD in year 4 does not even get offered it.

I can see why people don't have to there needs to be more education so we could ,are an educated choice I'm a hcp so will be having mine to protect my patients and my DH.

[AuntieStella]

It's a PITA when DC are too old for the nasal vaccine delivered in schools, but under 16 (as most pharmacies won't do them)..

I think it has to be up to the DC for older teens - and I would push them towards it in their public exam years.

[Lilybensmum1]

Sorry thought I did preview before posting!!
I can see why people don't have the flu vaccination there needs to be more education so people can make an educated choice. Sorry for the horrible post.

[Aeroflotgirl]

They are teens and should be given the choice. I can't believe some of you are forcing your older kids to have it, unless they really need it.

[BlackDoglet]

Nasal spray more effective. DC aged 15/16 offered it by nose!

[LifeIsGoodish]

Tesco do under 16s.

I agree in principle with letting the immune system get on with it. But I also agree with herd immunity and with it being dc1's public exams year.

As for dc2, after 5-6 asthma-free years they have had a couple of extremely mild asthmatic episodes this year, triggered by fragrance sprays and talcum powder being thrown around. Can't even call them attacks as they passed without medication, which was lucky as all our inhalers were several years out of date. But the episodes, together with a little discomfort exercising big in cold weather, worry me just the tiniest bit.

[musicposy]

I haven't read anyone on here forcing teens, Aeroflot.

I maybe used the wrong choice of words with "nag".

DD2 wants the jab anyway after discussion with DSis who works in the NHS. DD1 got her letter and said she was going to go but she's the type who never gets round to anything without a small push. I was appalled when she came home for the summer to find her epipens were over 6 months out of date. She knew, just hadn't bothered. And yes, I know she needs to take responsibility for herself. But whilst undergoing that process I don't think it hurts for me to say "have you had your flu jab yet?"

Obviously if either teen said no, I'd completely respect that. It's not my body. It's harder with my parents when my mum nearly died of flu two years ago. That makes me want to nag them, to be honest! It also makes it hard as I don't want to see the immediate family pass it on to her. But at the end of the day, yes, it's their choice.