To be worried about the nasal spray flu vaccine?

[BoopTheSnoot]

My eldest DS (who is two) is scheduled to have the nasal spray flu vaccine tomorrow afternoon.
Both of my children are up to date with all their other vaccinations, we've never missed one.
But this one bothers me. I've heard a lot of people saying that it has some nasty side-effects, and that it is not particularly effective anyway (although the NHS says that it's more effective than the injected flu vaccine). Loads of people that I know with children in the eligible age bracket have chosen not to receive it.
It's left me unsure of whether my DS should have it or not. I know how dangerous flu can be in the very young and very old.
WWYD? Any experiences?

[YerAWizardHarry]

DS has had it twice now, no side effects at all. It is a "live" vaccine though unlike the injected one which id imagine is what is putting some people off

[Soubriquet]

My 3 year old dd had it

At the same time as her MMR booster and her DTP booster

She had NO side effects from any of it

A lot of parents jump to conclusions. It's winter now. Sniffles are rife.

Just because your child develops a cold doesn't mean the spray is to blame

[DontTouchTheMoustache]

Personally I'd say listen to medical experts and not "what you've heard". There may be some flu like symptoms but otherwise they should be fine. 2 years ago I missed my flu jab and caught flu unfortunately, it developed into pneumonia and I was hospitalised for weeks. I was lucky to survive so I know how dangerous it can be to those who are vulnerable (I have severe asthma). In my opinion the benefits massively outweigh the risks

[dementedpixie]

My two have had them in the past and ds will get it this year. They have never suffered any side effects

[paddypants13]

My dd has had the vaccination twice now and has not had any side effects at all. She was absolutely fine whilst the nurse was administering it.

[JosephineMaynard]

DS2 (3yrs) had his nasal spray flu vaccine a few weeks ago.

He was a little sniffly afterwards, but no worse than he would have been with a mild cold.

[UnoriginalNN]

DD (2) got poorly right off the back of it. Just one of the unlucky ones. Nothing serious, just a poorly wee soul for a week. Certainly nowhere near as bad as flu.

[JosephineMaynard]

And it's possible that DS2's sniffles were a mild cold rather than anything to do with the vaccine....

[Leatherboundanddown]

My 5 yr old had it 9 days ago. No side effects at all.

[Haudyerwheesht]

My ds got flu aged 3 and developed into pneumonia and we could've lost him. He's 10 now and his breathing has never been the same since. Please get it.

[TheWrathFromHighAtopTheThing]

Any (probably no) side effects are unlikely to be as bad as full-on flu, which can, and does, kill.

[DrLockhart]

I haven't had it and neither will Dd who hasn't had it for the last 3 years it's been offered.

Your child and your choice but do you own research and weigh up what is important to you following that.

You shouldn't go off "what people say" in terms of side affects, it is anecdotal.

[tinyterrors]

My ds and dd2 had it last year with no side effects. I had flu last year and it only reinforced my decision for them to have the vaccine, it was bloody awful and took me six weeks to be anything approaching normal.

This year I'm looking into dd1 and ds2 getting it. For some reason school only vaccinate years 1 to 3.

[SquatBetty]

My 3 year old had the spray a couple of weeks ago with no side effects whatsoever. I had the flu a few years ago and it was bloody grim - no way do I want my child to go through that

[Eyre89]

The nurse that did my ds2 said it is partially live but once it hits the nose it's starts to die. And the only side effects are a possible slight runny nose and slight cough. You can't cach or pass on flu from it. That's what I was told. He was fine as were all the others I know that had it done.

[Blossomdeary]

No side effects in my DGC. Flu can be a killer.

[Crunchymum]

Howe old do they have to be to have it?

I refused last year as DC2 was a baby so I didn't want DC1 having a live vaccine.

I am sure my surgery says they become legible aged 3 for the nasal spray??? Does it differ?

[JosephineMaynard]

In my area, all children aged 2 - 4 on a particular date (I think in line with the age cut off for school year so around end August) are eligible for the nasal spray.

[Mcchickenbb41]

Dd aged nearly three had it a couple of weeks ago. No side affects at all. I actually requested it before we were notified she could have it. She's been in hospital three times and at the doctors countless times with a common cold as she has ashma. I don't even want to think what flu could do to her. The only thing I don't understand is that I was expecting a spray but she actually had what I'd call nasal drops from a syringe which was so easy. I was dreading a spray as she despises her inhalor. Are there differant types of methods ?

[Mcchickenbb41]

My area is 2 yrs. I would have wanted it sooner if allowed but ONLY because of her asthma

[Cakescakescakes]

Yes proper flu can easily be fatal for a young child so I will absolutely be having both my DC vaccinated.

[Tiredtomybones]

Ds had a fever and runny nose 2 days after it. We were at the GP for an asthma check up that day so I mentioned it and GP said it was most likely a reaction to the flu spray and just to give calpol. He was fine the next day.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Ds has has it twice with no side effects apart from feeling a bit tired.

[Borntoflyinfirst]

My youngest is 6 and has had the nasal spray for the last 4 years at the dr then through school. I paid for my older 2 to have it one year however could not get it done anywhere the following couple of years - even privately. I pay for mine too. After a bout of flu 4 years ago I will do all I can to protect myself and my family from this horrible illness. None of us have had any side effects.

[winterisnigh]

My 3 year old had with no side effects, it also protects agaisnt one extra strain than the jab