Toddler flu vaccine

[stretchmarkqueenie]

Anyone else in two minds about giving their toddler the flu vaccine? I'm by no means an anti vaccine mum, my DC are all up to date on their jabs. Just heard such a mix of views about it that I'm confused. Only direct experience of it was when pregnant, and I was in bed for a good few days after having it so that isn't a great experience. WIBU not to put my DC through that?

[angelopal]

DD had it last year and was fine. Just about to book her in for it this year.

[Butterymuffin]

What have you heard that puts you off? Makes sense to me, flu can be very nasty indeed.

[LeavesinAutumn]

dd had it she has chest issues as well and she had no side effects at all, she didnt even notice it happening! it was so quick and painless.

[SlipperyLizard]

Both mine have had it since it has been available, no side effects.

An Australian doctor was talking about their awful flu epidemic on the radio last week - he recommended that everyone in the U.K. has the vaccine as ours could be just as bad.

I've also had the jab many times with no side effects except sore arm.

[LovelyPrep]

I felt crap after it this year but I had whooping cough jab the same day so I was sort of expecting it.
My 2 year old had the vaccine on Friday and was absolutely fine. Either way I'd rather she felt a bit pants for a few days and reduced the risk of being seriously ill with flu.

[RoseAndRose]

Toddlers would be offered the sniff, rather than the jab (unless there was a medical reason which meant they couldn't have the sniff).

So I doubt your reaction to last year's injectable is at all relevant.

[Daffodils07]

My 3 year old had the nasal spray last week, he had a bit of a temp the day after but compared to flu that was nothing.

[MonkeyJumping]

So is it just a nose spray? Can anybody describe for me what it's like so I can prep my 2 yr old on what to expect as he flips out easily

[blueberrypie0112]

I thought nose spray wasn’t as effective anymore. At least not in the U.S. anymore

[yelpforhelp]

Based on aus and nz we're in for a bad year with flu. The vaccine should not only help your child but will protect others via herd immunity. Our nhs still hasn't recovered from winter pressures last year. Unless you have strong feelings against it or medical reasons not to do so then everyone who's offered the vaccine should have it.

[Oly5]

Kids are one of the highest risk groups for being hospitalised for flu. This year is expected to be a bad year.
It's a no brainer really

[Vanillaradio]

Ds (turns 4 soon) had the spray last year with no ill effects and have just booked him in for it this year. I doubt your ds will be in bed for a few days after having it. Fwiw I have the jab every year because of a medical condition and the worst I have had is a sore arm and a bit under the weather for 1-2 days.
Proper flu is horrible, I had it at university and could barely move, was hallucinating etc. I would much rather put ds through any minor side effects than risk that.

[nutbrownhare15]

I'm similar to op but have been reading a similar thread. The main thing that concerned me was a link to.narcolepsy for the nasal spray. It did seem to have been established scientifically. Not sure what risk per child is though.

[Buglife]

I know of a young child who's died of flu in the UK this year already. DS has had his nasel spray already. He's 3 and not particularly chilled about going to the doctors and it was one tiny spray which he barely even noticed. We were in there for about 30 seconds! And he's been fine, maybe a bit snotty for a couple of days. So the worst thing is it isn't 100% effective. That's no reason not to give it for me.

[Oly5]

The narcolepsy look or with the swine flu vaccine has been stood up and compensation has been paid. It's true. But that vaccine had to be developed extremely rapidly in response to a global threat and there are believed to have been some issues around testing.
The annual seasonal flu vaccine is completely different and planned months ahead by the World Health Organisation

[Waytroze]

DS had the spray yesterday. He was a little warm overnight and has a cough today, but he's fine with a bit of calpol. It's much better than him having flu, particularly because he's asthmatic.

[DesignedForLife]

I will get it for DD, once she's recovered from whatever it is she's got at the moment. True flu is grim, and going by Australian predictions it could be a bad year.

[LovelyPrep]

It's just a nasal spray up each nostril. DD barely realised it happened, I think we were in the room for about 10 seconds in total.

[DesignedForLife]

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/12/nhs-fears-worst-flu-season-history/amp/

[DesignedForLife]

Not to mention that if there's any chance I can prevent DD catching it and spreading it to her baby brother who's too young for vaccine it's worth it.

[BumWad]

Booked DS2 for next week.

[Cutesbabasmummy]

My son who will be 3 in January is booked in for it at the beginning of November - that's the soonest I could get him an appointment for it so am guessing its popular!

[ouchmyfanjo]

Ok I'm like you and have previously refused it for my youngest. Neither school has any medical conditions and I wow t sing time reading up on it a couple of years ago.
I understand once they start taking it they have to have it every year. Each year strains are different and Australia suffered partly because the vaccine was not effective against the prevalent strain.

There are many reasons, and I know it is not without risk but I am probably you g to refuse it again this year.

[stretchmarkqueenie]

I didn't realise that once they had it they needed it every year. So do we need to pay for it at the pharmacy in future years as only 2 and 3 year olds are free, am I right?

[Butterymuffin]

They'll most likely be offered it in school once they start queenie.