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Swine flu jab for 10-mo-old prior to travelling?

7 replies

marenmj · 20/10/2009 11:57

Going to the States to visit family over the holidays and wondering if I should try to get DD a swine flu jab before going.

Not usually into pandemic panic (scoffed at concerns over cases in both DH's office and her nursery) but:

a) her (teenaged) aunt and uncle have both had swine flu, as well as several other family members, and they report the experience was horrific.

b) we will be flying out and strangers LOVE to touch babies - not that strangers are automatically disease-ridden, but seems like it would be prudent if I know people will be cluck-clucking round her face and hands.

c) she will lick the floors, handles, and armrests of things while I'm not looking. I'm not in denial about this fact.

She is up-to-date on her other jabs, and I was already considering getting her the seasonal flu jab due to our near-certain exposure to loads of nasty bugs and wanting to spare her a flu-experience.

AIBU?

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MaggieBehaveOutGuising · 20/10/2009 12:47

I have one with asthma. I get the feeling most people aren't bothering because they think the injection is worse...

interested to see what most people plan to do...

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Sidge · 20/10/2009 12:50

She won't be eligible for a seasonal flu jab, but you may be able to get one privately for about a tenner.

As for the swine flu jab the main problem might be availability - surgeries are only receiving 500 doses of the vaccine initially and have to prioritise so she will probably be lower down the list than people and young children with chronic illnesses. Whether she would get it before you travel I don't know - when are you going?

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marenmj · 20/10/2009 12:56

Agreed - she's healthy and I don't want to take one from someone who is at-risk if supplies are limited.

We're travelling 2nd of Nov. So it may be too late already. It's only just occurred to me to think about it last night.

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Sidge · 20/10/2009 13:15

I think you'll find it hard to get it done by then - surgeries are only receiving their vaccine in the week beginning 26th October so some might not get it until the end of the week. You could try private clinics but I'm not sure what the procedure is for them regarding swine flu vaccine availability.

It wouldn't be a good idea for her to have a vaccine that she has never had before a day or two before you travel, in case she is poorly afterwards.

You may need to take your chances with the swine flu!

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marenmj · 20/10/2009 13:49

Well, as it only occurred to me last night to think of the jab, we were going to be taking our chances anyway

Our GP is closed until 2pm, so I will ring them then.

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lljkk · 20/10/2009 13:58

Good luck, Marenmj. I'd be interestd what your GP says.
We are going to the USA in late November. I also hope to get my toddler (under 2) the swine flu jab before then.

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marenmj · 20/10/2009 15:49

Well, I called the GP's office. They say they just won't know if we will be able to do it before we leave. They did say I might have more luck ringing the national flu hotline, but that until the vaccine arrives on the 26th, there just isn't much information to go around.
regarding the availability or suitability.

I suppose that means I will be checking back with them on the 26th.