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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Children's health

Should I give my toddler the flu jab?

30 replies

SakuraM · 18/12/2016 16:02

Hello,

My 3 year-old will start nursery next month and I'm wondering if it's a good idea to give her the flu jab? I've never intended to give her any "additional" jab except from the usual necessary immunisations -I'm all for letting her immunity develop- but her starting the nursery is giving me some worries after hearing about all the bugs, viruses, etc. caught by the children when they first start nursery.

Did you give your children the jab? if not, what were your reasons, and were you happy about your decision? I'd also love to hear from health practitioners and what they really think about this.

Please advise as I'm in a real dilemma: to do it or not?

Thanks for your input.

OP posts:

Report

SideOfFoot · 18/12/2016 18:57

I'm opposed to the flu vaccine for that age group, it isn't given to protect the children but to stop them passing flu onto vulnerable older people who don't turn up for the vaccine. However, only you can decide what to do.
Don't be too hung up on the bugs, viruses etc caught at nursery, the number of days my teenage ds has ever been off school or even ill at all can be counted on one hand! Good luck whatever you decide.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 18/12/2016 19:00

A child is considered vulnerable just as an elderly person is.

Yes,my child has had the flu vaccine since he was about 6.

Starsandcars9 · 20/12/2016 21:22

Yes. It's a spray up the nose not an injection at that age.

Starsandcars9 · 20/12/2016 21:23

Side of foot - my toddler had it to protect herself (asthma) and my baby (multiple health problems).

FurbysMakeSexNoises · 20/12/2016 21:24

Yes. It has no live vaccine and nothing that can cause harm. Reduces risk of all around t
hem catching potentially fatal disease.

Starsandcars9 · 20/12/2016 21:24

Oh the bugs caught at nursery - probably spread by people like you - that don't take illnesses seriously land my baby with a hospital stay most times.

lucy101101 · 20/12/2016 21:31

I have just had flu and was bed bound for 8 days and felt awful for two weeks... and I had the flu jab back in October as I have asthma. I either had a strain that wasn't covered or if I hadn't had the jab I would have been in hospital right now. I am glad my family are all vaccinated including the 2 year old if it was the latter. Luckily no-one else seems to have caught it but it could possibly have been much worse.

One of the reasons we also all had it was that we have been around people having chemo this autumn.

However, I also think the NHS is under enough strain at the moment that they don't need people with preventable illnesses taking up beds.... I appreciate not everyone feels like that though!

mummummummummm · 20/12/2016 21:37

Yes have it. It's a spray that'll stop you little one getting horribly ill. They recommend it for a reason!

Haudyerwheesht · 20/12/2016 22:58

Yes. Ds caught flu aged 3, it developed into pneumonia and was very serious. I have never been so scared in my entire life.

Lovelilies · 20/12/2016 23:01

I was wondering about this too. Wasn't keen on giving DS (nearly 3) the vaccine. DP isn't keen either, and he's a GP!
But reading this thread is making me think more about giving him it..

SortAllTheThings · 20/12/2016 23:04

Yes. This age group are superspreaders. It protects them, and helps protect the elderly population as well. Double benefit.

Pippioddstocking · 20/12/2016 23:12

Children can get flu too ! I know , as a healthcare professional I've seen the otter side . Both of mine have had the flu vaccine since they were old enough to.

Spam88 · 20/12/2016 23:44

Whet is it with people trotting out phrases along the lines of 'I prefer to let their immune system develop'? That is literally what vaccines do

cx5221 · 20/12/2016 23:49

My dc develops a heart murmur every time he is poorly so I opted for the the flu jab (not that it's a jab it's a nasal spray) I didn't think it was worth the risk of not giving it.

I was in the camp of not giving it last year and I was a bit worried about him having it as I think most parents are about any immunisations whether it is rational or not. Then I thought to myself I've heard of people being poorly after the flu jab but I've never heard of anyone needing intensive care after a flu jab (personally) whereas I've known a few people need intensive care for flu complications.

luciole15 · 20/12/2016 23:59

Do you have the flu jab yourself? Do you fancy catching it and having to deal with a sick family? Up to you. I've had the jab for about 9 years running. I either had free jabs from work (financial institution, not healthcare), been pregnant and had it free or paid for it. Dc have it, and when I remember, so does DH. Your call, but flu is freaking awful so I want to avoid it. And there are enough bugs going round anyway that you may catch - stomach bugs, hand foot and mouth, coughs, colds, chicken pox.

SakuraM · 21/12/2016 18:43

Hello,

Thank you for your input. As the majority is in favour of the flu jab, I decided to go for it and have just booked an appointment for my DD. I thank you for helping me in taking a decision at last.

For those of you whose children first had the jab at around 3, could you please tell me about the aftermath? were the side effects severe and how long after having the nasal spray did those show up? I read about the possible side effects but I'm interested in hearing from actual cases.

Again thank you!

OP posts:

SortAllTheThings · 21/12/2016 19:10

Zero side effects for my almost 3yo

WildNightsWithAndyDay · 21/12/2016 19:18

The only side effect my 3 year old had was shouting 'that lady stuck something up my nose!' at the top of his voice when the receptionist asked how he felt on the way out.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 21/12/2016 19:20

No side effects here apart from a very slightly runny nose.

happymumof4crazykids · 21/12/2016 19:20

Zero side effects for my nearly 3 year old or my 12 year old. My 12 year old has been having a flu vaccination since he was 5 due to having had 2 strokes when he was 4.

MusterTheRohirim · 21/12/2016 19:27

Absolutely no effect on either DD - one has had it 3 times and my 2 year old had it for the first time this year. I have the jab each year as I'm vulnerable but I did get what the doctor called a flu type virus a couple of years ago and it wasn't nice. That was bad enough and not even 'full blown' flu!

luciole15 · 21/12/2016 19:55

A slightly runny nose for a day or so. Easy to administer too.

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MoreGilmoreGirls · 21/12/2016 20:00

My 3 yr old had it yesterday zero side effects, there's no live vaccine in the spray so it should not make them ill at all.

Theonlyoneiknow · 21/12/2016 21:06

I thought there was some live vaccine in the nasal spray but not the injection

mummummummummm · 21/12/2016 21:09

My 4 yr old had no side effects, she had a runny nose at the time of having it too!

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