Flu Vaccine?

[LollipopsandWine]

I've just looked at the CDCs page on this year's flu vaccines, and it says that the nasal spray one (live one) isn't recommended this year/isn't approved. But school have sent out the same form as usual offering the nasal spray vaccine. And I have signed it and sent it back already.

From what I can see there are lots of people getting the offer from their schools at the moment, so obviously it is going ahead but erm... "Not recommended"? Does that mean they shouldn't be doing it? Or they will do an injection instead? Or...? I'm so confused!

[SophieGiroux]

I don't get the reason why they only do one when the manufacturer advises 2 doses if they've never had it before. Seems pointless bothering if it's not going to be done properly.

[LollipopsandWine]

I did see something mention 2 doses yes! Oh dear :/ I suddenly feel like the whole thing isn't run very well and I should have been more informed.

[soapboxqueen]

Two doses if they are in an 'at risk' group and haven't had it before. The cdc is in the USA so you need to check uk information sources of you have concerns.

[LollipopsandWine]

Having checked again I have just realised that it mentions however many Americans have had the vaccine. It would appear I was too tired last night to notice that it said .gov instead of .gov.uk


Never mind! Looks like it's all ok here!

[shewolfmum]

They don't use it as only 3% effective

[SophieGiroux]

It does apply to the UK, it's just the NHS is not following the manufacturers guidelines.

www.medicines.org.uk/emcmobile/medicine/29112#INDICATIONS

Check under section 4.2

[SophieGiroux]

It states:

For children who have not previously been vaccinated against seasonal influenza, a second dose should be given after an interval of at least 4 weeks.

[soapboxqueen]

The question would be, why would the NHS have different guidelines.

I suspect that 2 doses gives better coverage but for most people that isn't necessary. Therefore making sure only those 'at risk' get both doses is more efficient.

[Robinkitty]

Does anyone know whether children aged 9-16 can be vaccinated? I looked at boots and it says over 16's only.

[Ragusa]

There are places around me (London) that do it for about £20. Probably elsewhere too. I havent had much luck with Boots or independent chemists.

[SophieGiroux]

Yes there's lots of pharmacies that offer the flu jab as well as the nasal vaccine privately for that age group. Probably more likely to get success with independents, that's certainly the case in my area.

[Oly5]

It's not only 3% effective, that's one star from one bit of research. In the US, they recommend injections for flu for everyone including children. Over here, they recommend nasal for kids as it's less invasive.
The flu vaccine is not brilliantly effective but it does work for a proportion of the population (changes every year) and they think this year will be a bad year

[shewolfmum]

Sorry...the USA and Belgium don't use it as they found it to be only 3% effective

[RidiculousDiversion]

Superdrug will do under 18s, but only the injection, not the spray.