the flu jab, children and asthma.

[tryingtobemarypoppins]

Hello totally confused about the seasonal flu jab. Should a 2year old with Asthma have it and if so, would it mean having the swine flu jab as well this year (if the swine flu jab happens!)?

I have read mixed things. HV says no, GP says may be helpful.......

[Sidge]

If s/he requires regular inhaled steroids then a flu jab can be offered. If s/he only needs salbutamol as required then a flu jab wouldn't normally be necessary.

The swine flu jab would be extra (should it ever come to fruition!)

[tryingtobemarypoppins]

Thanks Sidge, yes we have the brown inhalers too so I guess it would be offered, although it hasn't been offered to us before???

This has worried me though

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519172045.htm

[mumandlovingit]

my son has both blue and brown inhalers and has never been offered the flu jab.i asked once at doctors but got told it wasnt necessary.not sure reasons behind that.

personally im not happy with the swine flu jab and what ive read up about it so even if offered, ds wont be having it.

see what your doc says or research abit.make sure the benefits of the jabs will outway the side possible effects of the jabs.

ive been told to up the steroid inhaler by 1 puff morning and night in winter and that has worked well so far.he gets colds adn coughs but nothing like he did before he went onto them.

[Sidge]

I hadn't seen that. I wonder if the findings can be extrapolated to the UK? I don't know if we use the same vaccine as the US.