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Original poster

Schools should offer yearly Covid jab instead of flu

119 replies

SteakBakesAndHotTakes · 06/10/2025 07:10

If we can have one, Covid is more common than flu, spreads more easily than flu, and although flu causes more severe illness at time of infection, repeated exposure to Covid increases the chance of long Covid for the child and the rest of the family.

I would rather both but if we had to pick one, my kids have brought home Covid four times and I would rather they be inoculated against it.

OP posts:
tigger1001 · 06/10/2025 07:42

Covid vaccine eligibility this year has changed. Now only for:-
over 75's
residents in care homes (older adults)
people who are immunosuppressed

BusWankers · 06/10/2025 07:42

SteakBakesAndHotTakes · 06/10/2025 07:10

If we can have one, Covid is more common than flu, spreads more easily than flu, and although flu causes more severe illness at time of infection, repeated exposure to Covid increases the chance of long Covid for the child and the rest of the family.

I would rather both but if we had to pick one, my kids have brought home Covid four times and I would rather they be inoculated against it.

They brought it home 4 times and are fine, which rather implies that they're absolutely fine with it, and don't need immunisation.

Kids don't need the immunisations, adults do.
COVID deaths are a third of flu deaths. Children are generally tough enough to survive COVID, where as the flu is more likely to kill them and others

www.gov.uk/government/statistics/influenza-in-the-uk-annual-epidemiological-report-winter-2024-to-2025/influenza-in-the-uk-annual-epidemiological-report-winter-2024-to-2025#community-surveillance

Littlemisscapable · 06/10/2025 07:41

Faircastle · 06/10/2025 07:34

These vaccination programmes are for the benefit of populations, rather than individuals. The main reason for vaccinating schoolchildren against flu is to protect those in the community who are more vulnerable to becoming seriously ill or dying from it (i.e. their grandparents).

This.

Deerfolk · 06/10/2025 07:40

I thought the Covid jab caused blood clots in young people?

ShesTheAlbatross · 06/10/2025 07:40

SteakBakesAndHotTakes · 06/10/2025 07:20

@lnks @MumChp You're missing the point that we get free flu jabs anyway...I'm saying it would be money better spent on Covid than flu.

Based on what evidence? Do you not think that vaccines offered on the NHS are pretty carefully assessed for value for money as well as health benefits? If you think the public health experts are wrong that’s fine, but are you basing that on anything beyond a general feeling?

Scottishskifun · 06/10/2025 07:40

I wouldn't have my children have the covid jab and I have long covid (4 years in) especially as they are boys. It was also not offered to children under 12 unless significant health risk for a very good reason.

There has been vaccine issues and increased risk of myocarditis and pericarditis.

Of course having a long term health condition they still have little idea of how to treat sucks but anyone can develop a health condition or cancer and life has to change.
I have accepted and adapted my life. It's not been easy and I've done a lot on my own but I function and back working.

Faircastle · 06/10/2025 07:34

These vaccination programmes are for the benefit of populations, rather than individuals. The main reason for vaccinating schoolchildren against flu is to protect those in the community who are more vulnerable to becoming seriously ill or dying from it (i.e. their grandparents).

EleanorReally · 06/10/2025 07:31

flu is still dangerous
covid is only offered to people over a certain age currently.

ii cant imagine there would be much uptake for a covid jab in younger people

Fitzcarraldo353 · 06/10/2025 07:31

It's easy enough to give children a flu nasal spray. I don't believe they've developed a Covid Nasal spray vaccine and giving primary school children jabs would be a whole different ballgame. On that basis alone I wouldn't imagine it's being considered.

But anyway I don't think a lot of people want their children having Covid vaccine. My two have never had it (have had all other vaccines and DH and I had the original 3 jabs).

BruisedNeckMeat · 06/10/2025 07:30

Children do not need that crap injected into them.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 06/10/2025 07:29

The Covid jab has horrible side effects for many and my kids have never been ill with Covid, there’s no way I’d agree to let them have it. Flu is a nasal spray that doesn’t have any side effects and flu can make children horribly ill. The vaccination programme makes sense as it is.

WilderHawthorn · 06/10/2025 07:27

My children have not and will not have the Covid vaccine until they’re old enough to consider the benefits & risks themselves. Flu can be nasty for adults and children and the flu jab is incredibly low risk. Covid for kids is a cold (unless there are comorbidities at play)

ComfortFoodCafe · 06/10/2025 07:24

considering the covid jab is known to cause blood clots and other medical issues you are being unreasonable.

OverNotOver · 06/10/2025 07:24

You should probably go tell public health officials of your findings, I expect they don’t put any thought or research in to this kind of thing.

Original poster
SteakBakesAndHotTakes · 06/10/2025 07:20

@lnks @MumChp You're missing the point that we get free flu jabs anyway...I'm saying it would be money better spent on Covid than flu.

OP posts:
MumChp · 06/10/2025 07:14

Pay for it if you are not happy with what you are offered.

Theunamedcat · 06/10/2025 07:14

lnks · 06/10/2025 07:13

Pay for them to get vaccinated then 🤷‍♀️

Not how herd immunity works btw

Theunamedcat · 06/10/2025 07:13

I thought it was included in the flu jab tbh and not separate

lnks · 06/10/2025 07:13

Pay for them to get vaccinated then 🤷‍♀️