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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have no idea about this flu jab immunisation programme?

117 replies

GeeTeeEff · 07/10/2013 21:58

My 2 youngest dc's came home from school on Friday with letters saying their school is part of a new programme to start immunising all primary school pupils against flu.

It has never crossed my mind to have them immunised, they are rarely ill, never had flu so I'm thinking of not signing the permission forms.

Is it something everyone is doing? (Vaccinating that is) My mil said she wouldn't have them immunised as she felt quite ill after it.

OP posts:
ilovepowerhoop · 07/10/2013 22:00

is it not the one that is administered up their nose rather than by injection?

KenDoddsDadsDog · 07/10/2013 22:01

It's up their nose and a new thing this year. 3 year old DD had hers today.

Sparkletshirt · 07/10/2013 22:02

We had that this weekend. We got sent a letter in the post, the Drs surgery did a drop in on Saturday and we were in and out within minutes. Dd cried, had a kitkat and was all better. Dh works in the NHS and has it every year so I think they've just extended it to vulnerable grops, ie very yound and very old people. I think I might get one too.

NaturalBaby · 07/10/2013 22:02

Is it the nasal vaccine? It's only offered to 2 & 3yr olds in my area so if they're offering it to all primary pupils in your area there must be a good reason. My 2yr old had it and has had no side effects so I wouldn't let your MIL's response put you off.

Sparkletshirt · 07/10/2013 22:03

very young.

Dd's 3, she had hers by injection and has to go back in 4 weeks.

shallweshop · 07/10/2013 22:04

I would do it if it was offered. Just because they haven't had flu so far I don't think that offers them any immunity to future illness - think the vaccination would be more effective!

PeppermintScreams · 07/10/2013 22:04

I've only know about it for a couple of days, after I saw it mentioned on the BBC news website. Think it's just 2-3 year olds this year, and it's being rolled out to all primary school kids next year. So maybe your area is a trial for next year?

MrsDermotOLeary · 07/10/2013 22:06

My dc are rarely ill, same for me and DH.

However, last christmas DH, 7 year old DD and I all caught flu. We were really ill. I had to call my parents to come and collect the younger two dc as neither DH or I could even get out of bed for a few days. DD began vomiting at one stage so poor DH had to take her in a taxi to A&E where she was put on a drip to get some fluids into her. It was awful. I've never ever felt so ill. Christmas didn't really happen, nor did poor DS1's birthday Sad

Only 2 year old DS has been offered the new flu vaccination/nose spray.
I will however be paying for the rest of us and we are all going to have it.

I never want to feel that ill again.

hazeyjane · 07/10/2013 22:07

I am completely confused about this. Ds (3.3) is supposed to have the flu jab because of chest problems that lead to him having recurrent chest infections and pneumonias, so I put his name on the list a month ago, so he could get it ASAP, but when I went in to the drs today to chase it up, they said that they hadn't been able to fit him into the clinic, because of the new flu vaccine programme!

Somehow he seems to have missed both the jab and not been called up for the nasal spray!

mawbroon · 07/10/2013 22:11

I just filled in DS1's form to go back to school tomorrow. I really am in two minds about it tbh. If they weren't offering this, I wouldn't be going out of my way to get him one.

DS2 is 3yo and I have to arrange his with the docs surgery. I haven't done it yet..

Original poster
GeeTeeEff · 07/10/2013 22:20

Oops, it is the nasal spray. I've read the leaflet umpteen times today and totally missed the nasal spray part every time! Blush

The whole school have been offered it.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 07/10/2013 22:32

Hazey - if he has chest problems check he is suitable for the nasal one. DS has severe asthma and can't have the spray he has to have the traditional vaccine.

Sparkletshirt · 07/10/2013 22:37

We got a leaflet Mrs Dermot saying it's a myth that it's just like the cold and it can leave you unable to get out of bed.

If the vaccine makes you feel rough the actual flu would be hell.

Would you feel bad if they didn't have it and did get the flu GTF?

hazeyjane · 07/10/2013 22:39

That is a good point, Sirzy.

I'll give his gp a ring tomorrow.Smile

Original poster
GeeTeeEff · 07/10/2013 22:56

I'm not sure if I'd feel bad as such. Surely they can't go through life never getting flu?

Is there 100% guarantee they'll never get it after being immunised?

OP posts:
TodaysAGoodDay · 07/10/2013 22:57

And my DS can't have the nasal one either as he's allergic to egg whites, something else to consider.

ImagineJL · 07/10/2013 23:07

It's being given to all 2-3 year olds, and kids up to age 16 in some areas. Ultimately it will be offered to all 2-16 year olds, but that would be too much to do so they're trialing ways of doing it in various areas. I'm in Leicestershire and we got letters from school today.

AnythingNotEverything · 07/10/2013 23:14

Immunisations programmes aren't just there to protect those directly immunised. Plenty of people can't have the treatment (like the PP's child with the egg allergy).

The immunisations are targeted at those most likely to spread the illness, thereby preventing an epidemic. It's not just about your child, it's about herd immunity in the community.

Also, flu can be really really nasty, and have serious complications in otherwise healthy individuals, as well as those who are vulnerable.

Dawndonnaagain · 07/10/2013 23:16

Gee, it is to protect vulnerable groups. My dd could die if she got flu, as could many people, so the more people immune the fewer to pass it on.

Musicaltheatremum · 07/10/2013 23:58

The 2 and 3 year olds are being done nasally at the GP surgeries. There are some schools doing pilots of the nasal vaccine but not all.
The guidance is very very confusing and several of my colleagues, admin staff, nurses and my fellow GPs have had to read it several times to make sure we have got it right. With 1400over 65s and at risks being immunised plus a couple of hundred 2 and 3 year olds we are going to be very busy as this is about 25% of our patients.

NK493efc93X1277dd3d6d4 · 08/10/2013 00:20

The world's gone vaccination mad!

QueFonda · 08/10/2013 07:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OohDoctorDarcy · 08/10/2013 08:06

We are in a 2-11 area. 4-11 are being done in pharmacies but I don't have one in that age group so I don't know how they are logging them.
2-3 are done at GP but the receptionist knew nothing about it the other day and argued with me before checking with the nurse

MrsMook · 08/10/2013 08:13

I'm glad I've read this! I was going to take my 2yr old to the open clinic at the weekend and hadn't realised it was an issue with egg allergy. I'm in favour of immunisation, so I'll see about having the injection done as his allergy is mild, but I'd rather not risk having an allergen squirted in his airways. I'd rather have him immunised if possible as that helps protect our baby as well as the rest of the family. I've accepted it both times when pregnant.

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