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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not vaccinate my children against flu this winter?

236 replies

Isseyesque · 30/09/2014 23:09

We have been offered flu jabs for DDs age 2 and 4. Neither have any respiratory/asthma type issues, and generally very good health (have been very fortunate in that to date they have rarely gotten ill and never seriously, not been on antibiotics etc).

AIBU not to vaccinate them as they don't appear to be high risk? My understanding is that flu is most dangerous to people with weak immune and weak respiratory problems. If they do get it, they'll be unwell but ok, and develop some resistance/ resilience etc.

However, I'm now wavering as someone said they heard on the radio that it recommended small children DO get immunised as it will reduce the spread of flu and therefore be better for others who are more compromised. I hadn't considered that previously, not sure what to do now.

OP posts:
honeysucklejasmine · 01/10/2014 12:18

It scares me that some people don't seem to understand how vaccines work. They do not do anything to the immune system other than stimulate it.

I have been pleased to read some of the replies on here though that do represent a good understanding of the theory.

Also OP, lovely that you are considering the rest of the population in your decision. It is very true that the fewer people vaccinated, the faster the disease travels. And whilst not everyone will get sick, the risk is hugely increased. Thank you for being considerate to this. Smile

Nanny0gg · 01/10/2014 12:21

Its not difficult for ME to avoid ill people...im a sahm mum,

with school-age children! (and a working husband?)

You do not live in a protective bubble. Your family mixes in the wider world and you must go out of the house sometimes if only on the school run.

You had the jab. You didn't get flu. You might not have been exposed to the virus. But on the other hand, you might have.

Not one of your reasons makes sense. If you don't want it, don't have it. But that's the reason, you just don't want it.

Bakersbum · 01/10/2014 12:22

I am pro vaccine, but I didn't let DS have it last year when he was 2 and probably won't this year either. He has ended up in hospital after every vaccine he has had since birth.

I have weighed up the risks and benefits of all the others with his consultant, but I don't think I want to put him through another one, especially if it has to be done annually.

arethereanyleftatall · 01/10/2014 12:50

Daryl - it's about risk. Having the vaccine reduces (significantly) your RISK of getting flu. Of course you're not going to necessarily get flu if you don't have the vaccine, but your risk of getting it is higher.

CPtart · 01/10/2014 13:47

I'm a practice nurse that administers the flu vaccine but despite having had flu twice, I don't get the jab myself and am unsure whether I would let my DC have it. Every year I face of hundreds of elderly/high risk adults who are eligible but refuse to have it themselves. The idea of vaccinating healthy DC as a means of preventing the spread of flu to these individuals does not sit well with me.

MrsWhiskersonTheFirst · 01/10/2014 13:58

YANBU. For those saying it reduced the risk significantly, the flu vaccine is around 50-70% effective iirc. It depends on your age etc.

I also agree with CP - the 'vulnerable' people are offered the flu jab themselves and many of them don't take it.

littlemslazybones · 01/10/2014 14:10

CP, as the risk of being just outright nosey, what factors would make you think twice about getting your children vaccinated?

littlemslazybones · 01/10/2014 14:11

Tell me to naff off if you want- I'm not easily offended Smile

CPtart · 01/10/2014 14:20

If they had a chronic condition such as asthma, diabetes or were immuno-suppressed and it was advised by their medics.
I've started jabbing and spraying patients this week but of the vulnerable adults offered the flu vaccine, already about 30% have said no-usually the elderly.

littlemslazybones · 01/10/2014 14:33

Thanks CP.

Shakshuka · 01/10/2014 15:14

I have a healthy 7 yr old and 10 year old. They've been vaccinated against flu as they are every year since we moved to the US.

I'm not particularly worried that they'd have complications from flu, although that's always a possibility, albeit small. But the idea of them suffering and missing a week or more of school when it can be avoided clinched it for me.

Ive had real flu before and even as a healthy 35 year old (then) nearly ended up in hospital with breathing difficulties due to secondary pneumonia. It was nasty.

BeyondRepair · 01/10/2014 15:37

having flu once gives no build up or resistance to it again, i would have gthe booster, I am sheeling out 40 quid for mine to get done your lucky mine missed by 2 weeks to get it

ShakeYourTailFeathers · 01/10/2014 15:40

Where I live everyone is entitled to a free flu shot, and we are all strongly encouraged to take it.

It's as much to protect the vulnerable in society as it is to protect the person getting the shot.

DH and I get one every year.

MrsWhiskersonTheFirst · 02/10/2014 11:21

Beyond - the flu vaccine changes every year/few years because new strains are circulating.

"It's as much to protect the vulnerable in society"

You mean the ones who have been offered it for years and who (a large percentage of) choose not to take it?

Mammanat222 · 02/10/2014 11:44

Is this a new thing as I've not heard of young kids being offered the vaccination before?

I will have mine as I am pregnant but have had no notice that DS needs to have it?

mssarah · 02/10/2014 11:52

Sounds like big pharma using scare tactics to boost profits.

Realistically its not that effective.

Most people would be better off having an excellent diet and lifestyle. I'm offered it through work but I'd never take it.

ilovepowerhoop · 02/10/2014 12:26

this year children up to age 11 are being offered the flu vaccine (nasal spray one) - in Scotland anyway, dont know about England. DD and ds brought home consent letters for it yesterday as they will get it done at school.

LeftRightCentre · 02/10/2014 12:52

I was 25 when I last had flu. I was a vegetarian with an amazing diet and an athlete. I spent Xmas in hospital with pneumonia.

Hurr1cane · 02/10/2014 13:10

It was bloody hard work finding out about vaccinations and of we qualified!

Anyway I can get one as a carer and DS has the inhaler thing as a disabled child but they aren't ready yet so I have to wait and then call again in a couple of weeks.

So before I call, are there any risks?

MrsWhiskersonTheFirst · 02/10/2014 13:19

Flu doesn't always make you really sick: See here

BedPig2013 · 02/10/2014 18:48

This thread had made me worried now incase my dd gets the flu, she's otherwise healthy but does anybody know why they're not offering it to children under 2?

LeftRightCentre · 02/10/2014 19:21

Mine had flu jabs before 2.

We all got swine flu, diagnosed by swab in them and by swabs and bloods in me and DH, in the initial outbreak.

It did not make me, DH or our younger two very sick but it absolutely waylaid our eldest.

Nanny0gg · 03/10/2014 00:08

Most people would be better off having an excellent diet and lifestyle

Because those people never catch anything.

Really?

Stratter5 · 03/10/2014 00:33

at some of the rubbish being peddled on here. Easy to tell who has absolutely no idea what they're tslking about. Big opinions, small brains.

Zimzywhoo · 03/10/2014 01:08

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/vaccine-ingredients.aspx

Id never get vaccined nor would i get my children vaccined. have you seen what vaccines contain?? Mercury, Aliminium, Gelatine, Eggs, embalming fluid... The whooping cough vaccine contains washed Sheeps blood. It's called RC or something similar.

I personally don't want crap like that in my body. My mums always been against vaccines and funnily enough none of her three eldest children have ever been seriously ill. We've had the odd cold of course but we've never had flu ect. I don't think that's a coincidence.

Her youngest child's father was all for vaccines, she's had every vaccine that's been offered and she's always off school because she's ill. I do not think its a coincidence that her 3 that havnt been vaccined are very healthy and the only one who has been vaccined is constantly ill.

Up to other people what they put in their bodies but I would never put any of that crap in mine or my children's body.

I'm currently 29 weeks pregnant and the midwife has "kindly" offered me the whooping cough jab. What she failed to inform me that there is no singular jab for the whooping cough,
the vaccine they offer is also for polio, diphtheria and tetanus. But she failed to include that information. Again not an accident I don't think.