Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

To think 'flu jab for all primary school children is not necessary

71 replies

Enb76 · 23/09/2015 10:39

I am entirely conflicted and am hoping that some answers can get this sorted in my head.

I am not anti-vaccine. My child has had all their vaccinations and I think that herd immunity is really important but... she came home with a letter yesterday saying that all Y2 children are being offered the flu jab. Really, do we need to vaccinate against ordinary 'flu? I have only ever had flu once, and yes, it is completely debilitating and probably quite dangerous for those in 'at risk' groups but for your average healthy 6/7 year old? While I'm not anti-vaccination I am not entirely sure that we need to vaccinate against everything, especially things like flu for which you need a new vaccination every year.

I am conflicted because I think that in general, if you are offered vaccinations for something you should take them because herd immunity is the best protection, on the other hand I think this is an entirely pointless vaccine that neither protects from all influenza strains, nor is completely effective.

OP posts:

Original poster

Enb76 · 23/09/2015 11:30

Bottlecap I have no idea, you may be correct.

OP posts:

Original poster

Enb76 · 23/09/2015 11:34

Just looked it up - 'flu does both. Anti-genic drift which is mutation over time and antigenic shift where two flu virus' meet up and a new virus is born

OP posts:

EdithWeston · 23/09/2015 11:43

I thought there was no link between vaccination and rates of mutation.

For example, the rate of mutation in Ebola has varied over time, and that was before there was even an experimental vaccine.

The reason the flu vaccine is now offered to all children in the age group is direct response to public demand (much campaigning a couple of years ago). If you weren't part of that demand you don't have to take up the jab. But getting it more widely available was fairly hard won, and quite the opposite of it being pushed on to population.

DoJo · 23/09/2015 11:56

Absolutely - and they should definitely have the vaccine.

But many people with compromised immune systems cannot have vaccinations - they rely on diminishing the spread through others being vaccinated and engaging in best practice when it comes to hand washing etc, which children are usually quite bad at! My son is having the flu vaccine because I am due to give birth in the middle of flu season and I want to minimise the chances of my newborn getting ill, although the idea of looking after a sick pre-schooler and a tiny baby is also pretty unappealing.

I'm not sure what the disadvantages of vaccinating would be really.

wigglesrock · 23/09/2015 12:40

My 3 children all had the nasal flu vaccine last year, they were then 9,6 and 3. The older got it at school, the younger one at the GP. I was glad they did, my dad had to undergo chemo last winter. They'll be getting it again this year as will my mum, me and my husband (he gets his via work).

ButtonLoon · 23/09/2015 12:46

I'm so glad I got 4 yo DD the flu snort (as we call it) last year as we were traveling to visit family when I got the flu. My parents and DD had both had the vaccine. My parents got a mild cold (that would be the "ineffective" vaccine then ), DD got nothing, my niece and I got walloped by an awful flu.

I made a vow to ALWAYS get the flu jab after that.

ElBandito · 23/09/2015 12:46

I'm in two minds. I started completing the form thinking I was sure DD should have it but I've had to tick so many 'Yes' boxes (for asthma, allergies, including egg) that by the time I got to the end I wasn't so damn sure any more! I've read the NHS web page but still feel none the wiser. I'm very much in favour of immunisation, DD has had all the others. But what do they mean by severe egg allergy? Who do I ask for advice? I don't feel it's worth wasting a doctors time. < sigh >

ShowOfHands · 23/09/2015 13:08

No need to .

When I said "ineffective", I meant as explained above, the strain it protected against wasn't prevalent at all and other strains caused far more of a problem. As I said, my ds had the spray and he will have it again this year. I was just pointing out that there are other considerations of the protection it offers, one being that there is a large amount of prediction involved.

hazeyjane · 23/09/2015 13:13

I think it is a good idea because we don't necessarily know, within a community, who is vulnerable. In ds's school there are a relatively high percentage of children with complex health needs (ds is one of them), as well as these children there are the children with asthma, children that may be on medication which lowers their immune system. And flu can be dangerous, even for healthy children.

SecretSpy · 23/09/2015 13:19

We've had a consent form for this for my year 2 child.

It's Fluenz Tetra apparently. But they are (locally at least) only giving one dose and children who have not been immunised against seasonal flu before should have two doses four weeks apart according to the SPC.

IMHO if they are only giving one I will decline. Half the dose means still potential side effects (likely to be very minor ) but inadequate protection.

Badders123 · 23/09/2015 13:29

Children are classed as an at risk group.
Mine also happen to be asthmatic.
So they are having the vaccine.

sproketmx · 23/09/2015 13:32

Thing is, the flu virus mutates so much in such a short period of time it's most likely a useless vaccine by the time you get it. Look at last year's. They developed a vaccine for one strain of flu but by the time it was in clinics it was no longer effective against the virus. I got mine all their vaccines too but not the flu.

anotherdayanothersquabble · 23/09/2015 13:36

Vaccine Insert Worth a read.

JohnCusacksWife · 23/09/2015 13:38

To be honest I don't understand why you wouldn't. I wouldn't wish flu on my worst enemy so (a) I certainly don't want my own children to have it and (b) anything that can stop it spreading through the population at large has to be a good thing.

Yes - flu mutates so some years the vaccine chosen is more effective than others but that's not a reason not to try to protect your kids (and others).

TimetohittheroadJack · 23/09/2015 13:41

You can't compare vaccines to antibiotics.

Antibiotics directly kill bacteria that causes an infection and if not used properly the bacteria don't get enough to kill them, and can develop resistance.

Vaccines provoke your own bodies immune response so that if you are exposed to the flu your bodies immune system will recognise the (in this case flu) virus and be able to eliminate it before it makes you sick.

Vaccine manufacturers do have to make an educated guess on what type of influenza strain is the most likely to cause an epidemic, so they might get it wrong and despite getting the flu vaccine you still could get flu.

But that's like saying lets not bother with car seats, as sometimes in accidents children properly strapped in still die in collisions. By giving the vaccine (or strapping your child into a car seat) you are reducing the risk of getting flu (or being seriously injured in a collision).

Even if flu doesn't kill that many healthy children, why would you not want to reduce the risk of your child getting it? The flu makes you feel like death for at least 2 weeks - who wants that for their child ?

sproketmx · 23/09/2015 13:46

Thing is, the flu vaccine makes you feel like shite. I had it one pregnancy and never again. Everyone I know who's had it feels shit after it. I'm pushing 30 and I've had two flu's in nearly 30 years. Why oh why put yourself or your kids through getting something up the schneb and making them feel utter shite every year for the risk that they might catch the fucking flu twice by the time they're 30.

hazeyjane · 23/09/2015 13:49

I don't know that that is a general thing though, it has never made me, dh, my mum or the dcs feel like shite (all have had the flu vaccine for last few years)

AutumnAnne · 23/09/2015 14:05

YABU as it is not mandatory. A child died from flu at ds3's primary school a couple of years ago. They had no underlying health issues. Ds2 was off school for 4.5 weeks with flu and now gets the jag. Both dh and I are in "at risk" groups and will get it at the GP, ds3 will get it at school and ds1 can please himself get it in Tesco. I'm happy for other parents to choose for themselves but pleased I can get it for mine.

JohnCusacksWife · 23/09/2015 14:09

My DDs have had it for the past few years and have never complained of feeling bad afterwards.

specialsubject · 23/09/2015 14:14

I have a flu vaccine every year. Feel fine afterwards, had a bit of a sore arm one year.

not everyone feels bad afterwards. In fact, most kids will hardly notice.

scifisam · 23/09/2015 14:34

The flu vaccine does not make you feel like shite. It's just that you're usually, as an adult, offered it in Autumn. In Autumn, you're quite likely to get a cold due to suddenly being in contact with more people from more areas due to the start of the school year. Then the cold you get is now attributed to the vaccine.

I'm an immunocompromised person so if anyone were going to get bad effects from flu vaccines it would be me. I don't.

To the OP, EnB6 (sounds like a flu too :D): looking into the consequences of the injections your kids have is a very good idea indeed. It's just a letter from your kids' school that doesn't take into account your own kids' medical history. I'd ask your doctor first, but be willing to go for a flu shot if they give good reasons for it.

autumnintheair · 23/09/2015 14:39

we all pay for our jabs every year, if I can prevent flu I will.

Your very lucky you get yours for free my older dd has just missed out but at least we will save £15 for the younger.

autumnintheair · 23/09/2015 14:40

sproke we have had jabs for years and during pregnancy and never felt shite. and my dc have them too and are always totally fine!

each year of course its different strains and stuff...maybe its something else in the vaccine components making you feel ill?

autumnintheair · 23/09/2015 14:42

elbandito

We have our adults jabs done in super market pharmacy.

There is a huge form to fill in, they talk to you about it, make it a huge deal, then after jab they ask you to stay in store for a while in case a side effect happens!

HOwever when we take our dc to proper surgery ( private ) to get theirs, they simply stab them, sticker and go!

so I wouldnt worry too much....

LurkingHusband · 23/09/2015 14:48

What is the disadvantage of getting the vaccine?

All detailed here

Flip

1 2 3