To get flu vax or not?

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I had the flu vaccine a few years ago when pg with DD4. It made me VERY ill, so much so that I haven’t had it since and have refused it for all my three of my DC in previous years. HOWEVER, I’ve just read that we are set to have the biggest outbreak in fifty years and it’s put a seed of doubt in my mind as to whether I’ve made the correct decision this year.

So, AIBU to refuse the vaccination this year? Honest opinions needed please.

Ok. Just spoken to Dr. My DS results are back and they can't find that he had any infections or bugs.

I asked if it was the nasel flu vaccine and she said 'Could he, he could have got a temperature because of it' but we will never know.

No more vaccinations for my DS. He's 2.10 months now and he's up to date so far. Anymore that we are called for I'm refusing

Having a flu vaccine and ending up know a coma on an ICU unit a hundred miles away. No thanks NHS

That is a really bad idea given that it's probably just a coincidence.

I hope when it all calms down you reconsider,

I'm having it for the first time, as DH's carer.

Apparently last year's flu shot was completely ineffective for the elderly. But it seems to have done some good through the children. The age group which they are immunising are the 'super spreader' one, the ones that spread germs far and wide across the community.

They're hoping this year's will be more effective for the elderly.

ShowerGel, I would reconsider. If he was that ill just from a raised temperature, what would be the effects of getting any of the diseases which the immunisations protect against? High temperature is just the most minor of the effects of those illnesses.

Anyway, I think it’s a vicious circle of never ending vaccines. Where do we draw the line?

When we have irradiated the diseases we currently vaccinate against.

DH is currently in hospital with complications of flu. He had the jab, but only three days before becoming ill, so it hadn't had time to take effect. He's been very poorly for a week. Have the jab.

When we have children in other countries dying of preventable disease it's smacks so much of first world privilege to be proud of refusing vaccinations

I have had my flu jab - I have health issues - my dd3 will have the spray when she is well enough

She is in hospital at present but being such a terrible parent I so far haven't refused her MRI scan , eeg, lumbar puncture, antibiotics or antiviral meds - modern medicine is not your enemy ffs

I had mine quite early in case I come into contact with children who are shedding from the live nasal one. Slightly sore arm for a couple of days, nothing else and my immune system is virtually non existent so TBH I expected more of a reaction

Showergel if he reacted that badly to the vaccine what do you think the actual flu virus will do to him?

ShowerGel9
If you believe he had a febrile convulsion to the vaccine, he will also be vulnerable to a febrile convulsion from any disease that causes a temperature, at least if he is being vaccinated you can keep an eye on him for a few days
My ds has over 20 febrile convulsions up to the age of 13 and they were always the first sign he was ill. I would much rather he had one when i was expecting it , than out of nowhere, ie he had several at school.

sashh but then there will be more to vaccinate against. It won’t be long until there’s a chicken pox vaccine over here.

Well my child currently can't walk or talk due to encephalitis caused by herpes (chicken pox) virus - so it's not always harmless

Oh you have no vulnerable relatives? Then yoyur children definitely don't come into contact with any immunocompromised people 🙄

One of my twins almost died when he contracted whooping cough, which he caught in the nicu.

Your kids gets to be healthy because you're happy for everyone else's kids to assume the supposed risks. Flu kills healthy people. That's a fact. Your children's germs will spread to sick people whether directly or by proxy. That's a fact.

People just think this shit won't happen to them.

Showergel - I'm so sorry to hear about your son, I've been there. Mine have had every single vaccination since though. In your case, if he's been this sick because of a raised temp and an attenuated live virus then thank heavens he didn't get the actual flu as that would have been utterly horrific. I know it's difficult and it's hard to know what to do for the best, but the illnesses we vaccinate against kill and destroy lives. Sending hugs to you.

Damn right there should be a chicken pox vaccine! Encephalitis, blindness and more.... it's a disgrace we don't vaccinate against it

Ghosty I am so sorry.
DS had chicken pox whilst immuno compromised. He could have died. If they offered to vaccinate I would.
All medicine carries some risk. The reason vaccines were developed is because the actual illnesses we are vaccinating against are potentially far, far worse.
It's a no brainer for me.

Thanks it's been a horrible time for us - she is saying a few words now but it's a very slow process

Hoping for a full and rapid recovery. It's so scary when they're so unwell.

I got one. The arm hurt like hell but I am on a very petite side so those things hurt.
I survived and I am looking forward to another year with hopefully no flu.

I got one. arm v achy and have a headache and feel generally bleugh. I dont see why people are saying it can't cause a reaction- pharmacist told me to expect mild flu symptoms.

chick pox vaccine - the reason we don't vax children is the vaccine wears off and it is much more serious to get cp/shingles later on. I decided not to vaccinate the dc in tge end.

I’d speak with your GP. Why did the flu vaccine cause such a bad reaction in you? I can understand your hesitancy. Last year’s flu was pretty nasty. A local, young, healthy man ended up on a ventilator in ICU because of it. He hasn’t had the flu vacc because he wasn’t in a qualifying group. It certainly made me rethink my easy-ozy attitude to flu in our age group.

Mum2jenny

I personally would not give a vaccine to a young child unless they were immunocompromised,

but by taking this approach you are putting those that are immunocompromised at risk?

I believe the flu jab triggered an immune response in me a few years ago that has resulted in my health deteriorating to the point of disability. I have autoimmune conditions coming out of me ears now. I’ll never have another flu jab.

DD, aged 10, has multiple disabilities and will have the flu jab every year. Not the nasal spray though, I refuse that after she got pneumonia twice within two months of having it. We had to spend the winter in almost isolation, she missed Christmas. I don’t think children should be given the nasal spray vaccine.

I can't fathom why people don't have the flu vaccine!

I have it as I work with immunosuppressed individuals & 18mth ago I did catch flu. I spent 10 days in HDU and genuinely thought I would die. I have never felt as wretched as when I said goodbye to my DC when DH dropped me at the doors of A&E (no parking).* *

My pulse was 110, my temp was 41, my BP was through the roof and my resps were 40. It was like trying to breathe underwater.

By the time he got a parking space and got through to resus they were getting ready to ventilate me. I was young, fit & healthy. I now have post sepsis syndrome and it has utterly ruined my health. I cannot begin to explain how awful it is. I feel I will never recover.

My DH & my DC also tested positive for the flu on throat swabs. It was awful. I never want anyone to feel like that. Not ever.

Also - chicken pox vaccine is £50 per shot (2 needed) from most GP. I got my DC vaccinated by paying at my NHS GP. Didn't think twice about it.

I would have it.

I had flu 2 years ago. Breathing hurt, everything ached and I was that tired I could barely crawl, I was praying for death by day three. It took a good few month for me too feel normal.

I thought I'd had flu before but I hadn't, I would honestly take childbirth over getting it again.

I'm scared of needles but if needed I pay for the privilege of being jabbed with the flu one.

I had mine 3 weeks ago. Had a mild headache and my arm hurt for a couple of days and that was it.