Has your child had nasal flu vaccine and why?

[MissT84]

Sitting on the fence about giving dc nasal flu vaccine (verging on saying yes). Dh doesn't want them to have it.

So aibu to ask if you have given it/would give it to your dc? And what reasons?

Yes, my youngest has had it for the past 2-3 years.
Because I don’t want her having flu. It has never made her poorly.
& even if it did, it wouldn’t be to the extent of flu.
Your DH is being unreasonable.

My ds had it last year and he had it again today. Id rather he got it than not have it and potentially become really unwell with flu

My daughter had it on Monday (she’s 4) had it through school.

Yes both DD15 and DS11 have had the nasal flu vaccine through school because:
A - both of them have asthma
B - I really don't want them to suffer through flu unnecessarily
C - DH has heart problems and is in cancer remission, he will also have the vaccine but still rather the DC didn't bring it home.

Yes, just this week.
I wouldn't like DD to have flu, it's awful.
Also, FIL has had cancer (radiotherapy), and another relative of mine has dementia with low immunity. I don't want to put them at more risk than necessary.

ZOMBIE THREAD!!
This is back from Jan 2018 that a PP must have found in a search and restarted tonight!

Yes my 3 year old has had it, it's a live vaccine and can make them a little sniffley but it will protect him from full blown flu. I've had my flu jab too today it's not just about protecting yourself but others as well.

Won't be having it this year. I don't think an otherwise healthy child who has never had flu, or been unwell ever (neither have I) should have unnecessary vaccines without enough evidence for its effectiveness. It does not protect against all strains and my understanding is that new strains often emerge

My ex partner is adement that he doesn’t want our children to have the flu spray, but I feel very strongly that I do want them to have it. Does anyone have any idea where I stand with this?

My son has never really suffered with illnesses, he had the spray when he 2yo and was really ill afterwards I thought maybe just a coincidence. Had the spray again when 3yo and again very ill afterwards (raging temperature, sickness, lethargic etc) so didn't have it at 4 or 5yo and has never caught flu.
If your child is healthy generally why do they need it?

I’m not a child and my DC are older, my understanding is they are now vaccinating younger DC for the protection of everyone - children spread germs, they are also vulnerable and it protects other members of the community. In my case as a 42 year old healthy mum who had never had a hospital stay I believe I contracted flu at a school Christmas play! By Boxing Day I was in bed with general flu symptoms, after a few days of self medication I ended up being hospitalised for 4 days after developing pneumonia. After that, pleurisy and fluid on my lung which had to be removed. 2 months off work. Result is I am left with ongoing issues and chest irritation some years later. So, on balance to me the risk of getting ill from the vaccination is far outweighed by what can happen if you don’t. I realise it’s rare but I think vaccination is sensible for younger and older people and those more vulnerable. As a healthy adult I had never thought of paying for a vaccination before but I have one every year now.

Because my nephew has a disease where he has no immune system, he can actually die if he gets sick.

And this is the reason idiots should get their children vaccinated!

Also my dd has it two days ago and has not got ill at all, neither did she ye first time.

My daughter has had it done before and will be having it done again!

Vaccinations not only stop your child getting these horrible illnesses but stop others who are vulnerable getting them too.

People seem to think flu is just a bad cold when it isn't. It drains you of everything and that can really damage a child's health in the long term.

Yes. At school. No symptoms

Yes because I can’t think of a single reason why I wouldn’t want to decrease his chances of getting a horrible illness

Yes because of the need and benefit of herd immunity. By getting the kids who spread germs vaccinated it protects others who are vulnerable

Yes of course. Last year me and dp caught Australian flu, it was awful. We both were really ill for 10 days then weeks recovering.
He had bilateral pneumonia as a complication and lost 6kg. Fit healthy 33 year old in hospital looking awful. Who knows what it woukd have done to a baby or a frail adult. We were vaccinated but not for this strain, but the NHS does not have a crystal ball.
You can ask for all the personal stories you like but the plural of anecdote is not evidence.

DC1 is 4 yrs old and in reception.

We gave our consent last month and are awaiting- apparently there is a shortage of vaccine??

Why?

Because influenza is utterly grim and totally debilitating- barely able to cope with it as an adult, let alone a little child.

If there is a vaccine available to help prevent our children developing this year's strain....well we are going to take it without hesitation...why would you NOT? (medical conditions/allergies aside)

No. I think the nasal flu vaccine causes more issues than it solves. The shedding period is very long. It's not very effective.

DC1 had it last year aged 3...no side effects or issues.

Touch wood, they have luckily not had any illnesses since then.

Also, to add, do it for heard immunity and protection of those who are immunocompromised/unable to have the vaccine.

In my book, a no brainer.

I refuse for one of my older ones, and allow for the other. One reacts extremely badly to innnoculations.

I am not anti-vax. I think vaccines are marvellous and normally am of the "why wouldn't you" mentality. But not for the flu vaccine.

The flu vaccine for children is mainly to protect the vulnerable. Most children would be fine (though some will sadly die of the flu this year). But as their hygiene isn't the same standard as an adults they are most likely to spread it. The flu vaccine works best in children - it isn't as effective in elderly etc. So vaccinating children is the most effective way of stopping an epidemic.

On a personal level, if you don't get it, you could put anyone at risk who you come into contact with who is very young, elderly, pregnant or has a compromised immune system. If you don't mix with any of the above and won't all winter then it's probably OK.

I got the vaccine this year and felt horribly tired the day after. I saw it as my immune system working and it was still 100x better than catching the flu.

Even if it only prevents 50pc of the strain of flu, as it did last year, that means you're still protected against half of the viruses instead of having protection against none of them so I don't really get the argument of there's no point as not that effective

Lastly you cannot catch flu from a vaccine