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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask if you and your children have/had the flu jab?

86 replies

Pinkbutton85 · 31/01/2018 11:44

Mine are booked in on Monday. Late I know.

I’m dubious after years of living with a conspiracy theorist...

I’ve read for and against views. People say it isn’t a live vaccine but have gotten ill after the jab?

I’m sat outside Tesco contemplating going in and getting it done now and just not telling OH...

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 31/01/2018 12:01

The nasal one is live but the jab isn't. Ds/dh had no side effects from them

Pinkbutton85 · 31/01/2018 12:08

I’ve just spoken to the pharmacist after deciding to get it, to be told they only have a handful left and as I don’t ‘need’ it to try elsewhere.

Should have gone earlier! Blush

OP posts:
SchnitzelVonKrumm · 31/01/2018 12:09

I get it free at work. No side effects and barely a sniffle for the last four winters.

WonderLime · 31/01/2018 12:11

Reinette

That's unlucky. The vaccination takes a few days to take effect so unfortunately it was just bad timing. Or it could have been a different strain that the one the vaccination covered.

However I do want to say that he absolutely did not get the flu from the vaccination.

Backingvocals · 31/01/2018 12:19

I had the flu jab before Xmas and DS has had it at school. I am currently on day 4 of the worst illness I’ve had for years. Temp of 39 every night. Cannot stand up. Could cry with exhaustion. Dr said it’s the flu - just a different strain Sad

Shadow666 · 31/01/2018 12:21

I think it takes 2 weeks to become effective.

It's peak at the moment. Might be as well skipping it this year and making sure to get it in the autumn

Shadow666 · 31/01/2018 12:24

My kids did get the jabs, but 3 got the flu anyway. They got B type at the end of the year, but A and B are both doing the rounds now in my area. I also got the jab but didn't get the flu yet .

We get it every year. It's not the most effective vaccine but better than nothing.

Teapotmadam · 31/01/2018 12:28

ds had it (nasal spray) he was fine, he's had it every year as he has asthma, he's only 3 so first year he's not had it as an injection, he's had no side effects on any of them.

I haven't but I have a needle phobia, otherwise probably would.

DisabledUserName · 31/01/2018 12:30

It takes a couple of weeks to get immunity. By mid Feb we will be past peak flu season so I wouldn't do it now personally.

Herewegoagain01 · 31/01/2018 12:34

Dcs get it, I don’t. One dc got flu, I didn’t. Not convinced by it, but one has asthma so wouldn’t want him to get flu if any way preventable.

Birdsgottafly · 31/01/2018 12:35

The specialist on This Morning said that it is still worth getting. This was after a healthy child got Flu and died within two days. There have been deaths of healthy children and adults this season.

I don't understand why you wouldn't get it tbh.

Elementtree · 31/01/2018 12:36

I’ve just spoken to the pharmacist after deciding to get it, to be told they only have a handful left and as I don’t ‘need’ it to try elsewhere.

If it makes you feel any better, even in the first week of November the pharmacist at Asda said they were low and had stopped doing vaccinations for those who weren't NHS patients.

MiddleagedManic · 31/01/2018 12:41

I'm with WonderLime!! It's rare to meet someone who's had flu who doesn't get vaccinated. We all have ours done every year, even though DH is lucky enough to ever have had flu before as I will do anything to prevent any of us having it, never want to pass it on to anyone who would die from it and selfishly, I don't want to not get it but have to nurse DH through it :D I can't imagine DS getting it and having to watch him through that. No brainer, get it done. Think of the social responsibility. I think everyone should have to have it otherwise we are saying it's ok for some people to die from this virus that can be (not guaranteed, I know) prevented/lessened.

SisyphusDad · 31/01/2018 12:54

I've had it for five or six years now. No adverse reaction at all and no flu.

I know it's only meant to protect against the most likely strain of flu but as a lone parent, being that ill would be very bad news, so I'm up for anything that can help to reduce the risk.

daisypond · 31/01/2018 13:02

No, never, and neither have my DC (late teens) or DH. I thought it was just for those in vulnerable groups or some jobs. I didn't know you could just go in and ask for it. Mind you, I've never had flu (I'm in my early 50s).

pinkie1982 · 31/01/2018 13:06

I had mine and my DS had the nasal spray. I was fine. DS got a nosebleed a few days after but Dr said it wasn't related to the vaccine. Neither of us were ill after it and so far avoided the flu that ravaged my parents house (4 people) and my partner who ended up with pneumonia and went to hospital in an ambulance... still...not the end of flu season yet.

MatildaTheCat · 31/01/2018 13:06

I had it about three weeks ago. Pharmacist said it would take 2-3 weeks to be fully effective. After about two weeks I picked up the worst virus I’ve had in six years. Not flu but certainly very nasty. I do suspect that my immune system may have been compromised as suggested upthread.

Dazedandconfuzzled · 31/01/2018 13:07

Me and dd have had. Me cause I'm pregnant and dd cause she's 3 so is offered it routinely. I don't normally get it as I'm not a vulnerable person. I would get dd to have it every year though as it's more dangerous in children statistically speaking.

Coyoacan · 31/01/2018 13:08

I don't see the point, frankly. I've seen so many years where they announce that the previous years' vaccine was only minimally effective and yes, often the only people who get the flu are the ones who've been vaccinated.

Also every vaccine does carry elements that are toxic for the body, so I consider a yearly vaccine to be more detrimental.

LaPampa · 31/01/2018 13:14

I had one which I paid for on the basis that even having one day off sick is inconvenient, let alone 2 weeks.

flobella · 31/01/2018 13:20

The nasal spray (the one they give to children) is a live vaccine so there is a small chance that it could make the person receiving it feel a little under the weather for a few days. The injection they give to adults is not a live vaccine so any illness experienced around this time is purely coincidental. It simply can't 'make' you ill although, of course, it is given in winter when most bugs are going around and so, statistically, some people are going to get ill at this time.

It doesn't prevent all strains and flu and there is a good chance you could still catch flu anyway. However, there is also a good chance that it will offer protection and bearing in mind how awful genuine flu really is, and how many have suffered with it this winter, it is still (in my view) worth having.

Myself (pregnant), my husband (paid at Boots) and my son (had it at the GP surgery) have had it this year and I am glad we did. So far, touch wood, no flu in our house and I am reassured that even if one of us did catch it, and become very poorly, that I did everything in my power to prevent that.

People worrying about conspiracy toxins are usually basing their opinion that comes from America where they use different ingredients in their vaccinations and operate different vaccination schedules to us.

In terms of the specific flu vaccine, it won't necessarily be a case of life or death making a decision either way for you. You haven't mentioned any issues with your immunity etc. Some people with compromised immune systems do die from flu but healthy people can usually recover well. However, I hate being ill, I really can't bear it so I will try anything in my power to avoid it. I am generally very pro-vaccine.

Skowvegas · 31/01/2018 13:20

I've just lost my cousin to flu in her early 40's so the whole family is booking jabs ASAP.

I'm so sorry.

My stepsister died of flu a couple of years ago (in her 40s). It is devastating.

OP - yes, I get the flu shot every year. When someone in your family has died of something that there is a vaccine for you do see things a little differently to the conspiracy theorists I guess.

jwpetal · 31/01/2018 13:22

I have never had the jab and all 3 of my children were offered the nasal spray. We have had adverse reactions for previous vaccinations that led to one child being in hospital for 3 weeks. I have read the pros and cons and have taken advice from various professionals.

My husband and I have decided that we will not have the vaccine. My children are up to date on all other vaccines.

flobella · 31/01/2018 13:22

I should also add that none of us experienced even the slightest side effect from the vaccine (or any other vaccine for that matter).

Dodie66 · 31/01/2018 13:27

Saw my doc last week and he said not to have it. He said this years is not very effective. My hubby saw him too and he advised him not to have it because he has M.E and it might make that worse

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