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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AiBU to be hesitating over whether toddler shld have the nasal flu vaccine?

120 replies

heatherscot · 10/10/2018 12:03

Have you guys done it, what are the side effects, is it effective, is flu that bad (usually)? Toddler in question will be around old people, new baby and preggo people quite a bit so is it irresponsible not to vaccinate?

OP posts:
CorianderSnell · 10/10/2018 17:23

www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004879.pub5/abstract

The above shows there is a small reduction in flu for healthy children. It is no guarantee that they’ll avoid flu altogether. I find it very disingenuous of the NHS to not cite the stats in their information leaflet to parents and to imply by stating that it ‘protects your children’, that it is very effective in preventing flu.

One serious side effect was reported for one brand of vaccine. Otherwise it looks like there’s not much reliable data on side effects?

As I understand it the effectiveness varies each year and across different populations (eg last year the vaccine showed no benefit at all for the over 75s according to a recent news story).

I had a strong reaction to the vaccine in pregnancy (4 days in bed with no energy and my arm was very very sore) so I am wary of it, but my older children got the nasal vaccine at school last year with no issues.

mindutopia · 10/10/2018 17:29

I would just get it. Mine has had it the past 4 years and she’s never had any side effects. It’s super easy and she actually looks forward to getting it now because she thinks it’s funny to have something sprayed up her nose. I get flu jab every year myself and similarly have never had any side effects (also never had the flu either, which I’m grateful for!). Under 5s are a significant risk group for serious illness and death due to flu, so I definitely would.

notapizzaeater · 10/10/2018 17:31

We've just got back from the doctors having had it it's not just the, you are protecting it's everyone they could come into contact with.

SoyDora · 10/10/2018 17:35

Mine have it. No side effects. We were told there was a possibility of reduced appetite and a very low chance of a temperature. Better than flu, which can kill.

PinkAvocado · 10/10/2018 17:38

We do firstly to protect the children from it and secondly to stop them getting it and spreading it to those who are not entitled to it or cannot get it due to health issues.

Nutkins24 · 10/10/2018 17:39

We had it last year. No side effects.

Goldenbug · 10/10/2018 17:41

Happy anniversary to Spanish Flu! 100 years ago in 1918 it infected about 500,000,000 people and killed between 20,000,000 and 50,000,000.

HungryHippoMummy · 10/10/2018 17:48

Sorry to jump on someone else's thread, but someone up thread mentioned an immunocompromised person in the house? I'm trying to decide whether to get my toddler the nasal spray or whether to see if she can have the jab privately because I'm immunocompromised. I asked the surgery and the nurse knew nothing. I'm also wary because the last live vaccine she had (rota) made me really ill despite all the handwashing in the world. Any advice appreciated!

BillywigSting · 10/10/2018 17:54

Having had the flu twice in my life and the flu vaccine every year since the first bout, I know for sure which I prefer.

Every now and then I've had a bit of a runny nose /been a bit tired etc after the vaccine but it's a walk in the park compared to the actual flu, where you genuinely feel like you are going to die (second one had me hospitalised as a fit and healthy 20 something).

So my dc has had all of his flu vax because I really wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy

ForgivenessIsDivine · 10/10/2018 18:03

The nasal flu vaccine sheds live viruses for up to two weeks. The vaccine programme last year was deemed to be 35% vaccinated. Adverse drug reactions (all drugs) killed 6 times more people than the number quoted for flu deaths up thread.

A school closed due to flu... might have been due to all those viruses being shed by those who had received the nasal flu vaccine. If your children do have it, do keep they away from old people, babies and pregnant women for at least two weeks afterwards.

misspopsicle · 10/10/2018 18:13

My dad died of the flu 4 years ago. It was awful. So I'd definitely say get the vaccination. For context, he was in his 50s and otherwise healthy.

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 10/10/2018 18:20

My kids have it every year. I do through work as well. One year I had a sore arm for a bit and last year one kid complained he didn’t like it.

I wouldn’t consider not having it tbh. I trust that it’s the best option for them.

AmIRightOrAMeringue · 10/10/2018 18:23

If you're around old people pregnant people and a new baby I am struggling to believe you'd even question getting it. The flu may or may not be that bad for your toddler - in all likelihood they'd be OK. But it could kill the rest of them, who are not eligible for a vaccine or for whom a vaccine is less effective. Not a risk I'd be comfortable taking

Soubriquet · 10/10/2018 18:26

My two had it last year with no side effects.

They will have it this year too.

My dd even had hers one year on the same day as her MMR booster.

Still no side effects

Ledehe · 10/10/2018 18:37

My children have had the nasal sprays for a last few years with no side effects. The most common side effect is a runny nose.

Someone said they wouldn't bother with the vaccine this year - you need it every year due to the amount of changes in the viral makeup from year to year

If you are immunocompromised then get your kid the injection rather than the nasal spray. The kids can spread for 2 weeks afterwards with the spray.

I think it's important to get the vaccine. The NHS would not offer it if it was not deemed important.

Ledehe · 10/10/2018 18:42

Oh and the person upthread who is scaremongering about keeping your kids away from old and pregnant people after the nasal spray.....firstly the virus is deactivated so only a problem to immunocompromised people. Secondly all pregnant and over are offered the vaccine which would not be given to them if it was a danger.

Yes last year's batch wasn't as effective as the virus mutated quicker than expected. This year's flu is expected to be horrendous though and vaccine up to 90 per cent effective for protection against or a light dose if you get it. No vaccine is 100 per cent effective

FESus · 10/10/2018 18:45

Mine were in a pilot area so they’ve been having it for years. I get mine through work every year. This year two of them are in secondary so I’ve paid for them to have them privately (boots are doing them for 10+, selected stores).

I know a family who lost their 9 year old perfectly healthy and robust son to the flu.

Why would anyone risk it?

nomorespaghetti · 10/10/2018 18:51

@HungryHippoMummy that was me, DH takes immunosuppressants. He gets the jab each year. I asked the doctor when DD had the nasal spray whether the shedding of the vaccine might be an issue, for DH or for new baby (who was born the day after DD got the vaccine). It was the practice manager, very competent doc who i trust, he said there was a hypothetical risk, but it hasn't been known to be passed on that way. Anyway, it's been almost 2 weeks since DD had it (DH and I got the jab at the same time) and no-one has been ill.

Bigkingdom · 10/10/2018 18:53

As long as you know that last year it had an effective rate of just 26% thengo agead.

I think parents are falsely advised and think that their child is safe from flu after the nasal spray. Not the case.

www.gov.uk/government/news/flu-vaccine-effectiveness-in-2017-to-2018-season

Chesterfieldsofa · 10/10/2018 18:56

Get the flu jab/spray whatever. Everyone, as soon as you can. Either you've had flu and realise why people can die from it, or you watch too many 'cold and flu remedy' adverts and think it's a bad cold. Its truly vile and nothing like having a cold. Why would you want your child to suffer?

Wolfiefan · 10/10/2018 18:57

It protects against the most likely strain. The efficacy varies.
@nomorespaghetti. Thanks. I’ve just started immuno suppressants and that’s reassuring. I was going to speak to the specialist but no appointment for a couple of weeks yet. I shall unclench. Grin

OhHolyJesus · 10/10/2018 18:59

I'm interested and both myself and DH pay for the flu vaccine so we don't risk having to be off work (at least it limits the things we could be off with) but I read it has pork gelatine in it and whilst that makes me gag a bit I'm not sure it will stop me entirely.

Reading feedback here will help me decide!

Chesterfieldsofa · 10/10/2018 19:00

As long as you know that last year it had an effective rate of just 26% thengo agead.

Last year was tricky - it's a tough one to predict, but I would be thrilled to be one of the 26% that stayed healthy.

JosellaPlayton · 10/10/2018 19:04

I know you’re probably in the U.K. but American Academy of Paediatrics doesn’t recommends against the flu nasal spray as it’s so ineffective and instead recommends that all children get the flu shot. So if it’s an option for you then I’d pay for the injection at a chemist’s instead. But flu can be nasty, it’s important to get vaccinated.

Frogsareawesome · 10/10/2018 19:11

I've had the jab 3 times in pregnancy and my DC have had the spray 6 times (3dc). No side effects for any of us. I'd always choose it.