Thinking this year is more important than ever to have flu vaccine?

[ellieboulou33]

Big debate on our class what's app about the annual school flu vaccine, I've kept quiet with my opinion as prefer to remain neutral on these group chats but have replied saying my children would be having it.

On here I'm anonymous so can give my view which is, I think it's so important this year more than ever to vaccinate!

With everything going on I think any additional protection is a bonus.

A few mums are ranting that they don't trust it and for those that ARE vaccinating our kids, we had better take time to look up what goes into it.

AIBU to be pro flu vaccine?

Those of you who have had it. What are you going to do / what did you do if you / kids got a temperature after?

I'd be surprised if mine did get a temperature after, given that they've had the flu jab every year for about 14 years without any side effects.

But I would keep them home while they had the temperature, and call their doctor to find out what to do next - making sure the doctor knew they'd just had the flu jab.

I've been thinking about this. Do adults get high temp etc symptoms after the jab?

Damn right I’ll be having one. Never bothered before (although dc always got done at school), but I was hospitalised with flu last December and it was horrific. I never want to feel like that again.

I had the flu 20 years ago and I was very poorly and off work for nearly a month.
I don't know why but I've never had the flu vaccine but if having the vaccine helps with my chances against Covid then count me in. I'm booked in at Tesco's for Monday night.
DH get his flu jab on the NHS because of a health problem he has but I have to pay - £9. Seems a fair price to me.

@HunterHearstHelmsley

I've never had the flu vaccine. I've never had the flu.

There won't be enough vaccines to go around everyone (as usual). Its pretty selfish to have the vacinnation just in case. More so this year than ever. The vulnerable must be the priority.

The vulnerable are the priority which is why the health service are getting priority groups vaccinated first.

Letter from the school to accompany consent form states

"By having the flu vaccination, children are less likely to pass the virus on to friends and family, especially those who may be at greater risk from flu, such as infants, elderly people or friends and relatives with a serious health condition."

Not sure how that is being selfish?
**

I've booked 'flu and pneumonia jabs for mid October. After that I am going to ask for the shingles vacc. We have to do all we can to protect ourselves.

I've booked mine. Primary aged dc are having theirs done at school unless dc4 refuses like he did last year. If he refuses again I will have to grovel to the gp receptionist and hopefully get him done there.

@HunterHearstHelmsley

I've never had the flu vaccine. I've never had the flu.

When are these findings going to be published in Nature? They’re going to absolutely change the world of medicine.

It’s recommended for those who don’t have natural immunity or who have a weak immune system. I’m healthy so won’t be getting it. With all the masks and social distancing I’m unlikely to get flu - I usually don’t get it in a normal year, think I’ve only had it a few times in my life.

I pay to have it. Don't fancy flu.
Had it once and it was bloody awful. Heart rate was 150 just getting up to go the loo (usually 55bpm m, fit runner). Serious business flu.
My friend is and A and E consultant and had a fit mum in her 30s just die from flu

Getting the flu during this pandemic is not advised! But of course the usual lunatics are spreading their paranoia and their 'research'. One I know believes simultaneously somehow that Covid (a) isn't real and (b) it was circulated around the world in these nefarious flu vaccines.

There is no such thing as natural immunity to the flu.

A quick thank you to everyone who is getting it. You are helping to protect people like me and I appreciate it.

I had flu and then Covid. I'm convinced it made the Covid a lot worse because my immune system was already low from the flu. I daren't get flu again as I'm only just recovering properly from Covid. I'm paying for it privately. It only costs a tenner and it's worth it to me for peace of mind.

Yep we will be having it. I always get it through work anyway and my youngest has it at school. We have decided this year to pay for my partner and older children to have it privately this year to a) prevent isolation and covid testing when it’s flu b) to reduce the risk of catching covid and flu which could be a death sentence if you were unlucky enough to be exposed to both.

I'm offered it every year at work. I don't usually bother but I'll take it this year, figure that can help to take the pressure off a bit whilst we deal with Covid

Me too! I never get the flu jab even though it’s free a work. My parents get it done. I am seriously considering it due to the pandemic.

I dint understand people saying I've never had flu so I won't get the jab. I hadn't had flu and never had the jab even though it was offered for free at work. I had flu in my early 30s. I have never been so ill ever. I was unable move hardly for 10 days, off work 3 weeks and was unable to return to exercise for nearly 3 months. I was fit and healthy before that. I have the jab every year now.

@stairway

The problem with the nasal vaccine is that it contains pork gelatine so many ethnic minorities and vegetarians cannot have it

Actually, if you look this up, the Muslim Council of Britain have stated that the amount of pork gelatin in the spray is so minute, it is negligible and Muslims are allowed to have it!

For those saying ppl wont have flu as they have COVID, you could have them jointly.

Every year I laugh at the braggers on fb who say they've got the flu, but still dragged themself into work.

I'll be paying for the vaccine again this year.

@Walkley18

I've been thinking about this. Do adults get high temp etc symptoms after the jab?

No, bit of a sore arm for a couple of hours and that's it.

@stairway

The problem with the nasal vaccine is that it contains pork gelatine so many ethnic minorities and vegetarians cannot have it

Many people of the religions you are talking about do have it. Some choose not to. It’s a choice, not a ‘cannot have it’.

DD has had hers, mine is booked (privately as I’m not eligible). Family members in the NHS have reported their work flu jab clinics getting much higher take up than usual, and I was put in an online queue just to be able to get onto the Boots booking site. Hopefully take up could be good this year.

We have decided this year to pay for my partner and older children to have it privately this year to a) prevent isolation and covid testing when it’s flu

This is my rationale too

The nasal spray for the under 18’s is fantastic as it works in two ways.
You have a local reaction in the nose, where the spray goes, and a general reaction in the body.
The local reaction in the nose prevents/reduces flu breathed into the nose taking hold.
And it contains four types of flu that are predicted to be the worst cases this winter.
Please think about preventing the double whammy of flu and Covid.

My understanding is that they’d stopped using the nasal vaccine in the US as it was found to be ineffective?