Flu vaccine for primary school age children?

[Gem123J]

Not really aibu, just wondered how many parents consented to their child having the flu vaccine (nasal spray).

I’m only asking because my daughter (who is 4) had it last year, and the previous, but this time as it was being done in school I had a form to sign. Last year my daughter absolutely hated it, she was quite groggy afterwards so I didn’t want her just turning up to school one day and her having to have it without knowing. So I told her about it and asked if she wanted it and explained why they give it of course, but she was adamant she didn’t want it so of course I said no to her having it.

I didn’t worry too much because they don’t have it under the age of two, and with it being fairly new (wasn’t around when I was little), I thought it can’t be extremely bad for her not to have it. But I read a story about a family (in America) that had 3 sick children in hospital with the flu, but still not extremely sick, but sick enough to be in hospital! So I am a bit worried now!

Just wanted to know who out there does or does not allow their children to have the flu vaccine basically..

Always give it. Every year some kids get really sick with flu. At that age it's parental choice

My kids have it every year. Only a few kids in their school don't have it but their parents are anti vaxxers.

We've always consented for DD to have the flu vaccine. This year is the first year she's been ineligible (Y9) and she has the flu. She's absolutely floored with it.

1. I don’t want my son to catch flu and be unwell
2. I don’t want anyone to catch flu from him
3. It he catches flu we will need one of us to have time off work

Vaccine every time here.

You’re the parent. You don’t delegate decisions on vaccines to 4 year olds.

Flu can be very nasty. You should book a catch up vaccine.

You are in charge- you need to make the decisions. I would not ask a child if they wanted a vaccine.
Of course she should have it.
The flu vaccine saves many lives each year

I've consented but not sure how it will go down. He's had it done at doctors previously with me holding him so not sure about how he will fare at school

Flu is terrible. My DDs 10yo very healthy friend ended up in hospital with it last week, and our class of 30 hasn't had more than 24 for two or three weeks. There is a nasty flu strain right now that I would happily avoid my DDs having.

Both mine had theirs.

7 out of 30 in my class didn't have it this year.

I have always consented to the vaccine for my DC. Unfortunately, DD has serious fears around things like this and she has yet to manage a full vaccine. I think one year she managed to get it in one nostril. But basically, it's been a disaster. So this year, Year 3, I finally agreed to not make her do it. I am not happy about it but she is broadly a happy and healthy child and the sheer panic and fear that she experiences is counter productive to longer term health care.

But it took YEARS to get to this point. I insisted in reception, year 1 and year 2. Talked to teachers. Agreed strategies to make it easier for her - one year DS was called from his classroom to do ti with her. Another year, her best friend was made number 1 and she was number 2 in an attempt to reduce the opportunity for her to panic. That was the only year we got any meds in her - one nostril. Sort of.

I would have tried a bit harder before letting your DD decide no.

I have an 11 year old with damaged vocal chords due to catching flu when he was 3! We vaccinate all the way

Exactly this.

DS is 5 and in year 1, he has his tomorrow. He is also awaiting diagnosis for ASD but I explained that the choice are 1.risking having flu 2.injection vaccination which Mummy and Daddy have or 3.nasal vaccination. He understands and he knows the vaccination is tomorrow so it’s not a surprise.

I Actually despair.

A tenner says at some point in the next 4mth you complain that someone you care about can’t get a GP appt.

Sort yourself out.

My DCs got the flu shot (that’s what’s offered in Canada) on Sunday. Obviously they didn’t like it (who does???), but getting the flu is worse. My DCs are 5, 3 and 1.

I used to be pretty chill about flu shots. I’d maybe get them every 3-4 years, if it was convenient. But then two things happened: 1) I caught the flu when I was a healthy 24-year-old, felt the worst I’ve felt in my life, and couldn’t leave the sofa for nearly a week. 2) my aunt put the fear of God in me after her three healthy DCs ended up in hospital with the flu all at the same time - the worst couple of nights of her life. Her DCs are fine now, and were fine within the week, but the experience was terrifying for her and she made me swear to vaccinate my kids every year.

Yes, the flu is mild for most people, but it’s also one of the top causes of death in our society. Why risk it?

I’ve vaccinated DD every year shes been eligible, DD2 for the first time this year as she’s now eligible. We also have a baby so I want to protect him as well. The flu can be really nasty, I’d rather them be vaccinated. If your DD doesn’t want it at school you can book her in for your the nurse at your GP practice to do it.

My DD (now year 2) was similar... But actually she did really well at school. In reception, she refused at first and her teacher said he was about to write me a note to declare the refusal (the only one in her class! 🤦), but he was really good and managed to convince her. He took her back later on with a friend and she then had it.

She still doesn't like it, but had it done last year with no fuss. I think the peer pressure and being with friends actually helped.

Weirdly she is fine with injections!

Ridiculous decision to put to a 4YO, they don’t understand the consequences, the risk or even what flu is at that age. If I asked mine of course she would have said that she didn’t want it. Instead I signed the consent form, said nothing to her and she happily had it at school because everyone else did. No big deal.

@Bokky my Y9 has been offered a nasal flu vaccine through school - not til January tho.....

Flu is really horrible, I would definitely want to avoid DCs having it.
And I wouldn’t ask a four year old child if they want a vaccine. They are not able to make that kind of informed decision for themselves or think ahead about what having flu would be like - that’s your job.
Chances are she’ll be fine and not catch the flu - but that’s because most of us do choose to get our children vaccinated. You’re welcome.

Perfectly put

Rates of flu in children are rising currently. Look up news articles. I have had all 3 of mine vaccinated by nasal spray and no issues at all.

Did I read that correctly? You asked a 4 YEAR OLD if they wanted a flu shot?

Who's the parent here?

Dd punched the poor nurse in the face last year when I took her to get it at the surgery. HATES having anything up her nose, hates it.

She had it at school this year (in reception), I'd forgotten it was flu vaccine day, and she didn't even mention it. No drama. She saw all her mates have it, and just had it. Job done.

My son was upset that I had consented when lots of other children's parents hadn't! I explained that flu is nasty and he really wouldn't want to get it, and an annoying squirt up the nose was far better! He was fine 😆