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..

You need to grow a pair op

Oh and protect your kid from a serious disease

Yes I consent each year for our two primary school aged children to have it

I'd MUCH rather they have the nasal vaccination than have actual full blown flu, that's nasty stuff I'd prefer my DC didn't catch it!

This

@WhenIgrowup42 thank you for that, I am hoping being around his friends will help him also!

DS had the nasal spray once and was really poorly after it. GP advised he have the jab instead so he's had that every year since.
If I asked him does he want it he'd almost certainly say no - I don't ask him.
If I asked if he wanted McDonalds several times a week he'd almost certainly say yes - I don't ask him.

How can you let a 4yo make the decision herself?

Only one of my kids is of eligible age. She had it a few times, then she missed it two years running due to not being in school on the day, once due to an appointment, once a pre arranged school trip. The school said they would have catch up sessions but never did. I tried to arrange it with our GP but they said it was schools responsibility. It never happened. Then my daughter became vegetarian and has since refused to have it. It’s not one I worry about.

My daughter is older though, I don’t think a 4 year old can really make an informed decision.

Thank you - so far, nothing for DD. This has given me hope! I've not seen her this poorly for a very long time.

You made a mistake asking a 4 year old for vaccination consent OP, there’s a good reason why this is down to the parents.
I understand not wanting to put your kid through any upset where you’re not there to comfort them though, so book an appointment somewhere where you can queue and go in with them? If we all asked our kids what they wanted to do on things, do you think anyone would brush their teeth or eat their fruits and vegetables? Parents parent, kids do as told.

Both my boys (yr 3 and yr 6) had theirs this year. They got a sticker! No side effects. All good!

My daughter is year 9 and only got the consent form last week.

My daughter who is in y3 has had it every year - no issue until this one, she’s been quite unwell but I strongly suspect that’s coincidental given the amount of cold/flu/Covid illnesses going around at the moment.

I strongly believe it is better to vaccinate than not, if there isn’t a genuine health related reason not to. I don’t care about religious beliefs in the slightest where vaccinations are concerned - the only justification for not is a medical one.

My 2 year old became eligible for the nasal vaccine this year... and had it. He will have it every year whether he wants it or not. It takes seconds to administer, is painless and could potentially prevent him from becoming seriously ill. The benefits of the vaccine far outweigh any fleeting discomfort in my opinion.

None of mine have ever had it and I work in pharmaceuticals.

It isn't necessary within their age group and is very ineffectual in any case given that it is a 'best guess' vaccine and based upon hypotheticals.

My Y8’s not getting hers til January either, which seems to defeat the object of protecting the elderly a bit if they’re all going to mix over Christmas.

Sorry you lost me on asking your 4 year old to make a decision about whether she should have a vaccine or not. Is this real?

My kid nearly died of flu at 18months old. Non negotiable! Scariest fucking time ever 5 days hospital trip. Febrile convulsions, drips. 😭.

I'm not an anti vaxxer. My children have all their vaccines but I haven't consented to the flu one last year. It made 2 of my 3 pretty poorly for a few days last year.

My kids don't get to choose to refuse vaccines at age 4.

Eldest has the spray.

Youngest usually has the jab for medical reasons. She hasnt had it this year because we've had to cancel two appointments due to other illnesses. We struggle with this issue every year and next year i plan to pay privately for her to have it as early as possible before she gets hit with all the winter bugs.

This was the first time my 4 year old didn't get it as they no longer do it in gp practice and it wasn't convenient.

She had the flu for 10 days. Temperature up to 42 and hospital trips. Absolutely hate myself for not making the effort to get her flu vaccine. She really suffered.

A four year old.is much too young to make a decision like that.
If course she should have the vaccine, not only go protect herself but to protect others.

How do you know about all the other kids in the school. Some might be gobby anti vaxxers but its likely some just quietly didn’t have it for various other reasons, like my daughter. A child/parent in another class would have no idea.

I will book an appointment with the GP so I can be with her instead.

I think the reason I mentioned it to her and asked was because I was never given the option for pretty much anything as a child. I remember being forced to wear a cardigan with physical abuse, while I was in very hot in Spain, I was only about 6. So that’s probably why I’m “pro” asking my child. And although she’s 4, well closer to 5 than 4, she’s actually quite with it so yes it might seem stupid I’m asking a 4 year old to some, but to me it doesn’t.

As someone mentioned about their child being better with the injection rather than nasal vaccine, I might also ask my GP if she can have that one instead. She’s actually fine with injections and has even had a cannula before without flinching so that might be a better option.

How do you know about all the other kids in the school. Some might be gobby anti vaxxers but its likely some just quietly didn’t have it for various other reasons, like my daughter. A child/parent in another class would have no idea.

Your own child would say 'we all had to go into the hall today except for James'

I work in a school with around 800 kids. In my class around half have agreed to it. they were offered it twice due to a lack of interest the first time.
It's not just 'crazy anti vaxxers' who say no. In my experience a fair few parents decline the vaccine/spray.

Pro vaccine here. Yes to flu jab for my 10 yr old ds. As above, you are the parent and can decide for your child