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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To keep DS off during flu vaccines?

22 replies

MontezumasPuma · 22/09/2023 18:32

DS has just had a serious episode of wheezing, resulting in blue lights, nebuliser twice to stabilise 80% oxygen and a night in A&E. The school flu vaccines are next Friday 6th. He can’t have his vaccine that day as it’s within a fortnight of the wheezing incident but I’m worried about him being exposed to shedding from other children so am inclined to keep him at home for the day. AIBU?

OP posts:
Justmuddlingalong · 22/09/2023 18:37

If I understand shedding correctly, it's possible from a live virus vaccine. I had my flu jag last week and was told it's not a live vaccine.

AuntMarch · 22/09/2023 18:48

The nasal vaccine the children are given is a live vaccine.
Risk is considered very low, I'd probably ask GP advice if you are concerned though.

Justmuddlingalong · 22/09/2023 18:50

I didn't know the nasal vaccine is different, so ignore my comment.

NikkiNokkiNooNah · 22/09/2023 18:52

I would absolutely keep my child off. The vaccine is a live attenuated virus and as such the patient information leaflet states that anyone who has the vaccine should not be around immunosuppressed people for up to 14 days so they are aware that shedding happens. The fact that no one ever shows you the leaflet is a joke as how can informed consent be given unless full disclosure of the contraindications and warnings is given.

CeciNestPasUnPipi · 22/09/2023 18:56

Live virus: I'd be keeping him off, and would be mitigating against infection for a few days after that too.

Lastchancechica · 22/09/2023 18:58

Are you going to take him separately for the vaccine as soon as he is well? I wouldn’t take any risks with my child that was blue lighted to hospital so recently.

Studswagger · 22/09/2023 19:01

I’d keep him off and take him to the gp for the vaccine when he is well enough.

carfreedom · 22/09/2023 19:06

Oh no I wish I hadn't read this. I'm now worrying.

I have a younger child who can't get the vaccine yet and an oder child who can get the nasal one. Does this mean she could infect him ?

She had it last year when he was just a few months old and nothing happened. Now I'm worried.

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 22/09/2023 19:07

It’s not live it’s attenuated 🙄

bettynutkins · 22/09/2023 19:09

carfreedom · 22/09/2023 19:06

Oh no I wish I hadn't read this. I'm now worrying.

I have a younger child who can't get the vaccine yet and an oder child who can get the nasal one. Does this mean she could infect him ?

She had it last year when he was just a few months old and nothing happened. Now I'm worried.

I'm worrying too! I didn't know this. My son is having his next week but my daughter is too young.

Iam4eels · 22/09/2023 19:12

From the link posted:

There is no evidence that healthy unvaccinated people can catch flu from the nasal flu spray (either from airborne spray droplets in the room where the vaccine is given, or from vaccinated individuals ‘shedding’ the virus).

It is known that vaccinated children shed the virus for a few days after vaccination (through sneezing or coughing). However, the vaccine virus is weakened, and so it is much less able to spread from person to person than flu viruses that circulate during the flu season, and it cannot grow inside the body. The amount of virus that children shed is normally below the levels needed to pass on infection to others. The virus does not survive for long outside the body.

It is therefore not necessary for children to be excluded from school during the period when the vaccine is being given. The only exception is the very small number of children who are extremely immunocompromised (for example, those who have just had a bone marrow transplant). These children are usually advised not to attend school anyway, because of the higher risk of being in contact with infections that circulate in schools.

So unless you're severely immunocompromised, you don't need to worry about shedding from the nasal spray.

AuntMarch · 22/09/2023 19:12

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 22/09/2023 19:07

It’s not live it’s attenuated 🙄

The live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) contains live forms of flu virus which have been weakened (attenuated).

cptartapp · 22/09/2023 19:14

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 22/09/2023 19:07

It’s not live it’s attenuated 🙄

It is live, albeit attenuated.
Practice nurse.

dontbenastyhaveapasty · 22/09/2023 19:22

NikkiNokkiNooNah · 22/09/2023 18:52

I would absolutely keep my child off. The vaccine is a live attenuated virus and as such the patient information leaflet states that anyone who has the vaccine should not be around immunosuppressed people for up to 14 days so they are aware that shedding happens. The fact that no one ever shows you the leaflet is a joke as how can informed consent be given unless full disclosure of the contraindications and warnings is given.

Edited

What do you mean, no-one ever shows you the leaflet?

In my county, we’re sent an online consent form (without which the child won’t be vaccinated) with a link to the vaccine info. I read it. It just isn’t true that “no-one” shows you the leaflet, although of course if you choose not to read it nobody can force you…

NerrSnerr · 22/09/2023 19:37

@bettynutkins did you read the link that pp posted? Unless your daughter is severely immunocompromised she'll be fine.

bettynutkins · 22/09/2023 20:00

NerrSnerr · 22/09/2023 19:37

@bettynutkins did you read the link that pp posted? Unless your daughter is severely immunocompromised she'll be fine.

I have read it now, thank you 🙂

UnmentionedElephantDildo · 22/09/2023 20:04

Unless your DC has been told never to receive a live vaccination (severely immune compromised) the exposure to the attenuated strain in the sniff vaccine does not pose a risk

DC shed for several days (even weeks) after receiving the sniff, so keeping your DC off for just one day will not have any significant protective effect

Pythonesque · 22/09/2023 20:40

Any viral shedding will not be happening on the day the vaccines are given, but over a few days following.

Mumof2teens79 · 22/09/2023 20:44

Where are you?
Nhs say 72hrs clear for asthma attack, not 14 days?

Mumof2teens79 · 22/09/2023 20:45

Mumof2teens79 · 22/09/2023 20:44

Where are you?
Nhs say 72hrs clear for asthma attack, not 14 days?

Also if that's the case they recommend injected vaccine, not missing it or taking time off school

PenguinPete · 22/09/2023 20:50

Shedding isn't real. Stop reading conspiracy theories.

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