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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not to give my child Flu jab

422 replies

Binjob118 · 30/09/2023 19:55

My son is 6 and has been offered the nasal flu jab at school. He has had it the last 2 years and had no problems, but I now feel reluctant to give it to him. Does a healthy child really need this? I have to admit this change in my thinking has come about since the COVID vaccine rollout and the many vaccine injuries that seem to be being ignored by the MSM.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Lovewinemorethanhusband · 30/09/2023 20:25

My children don't have it and neither do I, my middle child isn't allowed it so I don't give it to any of them as been advised not to, my husband ignores all medical advice from her paediatrician and gets it himself which infuriates me but he won't be told !

YukoandHiro · 30/09/2023 20:25

Lovewinemorethanhusband · 30/09/2023 20:25

My children don't have it and neither do I, my middle child isn't allowed it so I don't give it to any of them as been advised not to, my husband ignores all medical advice from her paediatrician and gets it himself which infuriates me but he won't be told !

What difference does it make if your DH gets it? The adults don't get the live vaccine, it's a dead one

Somethingsnappy · 30/09/2023 20:25

What are the main arguments that people have if they avoid the flu vaccine? Is it side effects that people are concerned about?

gamerchick · 30/09/2023 20:27

Lovewinemorethanhusband · 30/09/2023 20:25

My children don't have it and neither do I, my middle child isn't allowed it so I don't give it to any of them as been advised not to, my husband ignores all medical advice from her paediatrician and gets it himself which infuriates me but he won't be told !

That doesn't make any sense though. Surely the whole household protected, protects the one who can't have it and why would a doctor say adults can't get it?

I'd be ruddy ignoring him as well.

Alargeoneplease89 · 30/09/2023 20:28

Lovewinemorethanhusband · 30/09/2023 20:25

My children don't have it and neither do I, my middle child isn't allowed it so I don't give it to any of them as been advised not to, my husband ignores all medical advice from her paediatrician and gets it himself which infuriates me but he won't be told !

Sorry to be nosey but intrigued to why your paediatrician gave advice for your DH not to have it.. just working out how something indirect can affect her. (Not judging BTW my kids don't have it done)

jlpth · 30/09/2023 20:28

It's your choice, but my ds was very ill with flu when he was 3. Flu is a nasty illness and I've had a flu jab this year, as have both my kids.

BlueBlubbaWhale · 30/09/2023 20:28

I've never been sold on the flu jab. There's so many strains they basically have to try work which ones are most likely to be doing the rounds that year and it's effectiveness can be quite low due to that. I assume the spray is the same?

PosterBoy · 30/09/2023 20:29

Lovewinemorethanhusband · 30/09/2023 20:25

My children don't have it and neither do I, my middle child isn't allowed it so I don't give it to any of them as been advised not to, my husband ignores all medical advice from her paediatrician and gets it himself which infuriates me but he won't be told !

Why don't you all just get the non-live injection?

Parker231 · 30/09/2023 20:29

cherryscola · 30/09/2023 20:02

@gemloving yep, pay for it every year and both my kids have it too.

Blows my mind anyone would risk it when we have vaccines available but to each their own, I really have very low tolerance for anti vaxxers

Agree - I’ll never understand why anyone wouldn’t take every step to avoid getting any illnesses.

IslaWinds · 30/09/2023 20:31

gamerchick · 30/09/2023 20:27

That doesn't make any sense though. Surely the whole household protected, protects the one who can't have it and why would a doctor say adults can't get it?

I'd be ruddy ignoring him as well.

Show quote history

When you have a vulnerable household member, they usually recommend not having the nasal flu spray because it is a live virus vaccine. You can, however, get the flu jab as that is safe to have and then be around a vulnerable person straight away.

CasperGutman · 30/09/2023 20:31

Apologies for not missing the point of the post here, but YABU because a "jab" is an injection (from the wider meaning of jab as poking someone quickly with something sharp). This isn't an injection, it's a squirt of liquid up the nose.

Original poster
Binjob118 · 30/09/2023 20:31

I only posted this because I am torn on my choice. The fact that there is a debate here perhaps shows that many parents struggle with these decisions. I don't feel like I have enough information to decide. For those criticising me, I also didn't give my son the COVID vaccine when offered. I think this is now no longer recommend for young children. So was I also wrong then?

OP posts:
TurquoiseDress · 30/09/2023 20:32

Yes I would say YABU

I get the whole my child, my choice rhetoric, but the flu vaccine is such a simple thing to prevent potentially severe illness in a child and to not pass it on to elderly/vulnerable relatives and friends at school

Personally, I don't understand why anyone turns it down

Spillwaysofyoursoul · 30/09/2023 20:32

I know a lady who lost her son to flu when he was 7. Tragic, very unusual, but it can be deadly

Original poster
Binjob118 · 30/09/2023 20:34

CasperGutman · 30/09/2023 20:31

Apologies for not missing the point of the post here, but YABU because a "jab" is an injection (from the wider meaning of jab as poking someone quickly with something sharp). This isn't an injection, it's a squirt of liquid up the nose.

You are being pedantic. I clearly said the nasal flu. The method of delivery is not the issue.

OP posts:
muchalover · 30/09/2023 20:34

Flu is not a live vaccine. It CANNOT give you flu. You coincidentally came down with a bug at the same time.

By not vaccinating you are relying on the herd immunity of other people and other children having vaccines. Whilst you may not consider you have a societal responsibility to them, others vaccinate to protect you too. So you benefit.

Children are highly vulnerable to bugs and they run through nurseries and school like wildfire. Not everyone that dies from flu is over 65.

We are v lucky to live in a country with healthcare - whatever you think of it. 1000s of small children die annually in countries that don't have vaccine programmes.

Whilst it is your choice, those who have not been vaccinated and not caught flu have been lucky. Luck runs out. Lots of posters have reported their luck running out and being very ill with flu.

User174085934 · 30/09/2023 20:34

I don't think that MN is really the place to ask OP because people just pile on and call people anti vaxxers, these type of threads attract those type of people

Alargeoneplease89 · 30/09/2023 20:34

You do what you think is right. Someone will come along in a moment and tell you someone they know died from a side effect or from flu - you can't win.

BooseysMom · 30/09/2023 20:35

isadoradancing123 · 30/09/2023 19:59

I would never give it, sorry, but giving my child vaccines to protect the elderly is not something i agree with

I tend to agree. Every year they say the same thing after they rant on about everyone being jabbed to protect themselves and others, that the flu strains aren't all covered and that the jabs weren't really effective..so bollocks to them!

D1nopawus · 30/09/2023 20:36

Giving children the flu jab certainly helps to reduce the circulation in the community, thus helping the elderly and people vulnerable to illness.

Worth remembering too though, that children are exposed to a lot of germs and it both reduces the chance of them contracting flu and being less Ill if they get it.

It also stops a lot of families having miserable Christmases ruined by flu.

But you are completely right to make your own decision OP.

Original poster
Binjob118 · 30/09/2023 20:36

User174085934 · 30/09/2023 20:34

I don't think that MN is really the place to ask OP because people just pile on and call people anti vaxxers, these type of threads attract those type of people

Yes I can see I made a mistake!!

OP posts:
Notagains · 30/09/2023 20:36

Yes yabu. And selfish. Keep him away from elderly and vulnerable people

PinkRoses1245 · 30/09/2023 20:36

Why wouldn’t you? Surely only benefits.

Parker231 · 30/09/2023 20:36

Binjob118 · 30/09/2023 20:31

I only posted this because I am torn on my choice. The fact that there is a debate here perhaps shows that many parents struggle with these decisions. I don't feel like I have enough information to decide. For those criticising me, I also didn't give my son the COVID vaccine when offered. I think this is now no longer recommend for young children. So was I also wrong then?

Why don’t you take medical advice rather than a bunch of non experts on a forum , some of whom are obviously anti vaxxers.

MollyMarples · 30/09/2023 20:37

@Curiosity101 please would you be able to share, what are the statistics you refer to? I’ve just tried to look online and couldn’t find anything