To ask my family to have the flu jab this year?

[BakedPotatoBeansCheeseColeslaw]

This is a genuine AIBU because i’m not sure and I see some crazy “rules” around new babies and postpartum bubbles these days. I also don’t want to be one of those people who act like they’re the first person in the world to have a baby.

Anyway…

I’m currently pregnant and due right before Christmas. The most likely situation is that I will have a very fresh baby for Christmas this year and I know well meaning family will want to come and visit and meet baby. We also would like to celebrate Christmas although obviously not sure what that will look like yet.

Would it be reasonable to ask that anyone who wants to meet baby over Christmas has the flu jab this year?

Nope. Merely pointing out that you just can't guarantee who has had the jab or not

I would object to being asked to have the flu jab just to protect your PFB.
Firstly you should have it yourself while pregnant this will help baby and bf if possible to reduce the risk further.
I will be having the flu jab myself as I wish to protect myself as much as possible and also protecting my patients who have increased risk of flu complications.

You can ask and they can refuse. I haven’t had a flu jab in over 15 years as when I did have it, I was really ill after a couple of hours and on my arse for over 6 weeks. Haven’t had one since and haven’t had flu either. It’s not really up to you to decide what vaccinations people should get. I had family see both of my boys hours after they were born without knowing their vaccination status, both winter babies with colds and viruses rampant at both times. My boys never got ill.

I agree

Don’t be so ridiculous.

You wouldn't want them catching a cold, COVID, herpes, chicken pox, scarlet fever, norovirus, or the flu. Why just be worried about flu?

I'd just say don't come if you are ill in any way and make sure they have washed their hands.

I would honk it was madness if someone suggested I got the flu vaccine to see their baby.

I wouldn’t do it.

you do realise that the doctors basically guess what flu we will have and then flu vaccine is a guess as to what flu it is and it might not even protect that variant of the flu that hits us.

There are potential side effects and allergies. I wouldn't visit until the baby was 21 years of age, or older, I guess.

For some people it is a big ask. Not everyone's immune system is the same.