Flu nasal spray

[MaryBoBary]

My DS (almost 3) is entitled to get the flu vaccination nasal spray. He has always had all his vaccinations but OH is querying if this one is really necessary. I feel he should have it because flu to a young child can be very dangerous and I wouldn’t want to take the risk.

OHs argument is that flu is not a life threatening disease (which other vaccinations he’s had have been for), and so is just pumping something into him that he doesn’t need. We are also about to move to the middle of nowhere, so tiny population meaning minimal risk to DS compared to if we were living in a city. Plus there is a risk the nasal spray will make him ill anyway.

So is the flu vaccine vital? Have other parents chosen not to do it? What are the reasons for and against?

Flu can kill. Including the young and apparently healthy. Your DH does not sound well informed.

No, you don't have to get the sniff. They're not aiming for herd immunity in the same way as they do for other jabs. But I wouidn't want my DC to have flu (they're older and I pay for them to get the jabs).

The nasal spray will not make DC ill. Side effects can include some (mid) flu-like symptoms, but it really isn't the illness.

If you live somewhere where you have zero contact with the outside world, younare unlikely to be at risk. But I doubt anywhere in UK is that isolated (other than for determined hermits who shun company and have everything delivered and left at the gate)

Flu is 100% a life threatening illness how can you not know that with all the publicity out there ?

Please get your child vaccinated for the sake of children like mine. My two year old is immunocompromised due to a chronic health condition and as she takes meds to suppress her immune system and cannot have the nasal flu vaccine as it's live. I'm not sure at the moment whether or not she is able to have the non live vaccine. If your child is offered a vaccine grab the chance.

Thanks everyone, you are confirming things for me. We will be meeting our brand new niece at Christmas too and would hate to pass anything on to her. Or grandparents that we will be seeing.