Flu vaccine

[Idontwant2]

So that time is upon us again and I’ve received a letter to book my DS age 3 in for the nasal flu vaccine.

Please can you give me your experiences of it because when DS has it last year beginning of November within 3 days he had the runny nose, temp, sore throat, cough etc... the illness went on and on till Xmas, he missed most of the last 8 weeks of preschool but also shared it around the house with us all so me, DP & DD all we’re ill with chest infections, pneumonia, tonsillitis and even conjunctivitis.

I know the illnesses could all just be a coincidence with the timing but I’m nervous to put everyone through it all again but I’m also nervous not to get him protected if I can.

I’ve also heard that the shot instead of the spray could be a better option???

This thread isn’t about being for or against vaccines, but I just want to get some views on others experience with this particular one even though ultimately the decision will be mine entirely.

Following! Ds booked in next week but I'm having a wobble

My kids are 6 and 8, have always had the nasal spray and have never had the flu, or any other problems with the vaccine. It doesn't contain any live viruses so cannot cause the flu. Your DS more than likely already had the flu when the spray was administered and it was just a coincidence. Or he may of caught a flu-like virus.

@kateybeth79

My kids are 6 and 8, have always had the nasal spray and have never had the flu, or any other problems with the vaccine. It doesn't contain any live viruses so cannot cause the flu. Your DS more than likely already had the flu when the spray was administered and it was just a coincidence. Or he may of caught a flu-like virus.

The nasal spray contains a live virus although it has been weakend where as I believe the shot has an inactivated version.

Even though they both provide protection the same I wondered if the Possible side effects would be better from the shot.

Mine had the same after the nasal vaccine the first time he had it. A temperature and not well for about a week, then poorly for months. No one else in the class seemed to have any problems, but it was such a coincidence. I'm glad to say that last year he had no reaction to it at all.

@Staffy1 sorry to hear that your ds was the same but it’s reassuring to hear that it wasn’t the same situation the following time.

I’m hoping that if I do go for it, having it done earlier than November and before winter starts there is less chance of him already having a cold/bug anyway

@Idontwant2, yes, probably better earlier in the season, and also hopefully once they have had it once they react better to it.

When I was a kid we never had to have nasal flu vaccines? My DS has had the nasal vaccine every year but one, every single time he had it, he became very unwell with high temperature, cough and horrendous cold which he managed to pass on to the family. The one year he didn't have it, he was absolutely fine.

@onedayinthefuture

See this is my worry, that every time he has it we get the same reaction but at the same time if he did get flu and became seriously ill from it I wouldn’t forgive myself when I could of had the opportunity to minimise the risks.

I have an elder DD who is almost 16 and she’s never had a flu vaccination (wasn’t around when she was younger) and has always been fine every winter so far, touch wood.

This parenting business is hard some days 😬

I was wondering the same,

But he is due an operation in a fortnight and can't risk him getting ill before then.

Afterwards if he gets ill from flu spray we will have to assume covid and self isolate.

I'm in 2 minds and want to do the right thing!

Also really interested to hear other people’s opinions and experiences... DS is 3 soon and not sure whether to get it or not for him. He’s never had it before, was advised by doctor to get it aged 1 after ending up in A&E with a viral wheeze, but when I did some research I found plenty of advice against having it if wheezy so a bit confused