Flu vaccine for toddlers - yes or no?

[salsabrava]

Hello I have a 2 year old, closer to 3. Been invited for flu vaccine (nasal spray) and not sure whether it’s worth it. Knock on wood, never had flu and generally very rarely unwell despite being at childcare a few days per week. Breastfeeds when with me, not sure if that is helping with immunity or we have just been lucky so far.
The vaccine clinic clashes with a work meeting I can’t get out of and cannot get a new appointment easily.

Has anyone skipped it or think it’s unnecessary? Or any compelling arguments to get it done?
Have had all the usual vaccines so far just not sure if this one is necessary. Thanks.

Yes get it done. There is a reason why they offer the flu vaccine for children every year (for free, to a massive cost- they would not bother if it wasn't needed). The flu (true flu, not just a bit of a cold) can be horrendous for children and the elderly- it affects them worse than adults and can cause complications.

Just because you've not had it doesn't mean you or your children won't at some point life catch it. Breastfeeding does help with immunity for certain things but won't do anything to protect against flu.

If you can't get to the free clinic then speak to your GP, they may be able to offer it for free during a routine appointment.

I presume you are in the UK? A simple Google search answers all your queries.

The flu vaccination: who should have it and why (winter 2024 to 2025) - GOV.UK

After looking into it our dc have had all vaccines that they’ve been offered.

The flu vaccine is updated each year based on the most prevalent strains from the southern hemisphere so your immunity isn’t going to count for much. Small children are superspreaders due to their lack of hygiene and they’re often in close proximity to others.

I’d definitely get your dd vaccinated. If it’s tricky for you, can their dad take them?

My kid ended up I hospital a few weeks ago, 2.5 years old. Was moments away from slipping into a hyperglycaemic coma. She had her flu spray, but it wasn't long enough for it to kick in. Don't hesitate. I had mine I was ok, the hubby hadn't and he was extremely sick.

My daughter spent a night in hospital in Thailand with the flu a few weeks back we tried to get the vaccine before we went but they had no slots available so I just booked for when we got home

she was so sick for nearly 2 weeks it was awful - couldn’t get her temperature down at one point which is why we went to hospital !

il never skip a flu vaccine again!

Do it. The Australian flu season was very bad this year and it's often a good indicator of what ours will be like.

Thanks all.
@cannynotsay @Fupoffyagrasshole hope your DC are doing well now, very worrying experiences.

@FeelingSad2024 I’m not opposed to paying, I did when pregnant as couldn’t get an appointment. I asked in Boots today and you can’t pay for a child to have the flu vaccine, it must be done in the GP surgery and they are being difficult about not attending the specific clinic.

@Muchtoomuchtodo DH is in France for work, it’s just a complicated time to juggle that exact day and GP surgery not flexible. Maybe I can try a different receptionist!

@FeelingSad2024 I know I could Google but NHS and Gov have helpful advice but their own agendas so actually value the real life experience/advice of people on here.

I’m very much not an anti vaxxer, (have paid for chicken pox vaccine for example). But it seems I can’t just pay for this flu vaccine and was trying to gauge how critical it is considered to be.

Agenda? What agenda? The NHS give out the flu vaccine for free to millions of people every year (at considerable cost to the service) to stop people getting sicker and potentially dying (which is listed as a possible outcome for flu). Baffling as to what agenda you think they have with this.

If you don't trust the NHS then have a look at the WHO website (or any other reputable medical website) who will all advise to get the flu vaccine.

I know you are seeking 'real life' experiences but I wouldn't take any advice over the internet from strangers (I am aware of the irony of that statement as I myself am a stranger). Without knowing the person you cannot gauge whether what they are telling you is true, how much they might exaggerate or under play it. As with any medical condition, someone might get the flu and be fine, and another person may catch it and die. There's no accounting for the variables.

I would do some research online, speak to your local pharmacist/nurse/GP for properly qualified medical advice but the bottom line is that this vaccine is given out year on year for a reason, specifically for children, vulnerable adults and the elderly, because influenza is a serious health risk. 2-3 year olds are in the higher risk category- personally I wouldn't risk it with my child.

Get it done. Just ask for if you can get an appointment with the nurse

Just get it done. Work commitments.Think Grans granddad's Aunty's.Lame excuse. If your young child caught flu you would regret It the poor little mites get so poorly.

Of course get it done.

DS missed his appointment at the clinic as we didn’t receive his letter. I called our GP surgery and they gave me the number for children’s health Scotland as the vaccines have to be dealt with through them. I called and they booked him in with a nurse at our GP surgery a few days later with no issues.

I wouldn’t miss the vaccine personally. Myself, DH and DS all caught flu last winter just before Christmas and I’ve never felt more ill in my life. DH and I could barely function. DS was unwell, felt rotten and had a fever but bounced back much quicker than DH and I did

This thread is a year old!

I don't think anyone should miss this year's flu vaccine tbh. It looks like it's particularly bad this season

Even my husband went for it without a murmur and he whinges every year.

If anyone wants to wibble their way through 'agendas' and 'government control ' and all the other crap I'm seeing on SM, they're welcome to take the risk. Just keep it in the house if any one of you catches it.

Why wouldn’t you get it?

Has it ever occurred to you that you haven’t had flu yet because the rest of us are considerate and get the vaccine?

My work commitment at that point was a 6 hour journey each way including a flight so actually not easy to rearrange but as it happened I did manage to get DC vaccinated.

And yes @bookworm14 is correct, the thread is a year old so have just done it again. The GP surgery gave 2 dates and if you couldn't make either then tough, which seems a bit shortsighted of them but their choice.

@CrownCoats when you say the rest of us get the vaccine - do you mean because you are offered it for some reason (age/own health/caring reasons) or because you go out of your way to get it? As I don't know many adults except my parents getting the flu vaccine.

Our kids get it because they’re given it at school, and we go to Boots and pay £18 for it because we don’t want to get ill.