Can I opt for the flu jab rather than nasal spray for DS?

[LizzieLogan]

DS is 8, has been hospitalised in previous years with viral wheeze. Last year he had the flu jab rather than the nasal spray as he was on steroids. It made a huge difference, he was much better all winter. Not sure why, but the nasal spray really seems to knock him.

This year, the GP surgery are saying he can only have the nasal spray as he’s not actively on steroids.

Clearly he needs a vaccine - can I insist on a jab? I’m really happy to pay for it, that’s not an issue. I can’t do it through a pharmacy as they’re not allowed to give the jab to children.

They can only give what you consent to. They can get the GP to authorise the injection rather than nasal if the nasal is not contraindicated.
The nasal though, is more effective, but having the injection is better than nothing.

That’s interesting, @DemonsandMosquitoes , I didn’t know that. Do you know why it’s more effective? I could Google but there’s so much unreliable information out there related to the nasal spray.

My son is having the flu vaccination at school and we've asked for the injection as my other son is immunocompromised. And they agreed to do this.

The nasal spray is more effective as it's a live vaccine whereas the injection is attenuated. Ours get them done at school and you can just tick the box saying you prefer the injection.

As per pp, when we got the electronic consent form through from school I ticked the box saying no to the nasal spray, it then offered the option of the jab which I agreed to for both.
In our case, ds has sensory issues and will not accept the spray, and dd said she would just prefer it to be the jab. No problems with this in the last few years. I guess it may vary by LA and setting, mine are both teens, but they had the jab while still in primary school as well. Is there a phone number on the documents about consent that you can call to speak to a member of the nursing team who will visit the school? When I first enquired 4 years ago they were very helpful.

The spray has pork products in, so lots of people opt for the jab instead, you should be able to choose.

You might be able to but the year we made that decision we had to pay at a private GP (it wasn't very expensive).

DD has always had the jab instead of the spray. She has a cleft palate and other interesting oral/nasal anatomy so we've never been sure the spray will actually go where it's needed or be as effective as it should.

It's never been a problem; I used to explain it all to the GP receptionist when I went in to book but these days I just say 'can I book DD in for the jab as the nasal spray isn't appropriate for her' and they just do it.

Flu vaccinations for kids are given via school in our county. When the consent form comes through I just select the injected version for DD. It's never been an issue.

All I had to do was tick a box opting for the jab instead.

Success, in the end. Should have explained it was a bit more complicated as DS was due the jab at school but missed the school vaccines as he was wheezy but not on steroids. Had to book it through GP. They were initially pretty unhelpful so I just told them I needed the jab because of gelatin. No argument whatsoever to that, but heaven forbid I have an opinion on whether the jab would be better.