Flu vaccine side effects equal self isolating ?

[SistemaAddict]

I had a text to book us in for flu vaccines today and it got me thinking. A temperature is a normal immunological response to a vaccine so unless feeling unwell with it I wouldn't normally keep anyone off. We usually have aches and feel a bit off but we know it's the vaccine and normal so wound just carry on as normal. Covid changes that because we now couldn't be sure if it was the vaccine causing a 24-48 hour period of fever and aches or if it's the start of covid (or something else). My dc are already self isolating and will have missed 2 weeks of school (no tests) and will be off again 😩 they need the vaccine due to asthma and I am very pro vaccine anyway. Has anyone thought of this issue? Am I right in thinking that's loads of children off for 2 weeks unless they get testing sorted but then increased demand on testing is going to result in not enough tests. Ffs. I'm seriously considering home schooling all 3 to give them some consistency. I'm ranting mainly but anyone else thinking along the same lines?

I have never had a raised temp after a flu jab

Fever in response to the flu vaccine is rare, transient and mild. We've all had this year quadrivalent formulation and non of us has had fever or aches from it. Just get it, particularly if your dc have asthma.

I never realised this was a side effect of the flu vaccine, I have mine every year and the only side effect I get is a sore arm

When my DD had her 1 year jabs in June, the nurse said any temp in the next 24-48 hours, there was no need to self isolate for as common sense would say it was the jabs.

Fever is a normal immune system reaction. Flu vaccine isn't enough to trigger it in most people.

You cannot rule out the possibility of the fever being from an infectious cause, rather than side effect of the jab.

And you're right - even though the NHS does not list temperature as a side effect of the sniff (the version most DC have) the pack insert info leaflet does

So yes, testing could all get a bit chaotic once the schools programme starts - assuming it's started working better before that (worst case is just chaos througout)

Do you normally get enough of a raised temperature after a flu shot for it to be in the covid zone? I can't say I ever noticed a fever. Sore arm? Sometimes!

I perhaps should have been clearer. If a child goes to school with a fever from the flu vaccine they are going to be sent home for testing/isolating because it won't be known with any certainty that it's the vaccine not covid. I ran flu clinics for years but that was pre-covid and am no longer up to date with not doing them now. Common sense is not going to wash with the guidelines.

It’s already occurred to me and I am debating not consenting it for my children this year. I’m not particularly worried about them catching flu but we get them vaccinated usually as it’s deemed by the nhs to help prevent spread to the vulnerable etc. Fine, I’m pro vaccination and usually have it done along with all the other nhs recommended vaccines. But every single time they’ve had it they end up mildly unwell for a few hours a day or two later, and I won’t risk them being off school for a fortnight unless the testing system is resolved by then.

After my daughter's preschool jabs we were told to treat any symptoms within 48hrs as being vaccine related and anything new after that required isolation.

Just looked up the injectables:

I'm not sure which ones are given to which age group in UK, but Fluad lists it as a common side effect (1:100) and TetraMYL uncommon (

It’s already occurred to me and I am debating not consenting it for my children this year. I’m not particularly worried about them catching flu but we get them vaccinated usually as it’s deemed by the nhs to help prevent spread to the vulnerable etc.

The other possibility you have to consider is that they could contract covid-19 and the flu, either at the same time or sequentially. That could easily land them in hospital. That's the other reason (in addition to protecting others) that everyone really should get it this year.

I think we're all learning as we go along. If you've had the flu jab and know that your response maybe a temp then do you really need a covid test? If your temp lasts into a few days then yes a test might be a good idea but 24 hour temp I'd be staying away from people and watching. If it persists then get a test.

I often get a temp after a flu jab as I react quite strongly to it. I won’t be getting a test if I get a temp after this year’s jab unless I am ill for more than a couple of days.

@MissConductUS

It’s already occurred to me and I am debating not consenting it for my children this year. I’m not particularly worried about them catching flu but we get them vaccinated usually as it’s deemed by the nhs to help prevent spread to the vulnerable etc.

The other possibility you have to consider is that they could contract covid-19 and the flu, either at the same time or sequentially. That could easily land them in hospital. That's the other reason (in addition to protecting others) that everyone really should get it this year.

Oh jeez and aliens could land on earth too.

Every time my DS has the flu spray he gets ill, I'm seriously considering him not having it this year as well. I never had flu vaccines as a kid.