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Original poster

Would you have your infant/toddler vaccinated?

128 replies

doireallyneedaname · 22/03/2021 10:42

Partner and I have both had our first Covid jabs. Our toddler has had all his immunisations so far too.

I’ve been thinking about what I’d have done had there been a Covid vaccine available for a baby of our age (1)

Honestly, I don’t think I would have gone ahead with it. The risk to babies and small children is so minuscule but they’ve got their whole lives ahead of them. I don’t believe the Covid vaccines to be unsafe at all but there is still that “what if” in the back of my mind regarding long term effects, though everything I’ve read suggests it’s highly unlikely.

I feel quite torn about this decision and I’m curious to know how others feel as I’m sure we’ll have something available for this age group in the near future.

OP posts:
MuchTooTired · 22/03/2021 11:39

I don’t know is the honest answer. I’m not even sure about having the vaccine myself!

Ultimately though, I know when I’m offered it I’ll take it, and if they offer it to my kids I’ll take that too. I’m nervous about how new it is and any potential side effects, but the thought of us having covid and passing it on to someone vulnerable or dying of it ourselves means I’ll get it done. I’m just privately not sure about it if that makes any sense at all!

namechange63524 · 22/03/2021 11:40

OP, agree with all your posts and I too am torn - massive mistrust of government doesn't help (I know all governments lie but the gaslighting and blatant lies from the current government are a whole different level).

titchy · 22/03/2021 11:40

[quote doireallyneedaname]@titchy Does it make a difference though? Babies and the elderly are the most a risk of flu, so if they can get protection against it that makes sense.[/quote]
I don't think babies or children are at more risk of flu than covid, they have flu vax solely to prevent the vulnerable groups of older people getting flu Confused

Original poster
doireallyneedaname · 22/03/2021 11:40

@MuchTooTired Yep, that’s how I ended up feeling about mine. I did have it :)

OP posts:
Original poster
doireallyneedaname · 22/03/2021 11:41

@titchy Not true... worrying how many think flu isn’t a danger to young children.

OP posts:
titchy · 22/03/2021 11:43

[quote doireallyneedaname]@titchy Not true... worrying how many think flu isn’t a danger to young children.[/quote]
So why don't babies have the flu jab then if they're so much at risk?

Roonerspismed · 22/03/2021 11:44

To protect the elderly. Who can choose to be vaccinated anyway.

The leaflet doesn’t really spell this out though.

HereComesATractor · 22/03/2021 11:45

Titchy you’ve just written two contradictory posts there. Babies aren’t vaccinated for flu, so is it because the vaccine is riskier than the flu or because they aren’t a risk in terms of spread to older people?

namechange63524 · 22/03/2021 11:45

I was told flu was v dangerous to under fives, especially under twos. This was pretty tricky to hear as they don't vaccinate under twos. When I asked my gp if the reason was due to safety (ie so I could vaccinate baby privately), they said there wasn't a vaccine for under twos and I should get myself vaccinated instead to protect her.

ChaBishkoot · 22/03/2021 11:45

Well as someone whose now 4 year old has been on a ventilator (and has long term respiratory problems)- if the vaccine had been through clinical trials, and been approved, then yes, I would not hesitate.

ChaBishkoot · 22/03/2021 11:47

Who said there isn't a flu vaccine for kids? In the US where we live, kids are vaccinated for the flu from 6 months onwards. The first time you get two shots. Both my kids have had it since they were very very young.

Original poster
doireallyneedaname · 22/03/2021 11:47

@titchy It’s licensed for 6 months and above. They do give it to babies, just not in the UK unless vulnerable and that’s down to the budget (as confirmed by my GP!) They can get it at nursery age because in theory that’s when their risk of catching it increases.

Many other countries give it routinely from 6 months.

OP posts:
ChaBishkoot · 22/03/2021 11:48

Here are the CDC flu vaccine guidelines: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/diseases/flu.html

I think with the NHS its a cost consideration (is my best guess). That the risk to under 5s is balanced out by the sheer cost of vaccinating all kids (and the risk that there wont be much up take since it's not part of the normal vaccination schedule).

Original poster
doireallyneedaname · 22/03/2021 11:49

@namechange63524 That’s outrageous. There is a vaccine for babies 6 months and older, though the NHS will only provide it if baby has an underlying health condition. Clinics offer it privately though.

OP posts:
HazeyJaneII · 22/03/2021 11:50

I would.
Ds is 10, but is medically vulnerable and so we are desperately waiting for the paediatric vaccine programme to be rolled out.
Ds had the flu vaccine as a baby due to his medical vulnerabilities.

titchy · 22/03/2021 12:06

@HereComesATractor

Titchy you’ve just written two contradictory posts there. Babies aren’t vaccinated for flu, so is it because the vaccine is riskier than the flu or because they aren’t a risk in terms of spread to older people?
Babies aren't vaccinated for flu I assume because the cost benefit isn't there - given that the flu vaccine is cheap as chips I therefore assume there aren't large numbers of babies being so ill from flu they are hospitalised - so I'm wondering where OP gets the idea from that flu is this big dangerous thing for babies (horrible for an individual baby of course, but I didn't think it was particularly dangerous to the baby population as a whole).

Children are vaccinated against flu solely to prevent them spreading to the vulnerable. Does that clarify?

titchy · 22/03/2021 12:07

@ChaBishkoot

Well as someone whose now 4 year old has been on a ventilator (and has long term respiratory problems)- if the vaccine had been through clinical trials, and been approved, then yes, I would not hesitate.
Thanks
titchy · 22/03/2021 12:09

Ok so there is a flu vax that licensed for babies.

In which case why the concern over a covid vax for babies?

Thatwentbadly · 22/03/2021 12:12

The nasal flu vaccine is offered to toddlers and lower primary school to reduce the circulation of flu in the community to protect vulnerable people rather than for their benefit.

The covid vaccine is currently in clinical trials for over 6 year olds.

If it had been through clinical trials for their age groups then and then yes I would give it to both my children. My husband is CEV so I would rather we didn’t get covid in the house.

Thatwentbadly · 22/03/2021 12:13

@titchy

Ok so there is a flu vax that licensed for babies.

In which case why the concern over a covid vax for babies?

What do you mean? Do you mean why would people want to give it or why would people be hesitant to give it to their children?
namechange63524 · 22/03/2021 12:20

[quote doireallyneedaname]@namechange63524 That’s outrageous. There is a vaccine for babies 6 months and older, though the NHS will only provide it if baby has an underlying health condition. Clinics offer it privately though.[/quote]
I'll do that this year then thanks

bumbleymummy · 22/03/2021 12:22

No, I wouldn’t. The risk to children is incredibly small. I’m don’t think the risk of side effects is outweighed in this particular group - unless a child is at particular risk due to an underlying condition of course.

bumbleymummy · 22/03/2021 12:26

@Thatwentbadly

The nasal flu vaccine is offered to toddlers and lower primary school to reduce the circulation of flu in the community to protect vulnerable people rather than for their benefit.

The covid vaccine is currently in clinical trials for over 6 year olds.

If it had been through clinical trials for their age groups then and then yes I would give it to both my children. My husband is CEV so I would rather we didn’t get covid in the house.

Can your husband not be vaccinated?
AmaryllisNightAndDay · 22/03/2021 12:29

It may not be necessary for babies anyway. But it may become necessary for children otherwise we may all have to be in and out of lockdowns forever. And that can't be good for your child either.

Racoonworld · 22/03/2021 12:29

Yes I would. We need as many as possible vaccinated and I want my baby protected. I have no issues as long as it's licensed for her age group.

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