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Original poster

swine flu situation for under 5s worrying me BUT NO vaccine available for them.

225 replies

waitingwaiting · 04/01/2011 12:28

Hi
I've got a one year old and a 3 year old. 3 year old going back to Nursery School tomorrow. I must admit that I am very worried about the swine flu situation for the under 5s.

According to the Daily Mirror (30th Jan)the Swine flu is at epidemic levels for children aged 1-5 and paedriatric hospitals are close to 'not coping' - and the Telegraph (31 dec) also reports the same - Critically ill include 42 children under 5 and flu levels have doubled with that age group.

Okay, I guess parents have very differing views on this but I must say that I am rather concerned...

I've tried absolutely loads of avenues to see if I can get the vaccine for my under 3 year old with No success what so ever.

Boots/supermarkets etc wont give it, they will however dispense it under prescription for GP to adminster But my GP wont do a prescription. Bupa wont do it. In fact everywhere I try wont.

All I want to do is try to protect my family but just dont know how. The flu jabs have traditionally been offered for the elderly as thats the age the flu has affected before, however now we have a different strain of flu which does target the young however no one seems to want to protect the young and offer the vaccine.

It was offered to pregnant women last year and in turn protected the unborn baby, which I had, however now my baby is one years old, its as if its no longer important as no one will be prepared to protect her from the flu, despite the fact that she could be very poorly if she had it. Is it worth risking even one childs life? no. I dont think so.

Anyway, I'm rambling on a bit here, point is I want to protect my children and get them vaccinated but just cant. Anyone else in the same situation? and how do you feel about it? Why is it that all adults can easily get protected, yet children cant?

Many thanks

Nicola

OP posts:
OhYouBadBadKitten · 06/01/2011 19:18

either they genuinely believe that most under 5's have been exposed all ready or there is such a critical shortage that they are really having to prioritise what 'at risk' groups to go for.

bubbleymummy · 06/01/2011 19:23

If children were genuinely at risk they would be prioritised. The media have blown the risk all out of proportion. 45 deaths since October across the whole UK does not warrant the hype it is getting.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 06/01/2011 19:32

It is not the number of deaths (which are in England, not the whole of the UK and are the ones that have been actually confirmed by the hpa as being flu. In normal flu years entirely different criteria are used to estimate flu deaths)
It is the number in critical care which is the concern, fortunately this number has dropped a bit through the week, hopefully it is a good sign rather than a pause in proceedings)

Biscuitbreaker · 06/01/2011 20:02

"I am breastfeeding at the moment and had it done today, better than nothing I thought!"

Redshineyshoes - exactly what I was thinking. My baby is 3 weeks...

redshinyshoes · 06/01/2011 20:10

My baby is 1 month. Sainsburys didn't ask whether I was breastfeeding so I didn't mention it as Boots had told me they wouldn't do it if I was breastfeeding... They said it was fine to get it but it would need to be given by a doctor - as with under 16's and pregnant women who they aren't licensed to do either, even though the vaccine is safe for these groups

Original poster
waitingwaiting · 06/01/2011 20:17

hurray, after loads and loads of telephone calls and searching I managed to find somewhere that would vaccinate my 3 year old as well as myself! :) Its called DoctorCall based in Manchester (and London)

doctorcall.co.uk/ I went today and must say that it was very professional and so would recommend. The private doctor was very kind with my daughter and must say that I didnt feel the injection one little bit!

They are using the Glaxo Fluarix injection suitable for children from 6 months. My daughter has to go back in 4 weeks for a booster. and it only cost £12 per injection! so worth a trip if you can... we travelled an hour to get there, but now I feel so much happier. I know they do have supplies left if you are quick! :)

OP posts:
Mooles · 06/01/2011 20:41

One thing I haven't heard mentioned at all this year is Tamiflu - whatever happened to that?

Original poster
waitingwaiting · 06/01/2011 20:42

www.telegraph.co.uk/health/flu/8244573/The-flu-jab-shortages-must-be-investigated.html

My guess is that they probably arent opening the jabs up to kids as none available! they are short of supplies for pregnant woman and those with other health conditions.....

OP posts:
toeragsnotriches · 06/01/2011 20:44

I really don't mean to be flippant. I'm as concerned as the next parent about sf and I understand the mums wanting to keep their DCs home from school and nursery because of the swine flu risk. But until March?

In my case, the possible severe health risks posed to them by swine flu are dwarfed by the definite severe health risks posed to them by me as I go totally insane.

toeragsnotriches · 06/01/2011 20:48

But didn't the Chief Medical Officer just say on C4 news there isn't a shortage as they've just opened up the stocks of swine flu only jab? I must be missing something...

PercyPigPie · 06/01/2011 21:03

I feel sorry for the medical profession. They told us last year that swine flu was potentially serious and everyone poo-poo'd them when it didn't reach epidemic proportions (despite it being obvious it would come back this year). On here virtually everyone scorned swine flu being a serious threat.

A few weeks ago, before all the flu news broke, I found out that you could get the flu jab privately (I tried to obtain them privately all last year, but no-one seemed able to do them)and that it included swine flu. We managed to find a local gp clinic that does them privately - but unfortunately my children haven't had their boosters yet. I recommend calling around different doctors.

Bluebell99 · 06/01/2011 21:05

Hmmm I registered an interest on the Surrey GP website mentioned above, and they just called me back to say the injections would be £40 each and each child would need two, which would be £160 for my two! Poster above said her injections were £25 each in October. Demand exceeded supply blah de blah, but I hate the sound of making money off people's fears!!

BadRoly · 06/01/2011 21:09

My younger dd and ds both had swine flu jabs last year.

My ds (19mths) has already had his first annual flu jab and has his second next Friday. He has a hole in his heart and a deformed valve so is considered high risk.

He couldn't have the annual flu jab last year as they cannot give it to babies under 6 mths and he was too young when the surgery we were with were running their flu clinics.

Sludge78 · 06/01/2011 21:25

My 5yr old had the jab last year following a notification from her surgery to get it. Every child at her nursery received it. Really didn't want to but due to hubby coming down bad with it felt it was the best option, the following week after the vaccine it all died away but despite having numerous stockpiles of the drug they wouldn't let anyone else in the family (such as myself) have it. Where have all these surplus vaccines gone?

Louisv · 06/01/2011 21:28

If in the vicinity of London I managed to get my son vaccinated at a place called The Fleet Street Clinic, 29 Fleet Street. My son is 4, and a doctor administered it - cost £18. Would recomend.

Sirzy · 06/01/2011 21:30

DS is 14 months and having his flu jab next week because he is asthmatic. If he wasn't though I wouldn't be to worried about him having it. I do think a lot of this is media hype, 1000s of people die from normal flu every winter and we don't normally see such a media fuss about it.

Those in the higher risk groups should be vaccinated but others I think need to just try not to panic! (spoken as someone who has had swine flu and just managed to stay out of hospital)

gingerjack · 06/01/2011 21:40

Just to add that while of course the potential complications of swine flu are worrying, and vaccination should be available to those of all ages, for the vast majority of people swine flu is a self limiting illness which although very unpleasant, has no lasting effects. Me, my dh and my 2 year old have just recovered from swine flu, my 4 year old who was vaccinated Last year was fine. TBH I was the worst mainly because I had no chance to rest just had to get on with it. On plus side flu outbreaks usually last 7 weeks and we are 4 weeks in so hopefully will be over soon.

PeachesMac · 06/01/2011 23:17

I'm also trying not to panic but it is worrying when you read scary headlines in newspapers. If anyone is still thinking of getting their children vaccinated privately and live in the London/Surrey area I got my four year old and 7 month old done at a clinic called The Richmond Practice in Richmond, Surrey. Very professional, would recommend. Although they have to go back for boosters in four weeks the doctor said they should be protected between one and two weeks time and that the reason they need a booster is to give them protection that will last a whole year.

Lifebeganat40 · 06/01/2011 23:54

My son had flu symptoms before Christmas and despite the goverment advise being that Tamiflu is more effective given in the first 48 hours of symptoms the GP still said "it's a virus come back if it gets worse".

FLU IS A VIRUS!!!

He is fully recovered thankfully and I hope all of your little ones avoid are safe and well too.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/01/2011 08:52

Well, its come a little closer to home as someone I know is in hospital seriously ill with flu. She does have asthma. Her husband has it as well and so a local business is now temporarily closed.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/01/2011 09:07

I suspected that only deaths from flu with a very specific criteria are being counted by the hpa. News report which if accurate would confirm my suspicions.

gumblossom · 07/01/2011 09:10

I have no idea if the media in the UK reported the adverse affects of the flu vaccine that occured in Western Australia last year?

I have no problem with vaccination, however I think it is important to have all the facts.

I have no idea if the vaccine batch was a problem, or the actual vaccine. It was never made clear, but I do know they stopped the free vaccine program for all children under 5.

Here's one of the reports:
www.perthnow.com.au/news/was-free-influenza-vaccination-program-has-been-suspended-for-children-under-five/story-e6frg12c-1225857140885

Your vaccine may be completely different.

all4u · 07/01/2011 09:11

Hi TCOB
No it is not the politicians but the civil servants that research and decide these things!!!! Did you ever see Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister? Well that is exactly how it is. the politicians take the flak and the civil servants get anonymity, awards in the Queen's Honours list when they retire and even, in recent years, give themselves annual bonuses. Of course the NHS civil servants are advised by doctors too. These guys sit there for years and pooliticians - particularly the newbies we have now - don't stand a chance.

My sympathies go out to all of you - mine have had this flu/been exposed to it last year but if it shows signs of mutating I would keep them at home no question. I have Home educated for 5 years though they are now in school again but it is not the only way.

lingle · 07/01/2011 09:45

"In my case, the possible severe health risks posed to them by swine flu are dwarfed by the definite severe health risks posed to them by me as I go totally insane."

LOL. Our household is currently dominated by phone calls from my mother asking if we have all had the jab yet.

gingercat12 · 07/01/2011 13:40

I spoke to GP yesterday on the phone. He assured me that they have plenty of flu vaccines available. (North Tyneside PCT) As DS is healthy and took up jab last Christmas, he did not recommend him to have a jab at the minute. They'll give us a call, if they change their minds.