Influenza and pneumococcal

[tweenies]

My two year son has just received a letter to say he is eligible to get these vaccinations as he has a hole in the heart, have an appointment at doctors tomorrow to discuss, has anybody got any opinions on this matter whether I should get him vaccinated.

I had my flu shot today, flu can kill those with certain conditions. Personally I'd go for it I thnk.

I don't know anything about the vaccine but that it is egg based .. so if he's allergic to egg ...

I had my flu and pneumococcal last Saturday. Flu shot I had no side effects to whatsoever (and I'm miss reactive to just about everything!) and with the pneumococcal I've had a sore arm for about 3 days afterwards and that's been it.

I appreciate that's only anecdotal, but I'd say they were the easiest shots I've ever had I'll be getting the flu one again next year. Apparently the pneumococcal is a one off?

My dd had a hole in her heart, but it has been repaired. I was told she needed a flu vaccination this year for the first time.

I thought about for a while then decided it was a good idea to get it done. She had it done last week and was fine afterwards apart from a high temperature in the night.

If it is the first time your ds has had it he will need a second dose four weeks after the first

Your son must be in the 'at risk' group who are eligable for this vaccine.
My daughter died from pneumococcal meningitis aged 19 months, i would advice every parent to have their children vaccinated.
My second daughter aged 5 months has just finished her course of vaccinations to protect her from this disease she had no side effects whatsoever.
Hope i havn't worried you too much Tweenies but unlike you we were unaware that there was a vaccine untill it was too late, My dd was not in the 'at risk' but still developed meningitis.
Have a look at pneumococcal meningitis thread.

DD is not at risk but, like Amyjade, we pay privately for these vaccines, as they are on the standard list of immunisations for children in my native country.

She'll be having her second influenza - she is being given it in two doses - on Friday.

No side effects for the first one.

None from the pnuemococcal back in September.

If you've been offered these vaccines, PLEASE get them!

Dd2 had her flu jag on Sat. It was over and done with before she realised. Since then she's developed a cold but as half the children at school have colds anyway and she isn't ill with it, I doubt the two events are connected.

Tweenies - dd had her flu jab on Saturday too, she has heart disease. We also had the pneumovax this year. She's never had any problems with the flu jab and seems fine this time with the other one too.

If it's being offered I would go for it.

hiya tweenies, one of my daughters has these every year too since she was 2. She's got a very poor immune system and a repaired VSD/PDA. I get the jab too (am mildly asthmatic) - my dd never seems to have any problems with it, I felt a bit fluey the day after. But am so grateful that I don't have to worry about the flu for either of us.