Are you letting your child have the flu vaccine?

[caroline29woohooo]

I got a letter through from GP inviting my toddler for the flu vaccine. I thought it was a fab idea until my husband suggested we don't bother as it's better for the body to fight the Flu naturally. What is everyone's thoughts on the Flu vaccine?

There's different data from the US and UK hence the different results. Canadian studies also show it to be effective. I think it depends on the underlying level of resistance in the population being studied. We're in the US so all had the jab but I'd have given them FluMist if we'd been in the UK. I think the chances of catching flu in an average year are probably very low, but another epidemic is always possible.

My 3 year old just had his yesterday. For me its a no brainer.

DD isn't eligible but I'll pay for her to have the jab, I'll be having it too (I have asthma so I get it free) and will nag at OH to get it as well. The flu hits me and OH really really hard because we both have illness related asthma, although it seems to pass DD by every time, not going to risk not giving her the jab though.

scaevola, even on a 'good' year it's usually around 65% effective.

From the article I linked to above:

"British researchers who tested people for influenza antibodies before and after each flu season for 5 years found that an average of 18% of them appeared to have contracted a flu infection each season, but only 23% of that group got sick, according to a report in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine."

It's not better to fight it off naturally.
I would get it for my DC if offered (not in our area :( ).

I get it every year as I am asthmatic. I've had flu twice, it was really awful. As my DD appears also to be asthmatic, no contest.

It's 65% effective in a good year?? I'll take that with open arms, thanks.

I did query this year's flumist given US and canadian data but doing some reading it's clear no definitive answer has been found for low efficacy in 2013-15. Could be mutation, could be cold chain storage issues: who knows??

DS has 2 kids in class with genetic conditions and one with CF. Hell yeah, he is getting sprayed out of social responsibility

Just imagine sending your kid with CF into school knowing a fair proportion hadn't taken up free immunisation I know some kids with CF can have flumist but not all for whatever reason....

The problem with flu is that it can make you ill for a very long time. I hint younger children are considered more vulnerable? Am I right that they only offer it in key stage 1 at school?

My DD had it this year and last. This year she had a horrendous headache and a bit of a fever. I had mine also and had the same - never had a reaction before, but I have to have it as I'm pregnant and have an auto immune disease. My DD attends nursery and I can't risk her getting it or indeed bringing it home. Because of my condition my OH also gets it done. I'd rather have a day of discomfort than catch it. The risks for me are huge.

I'm not sure why you wouldn't give the flu vaccine if your main concern is that it might be ineffective. Surely you/your children will be no worse off having an ineffective vaccine than if you give them no vaccine at all, and if it does work they avoid flu. There aren't really any down sides.

Silly question maybe but was last years flu nasal spray also a 'live' vaccine that shed for up to a month ?

DS didn't have it as the letter said the vaccine was grown on egg white and he is allergic to eggs. If there's an alternative I'd like to hear about it as both DS and I had flu last year and I am in no hurry to repeat the experience! Couldn't believe how I'll it made me, took weeks to recover.

ill!

My son is never ever getting the flu vaccine