Guest post: Should my child have the flu vaccine?

[NicolaDMumsnet]

Autumn approaches - and children are back at nursery or school. As both a mum of four young children and a public health doctor I get lots of texts and phone calls from friends - and friends of friends - at this time of year about what vaccines to have, at which time, and for which children. They want to know if the vaccines are safe. Most of all they want to make sure that they are doing the best for their families.

As well as new school uniforms and shiny shoes, the new school term also means that winter is on its way, with all the germs it brings – including flu. For most kids, flu will be a mild illness, but it’s still one that makes them feel horrible, and could disrupt childcare, clubs and fun with family and friends. For some however, it can be much more serious. Kids under five are more likely to be hospitalised with flu than any other age group and last year around 6,000 children under five were admitted with the infection. Sadly, some of these children died.

As a parent in a family of six I know how hard it can be to fit everything in. But taking the time to get your pre-schooler vaccinated is the best way to keep them – and your family –  protected against what can be a very serious illness. We all know how quickly germs can spread around families so the flu vaccine not only reduces the risk of your child getting seriously ill, but helps to protect more vulnerable friends and family – including grandparents and babies.

If you have children aged 2-3 (on or before 31 August) they are eligible for the nasal spray vaccine via the GP practice. If you have a child in school then make sure you sign the consent form so they can get vaccinated in school. The programme is delivered by a fully qualified NHS healthcare team. They may be part of the school health service or from a specialist NHS immunisation team.

Despite the benefits of the flu vaccine, not all parents take up the offer for their child. The flu vaccine doesn’t need to be scary for your child. For most children, it is given as a nasal spray, rather than an injection, so is quick and painless. The flu vaccine does not cause flu.

Some of you may also be expecting another child in the coming months. Flu infection increases the chances of pregnant women and their babies needing intensive care. All pregnant women should have a flu vaccine to protect themselves and their babies – both in the womb and in the months after birth. The risk of serious illness from influenza is higher amongst babies under 6 months of age and there are no licensed vaccines for babies of this age, so vaccination in pregnancy is the best way to help protect this age group. Flu vaccine can be given safely at any stage of pregnancy, from conception onwards. Pregnant women will be eligible for not just the flu vaccine but the COVID-19 vaccine as well.

COVID-19 disease in later pregnancy puts both the mother and the unborn baby at increased risk of serious disease needing hospital treatment, and intensive care support. COVID-19 vaccines give high levels of protection against severe illness. Even if a pregnant woman has already had a COVID-19 vaccine, the autumn dose is important to increase protection and help mother and baby stay safe over the coming winter months when levels of the infection are expected to increase.

Our data and that of studies from across the world show that both vaccines are beneficial to mother and baby and will help reduce the risk of serious complications such as pneumonia, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy, which may mean mother or baby needing intensive care or the baby being stillborn or premature.

The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) - which is the regulator of medicines in the UK working to ensure that they meet the standards of safety and quality - thoroughly monitors any suspected side effects involving pregnancy and COVID-19 and flu vaccination. Both vaccines have a good safety record.

So when I do get the questions from family and friends, I do recommend that they find the time to get their child vaccinated against flu and ensure they are up to date with all their routine vaccinations  - and to get vaccinated if they are pregnant.

Twitter: @UKHSA
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency

[Straycats]

I’m 62 once had flu, my siblings have never had flu nor my mum who is in her 90’s. None of us have had the flu jabs or feel any desire to do so.
One quick question, how much do you get paid for administering vaccines and the Covid jabs?

[Straycats]

NotAllowed-spot on. I have four kids and my youngest had a heart attack aged 22, chest infections etc since the jab, I'm beyond furious.
No family members have any heart issues, we are extremely healthy.
My son had it for the greater good.
I seen my co workers coming down ill all the time, with one who has been off nearly two weeks so far with Covid and yet she's had ALL her jabs.

[minpin]

The fact this is billed as an ‘advertisement’ sums it up. It’s a business that makes millions of £ every roll-out. Side effects are real and not that rare. Is it worth it ? Not in my world….

[RhymesWithBouquet]

Thank you Doctor Weil for taking the time to share your expertise and peer-reviewed research based knowledge to allow people to make an informed choice.

My 8 year old son will be having the vaccine as we live with my parents who are in their mid-70s and would not cope well with a flu infection. And I suffer from asthma so I'll getting vaccinated too.

Thanks again to you and your colleagues for all you do.

[Wolfiefan]

I have asthma. I’ve had flu twice and was very very unwell. I have my flu jab each year now. I am also immunosuppressed. So I have had a COVID jab today. When I was younger my mother was advised against vaccines because of my allergies and eczema. I ended up very Unwell with measles. I was very lucky to make it through unscathed. Vaccine reactions are real but the illnesses they protect against are far more dangerous for most people.

[FourFourOne]

My children, husband, and I have all had the vaccine this year. I feel very lucky that it is so easily accessible, especially for young children.

[HappyMarriage]

Hmm I wonder what the response to this question is going to be? Just once it would be refreshing to see an actual nuanced opinion on vaccines rather than the same
old party line, it’s not straightforward. The covid vaccine killed my friends husband and we’re not even allowed to talk about it (this post will probably be deleted for saying it) anyway all trust in the pharmaceutical companies is gone for me so no thanks

[MonderMomen77]

Hippocratic Oath anyone???!!!! I write this as a Health care professional myself!!!

[FourFourOne]

@hallihallo Are you saying there are over 1000 deaths and injuries a month due to the flu vaccine? Do you have any evidence for this?

[Lossoffaith]

In the past yes, as I am pro vaccination. But I was seriously ill after the Covid vaccine (in hospital, reported by the hospital to the authorities as a vaccine injury) and remain injured. The side effect was apparently known, but there was not honesty from the health authorities/it was not listed until later, so I did not give informed consent. I have met others, including children, injured in this way. I also met others in hospital, so although it may have been a rare reaction it was certainly not 'vanishingly rare'.

So I am now very wary and I feel bad for that (DC has had all the main childhood vaccinations, but will not have the flu or Covid vaccines). This is not the fault of anti-vaxxers, it is the fault of health authorities that were not transparent about the injuries occurring from the Covid vaccines and have not supported those with damage. The greatest harm from Covid may be a loss of trust in health authorities.