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Original poster

Two-year-old flu vaccination today

14 replies

ferntwist · 05/10/2020 12:43

I’m taking my little one for her flu vaccination today and would really appreciate any tips on making the experience nicer for her. Is it likely to be quite sore?

We’re going to watch the episode of Bing where he has his vaccinations first.

Her last jabs were at age one, when I could feed her throughout - that’s not an option this time as she doesn’t bf anymore.

She’s two and four months old for info.

OP posts:
022828MAN · 05/10/2020 12:46

Isn't it just a nasal spray for kids?
Can I just ask why you've decided to give it your child? Not in a goady way, generally just curious as I've had a text today saying my DD 3yrs is entitled but I don't see why she'd need it as she's nor vulnerable.
She has all of her other vaccines by the way...

icedaisy · 05/10/2020 12:46

I could be wrong as may be area dependent, but I thought flu was a nasal spray for 2 to 6 year olds, jag if high risk under 2, or jag for us adults?

So should just be a spray in nose?

SqidgeBum · 05/10/2020 12:48

I had mine last week and to be honest it was so quick I barely noticed it. If it's a flu clinic, it will be an in and out job. I think I was in the gp for a total of about 2 minutes. I would just not make a big thing of it. Distract her by pointing at something when the jab is about to happen, like 'oh look! That nurse has a cool stethoscope!', have a biscuit or something nice to hand her if she does cry, and it will be over with before you know it.

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MinaMurray · 05/10/2020 12:49

DS3 (3) had his flu vaccine last week.

The flu vaccine for toddlers is just a spray up the nose. One spray in each nostril. It might be a bit tickly for her, but it shouldn’t hurt at all. It’s nothing like the other vaccinations with the needles.

They were trying to do them all as quickly as possible in my GP surgery, so we were in and out in under 5 minutes.

Sunshine1235 · 05/10/2020 12:51

I wouldn’t make too much of a big deal of it (I haven’t seen the Bing episode but sometimes he can be a bit overly scared/whiney can’t be so it might just make her more apprehensive).

Explain that she’s going to the dr for an injection (assuming it is the injection?) and then give her some chocolate buttons to distract her. I found when me son had his 3 year jabs I over prepared him and then I think he was actually more scared before hand and the jab itself didn’t really bother him

dementedpixie · 05/10/2020 12:53

Is it not a nasal one rather than an injection?

MinaMurray · 05/10/2020 12:53

@022828MAN

The main reason kids are offered the flu vaccine is because they tend to be superspreaders with flu.

DS3 (3) is not high risk either, but we still took up the offer of the flu vaccine. A big reason this year was COVID - while I’m not worried about the DC becoming ill with flu, I’d rather reduce the odds of them (and DH and I) catching flu and COVID at the same time.

022828MAN · 05/10/2020 13:00

MinaMurray

Ah okay, thank for sharing that. I admit, I hadn't even really considered the reasons you gave - especially what would happen if we got both Covid and the Flu at the same time.
I'm due our second DC soon too so maybe I should think about DD having it for those reasons.

katmarie · 05/10/2020 13:25

DS had his last week, he's 2 yrs 9 months. It is a nasal spray for the little ones. I had him sat on my lap, the nurse showed him the nasal applicator, and rupped the tip on his hand so he could see it was soft and wasn't going to hurt going up his nose, and she told him it was full of magic potion to make sure he didn't get ill, which I thought was sweet. She told him exactly what was going to happen, and then it was a quick squirt up each nostril, no drama at all, and we were done. She recommended a dose of calpol before bed if he felt grotty at all but he was fine. It was all done in five minutes or less.

mindutopia · 05/10/2020 13:30

As others have said, it's a nasal spray and it's no big deal at all. Mine had it last week and he hardly noticed. Eldest dc laughed when she had it for the first time as it was funny to spray something up your nose.

Original poster
ferntwist · 05/10/2020 14:13

Thanks so much for the replies. I had no idea that it was probably a nasal spray! I was expecting an injection.

We were both invited by my GP as I’m pregnant and all 2 & 3 year-olds are also being vaccinated this year. I always go for any vaccinations we’re invited for.

Think you might be right about not watching the Bing episode. Just makes it too much of a big thing.

Thanks again everyone.

OP posts:
Harrysmummy246 · 05/10/2020 16:28

Honestly, I explained to DS it would be some medicine in his nose and asked him to stay still. Job done

Original poster
ferntwist · 05/10/2020 17:19

Thanks @Harrysmummy246. I thought wrongly it was an injection like her last lot of vaccinations.

OP posts:
turnthebiglightoff · 05/10/2020 17:38

"Don't worry Bing, it's no big thing" Flop rules. Bing is a little shit. Hope the vaccine went well :-)

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