To Nasal flu vaccine, or not...

[Babyboy2020]

Normally, I get DS in for every vaccine he's offered as soon as I can. DS has just turned two. He's had everything offered, and we paid privately for a chicken pox vaccine.

I'm hesitating this time as he had a febrile convulsion from a high temperature (viral infection) about a month ago. Not vaccine related. It scared the life out of me and now I'm fairly hesitant about doing anything that might lead him to get a temperature again without a bloody good reason.

Trying to weigh the pros and cons. Is flu a risk to him? (It can be serious for toddlers, he attends nursery a few days a week, toddlers are feral and spread germs) I'm going to ask nursery how many cases they usually have over winter in his room..
How likely is he to get side effects from the nasal spray? Will these side effects likely include a fever? Low grade/high grade? Can I negate this by dosing him with calpol before he gets the vaccine?

IF he developed a fever, how bad would it be? How long would it last?

I think I need some real life stories from people who gave their 2/3 year olds the nasal spray either this year (has anyone had it this year yet?) or last year so I know what the real life risk might be.

Best case scenario - I give him the vaccine, no side effects, no flu. Bingo.
Worst case scenario - I give him the vaccine, he has a horrible fever in response resulting in a seizure, and gets flu anyway.

I know reality is probably somewhere in between these two.

I've trawled some old mumsnet threads but I need some up to date examples.

If there's anyone out there with a small kiddo who's had a febrile convulsion and you also had the same choice - what decision did you make?

Thank you for reading! From one scared, overly anxious, doesn't know what the right call is, mummy.

DD has been having the flu vaccine for 5 years or so with no side effects. I don't think they are common.

I had the flu in 2020 and it's the most ill I've ever been so I wouldn't risk it.

I think he's more likely to get a temperature with a cold or flu rather than the vaccine.

I don't think I've ever noticed side effects after the nasal spray OP. Flu is definitely dangerous though. Just not worth the risk.

Sorry I should add DD has not had a febrile convulsion so I can't relate to that but I still think you are taking a bigger risk of having a febrile convulsion or any other medical complication by not having the vaccine. From the NHS website:

Side effects of the children's flu vaccine:
a runny or blocked nose.
a headache.
tiredness.
loss of appetite.
www.nhs.uk › vaccinations

If you are concerned discuss it with your GP. They can suggest the best course of action.
DS has had the injected flu vaccine in the past rather than the nasal one as I can't be in the room when he has the nasal one and I had nobody else who could take him. It's not standard practice and isn't quite as effective but is the best alternative in our circumstances. Your GP should be able to suggest the best route with least risk for you.

I think a 2 year old with (unvaccinated) flu is much more likely to develop a very high temp than he would as a side effect to the vaccine.
When children are ill it's much harder to get meds/fluids in them.
I would vaccinate and dose with Calpol before and at regular intervals for the next day or so just in case.

Mine's 6 and she's never had a reaction to the flu vaccine

This is my gut reaction so far - that I would rather vaccinate as if he were to get flu he could be seriously unwell, and none of us want that for our children.

The GP hasn't been terribly helpful. General 'this may or may not happen advice, and it's my call as his mother' so I just felt some real world experiences would help me decide whats best for him. The receptionist just wanted to book us in and clearly had a list of people to ring through. I asked about side effects and she kept having to ask someone else what to say so I said I'd do my own research and call her back.

My fear of further seizures is definitely what's making me hesitate, before the seizure it wouldn't have even been a question for me.

I've checked out the NHS site and other general advice sites, but they all list general side effects that may or may not happen, I appreciate that's all they can do.

The mum guilt is strong. If he has a seizure as a result of something I've done I'll feel awful. If he gets sick from flu because of something I haven't done, same.

Does anyone know where I can find data on current flu outbreaks in the South West of England?

Neither of mine have had a reaction to the nasal flu vaccine and they've had it for a few years now

The flu vaccine is given to children mostly to protect older people who are more vulnerable to flu.

Hi OP
i am very cautious around anything which might give mine a temp as he goes into SVT with fever which results in hospital visits and scary crash cart situations so I sense and empathise with your fear.
we have had the nasal vaccine every year and honestly not one jot of a side effect.
only anecdotal as ever but it’s not one which troubled either of my kids.

Mine were both done yesterday.

I'm very anxious re temperature. They were done at nine in morning. I gave calpol as the nurse did say it's a live vaccine and can make them tired. They both had a nap. They both were absolutely fine. 2 and 3.

Mine has had his today. He gets stinking fevers as well. So far no fever but he’s very grumpy and restless tonight and very snotty I’ve just given him calpol as he’s obviously not feeling that brilliant. I’m hoping that will be it!

having had proper flu I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.

and to the poster who said children have it to protect the elderly that’s not true they also have it to protect themselves as flu i more dangerous to the very young and very old.

My daughter gets febrile seizures as well and this was one reason to get her the flu vaccine asap.
Flu can kill and could in itself also cause a high temp and seizures.

Flu season decent ramp up properly u tol.aboit December, so current data won't help you make this decision.

I'd get the vaccine. At least you know what a seizure looks like and how to deal with it- you're in a better position now.

And flu is awful. I had it when I was about 6, and I remember not being able to lift my head up to have a spoon of soup. For a week. Wouldn't wish that on any small child.

My older ds had the flu vaccine a couple of weeks ago at school. No side effects at all.

My husband has flu a few years ago and it was frightening, he was so poorly and ended up with pneumonia, I'll never forget the sound of him fighting for every breath. He was a fit and healthy 30 something. We all have the flu jab every year now, no hesitation. My 5yo had the injection yesterday (can't have the live nasal spray because I'm on immune suppressing meds) and is fine. None of us have ever had any side effects.

Flu can kill a toddler. It's no joke. I've had it (twice) it's the most ill I've ever been.
My son had the nasal vaccine this year. Not a single side effect he was absolutely fine.

Mine had a horrendous reaction to the nasal flu vaccine. Temp, hives, hospital visit, off school for a fortnight. I'm not an anti vaxxer, they have had every other vaccine. Something in this one just disagreed with them.

Doc at the time advised to avoid it from now on as they're obviously allergic to something in it, they couldn't say what though.

It's a difficult choice when your DS has been ill. No real answer I'm afraid but wanted to let you know that reactions can occur though they seem extremely rare.

Thank you all, I appreciate having wider perspectives.

On balance I decided to go for it, and he had his nasal vaccine about 4 weeks ago. As its his first one (he's only 2) apparently he needs two doses spaced apart, so his second dose is booked in for next week.

No obvious reactions to it, although we have all since been very poorly with a random winter virus. All the covid symptoms but no covid. And we all have a post viral cough thats gone on for weeks now.

Hes had his chicken pox vaccine, but there's HFM at nursery atm and there's no vaccine I'm told. I believe that one can spike a nasty fever so I'm keen to avoid.

I had my covid booster and flu vaccine at the same time in an effort to protect him further. I'm technically ECV but generally avoid the flu vaccine as it makes me feel awful. No different this time and I was poorly for a week but it's better than flu I would think.