To give my child the flu vaccine?

[Concernedkay]

Can anyone share their experience with the flu vaccine. Has anyone seen any side effects? Did anyone's child still get the flu even after being vaccinated?

My child is two so this would be the first time. He doesn't go to nursery but if it is major protection in case he does catch anything then it would be worth it. So just looking to find out how effective everyone has found it?

Both my kids had the nasal flu vaccine annually at school with no issues for either of them

I wouldn't give it to my two yr old especially if they don't go to nursery. No need.

DD has had 3 (age 2,3,4) and about to have her next one, no side effects whatsoever noted and she is asthmatic and prone to respiratory infection.

If you have ever seen a 2 year old with flu in hospital you’d never doubt giving it. It’s not something you want to see.

My DD has been having it nasally every year since starting Primary school. Now 12 and in year 8. I make sure to get mine (jab) every year as I’m considered vulnerable with uncontrolled asthma. Neither of us have ever had any problem with it.
Neither of us need to get the flu. It's worked and I’m glad it's protected us. The alternative is awful. Not worth the bloody risk!

DD1 is 5 and has had it every year since she was 2, no issues. DD2 is 2 and just had her first one a week ago. No issues either.

I pay for one for myself every year too.

My son and I have had it for years and no side effects at all. He's now 13, I'm 55.

I probably wouldn't either in the same situation. However both mine go to (different) nurseries and I work in a school so that's a lot of germs between us, so I make sure mine have it to minimise the risk, and I get it through work. I've seen worse effects from young children catching flu than any effects from the vax!

It's a very straightforward nasal spray. No needles and it's done in seconds.

My child has had it every year since it's been available and has never had any side effects at all.

A friend's young child didn't have the vaccine last year. I'm not sure why they didn't. She ended up very ill in hospital with the flu. Flu is bad for the very young and very old.

My kids have always had it. No side effects and none of them have ever had the flu.

The flu jab and flu spray OP is asking about aren't the same anyway, but given the ignorance in the rest of your post not surprised you don't know the difference.

OP it's up to you, as he's not mixing at nursery or whatever then I personally wouldn't feel a pressing need this year (but also wouldn't see an issue with him having it); but I definitely would going forward when he does start nursery or school or whatever. Flu can make young children very poorly.

Both of mine have had it nasally every year they have been eligible. No side effects (not even the year my ds moved his head while the nurse was trying to insert the spray in his nose and I got sprayed in the eye).

I"ll say what I usually say in these threads.

I had 'flu many years ago and developed pneumonia as a complication. Was admitted to Hospital and wasn't expected to survive the night. Initially was in there for 8 nights.

During those first 8 nights I was in a ward that had been put a slide for 'flu patients. A few of whom died. Most were previously fit and healthy and in their 20s. One was a PE Teacher.

I developed further complications and had another 7 day stay in Hospital. Had 3 months off work and still have scarring on one of my lungs.

It's fine not to vaccinate your DC against 'flu but ill take some mild side affects every time rather than go through that again.

Probably not a popular view on here but I’ve never bothered with this one, and my children are fully vaccinated including chicken pox which we paid privately for, but this one is for others rather than for them which never sits easily with me.

Yep my children don’t go to nursery either and have always had it - no issues at all. I worry about flu as it can be very bad for young kids. I’m just sad I can’t get the nasal vaccine for my 1yo. It’s not even a needle so don’t even have to deal with them getting upset!

Both my children have had the flu vaccine every year.

When little it was a nasal spray. Now at high school it's a jag.

No sude effects with the spray. With the jag they get a sore arm.

I also get the flu jag every year. Flu is horrendous. The last time I had it I was unable to get out of bed for 3 weeks and I lost my hearing. I've worn hearing aids since.

Children are the most likely sector in the population to get flu. But those who are most likely to die from it are infants and the over 65s.

Anyone can become very ill with it (the time I had it, it took a full three weeks to recover). Yes it's possible to get flu mildly, but you can't count on that - it's nasty and it lingers.

It is much safer to be immunised. Remember flu will be circulating - NHS only vaccinates those at greatest risk of having flu and those at greatest risk of dying from it.

Only you can decide which risks your DC will face on this one. That of bad reaction to the attenuated virus in the vaccine (v low rates for that), or the possibility of illness from the wild virus (might not get it at all, but if they do then good chance of being very ill)

I know which I'd choose.

The reason it's offered for free in this age group is because they're big spreaders it, yes. But flu still can make some children really poorly, and not just those with underlying conditions. Your choice, but it's not solely to protect others.

My daughter has had the flu vaccine every time she has been eligible. No side effects. She had a reaction to the menB at 4 months and ended up in paeds but has had all subsequent vaccines without any issues. She had her 1y ones one at a time and as an outpatient in hospital but was fine.
My partner and I pay for it every year. When I was a kid my uncle had leukemia and I still remember having to be careful around him and coughs colds/flu as they would be so much more serious for him. I have had 2 grandparents and pil with COPD. 18 months ago my mum fractured 2 vertebrae and respiratory illnesses cause her a lot of pain. You don't know the vulnerabilities of the people you walk past in the street so I always vaccinate against everything possible

Mine have it every year. Eldest is 11. Never had any side effects. Never had the flu.

Why wouldn’t you? My dc are 11 and 9, and they have had it every year. It sometimes leaves a sniffly nose but to me it’s important that they have them. And it’s so easy. All I have to do is give consent to the school

My daughter has had it every year since she was a baby (vulnerable so offered a jab before age 2). Never any side effects, never had flu. It’s a no brainer to me.

Both I and my DD who was under two last winter took it and we didn't get massively ill. She didn't have any reaction to the jab. I will get one for her this year again as she is socialising with other kids on weekly basis so bringing home viruses.

Ours had vaccine because of asthma, no problems. Grandchild, 4, has had two now. Again, no problems.

Well, no, I don't agree it's purely for others as children can become seriously unwell and die from flu.

That aside, even if it is 'for others' it's depressing and shocking that you wouldn't consider being a part of that. We live in a community, in a society, and we have responsibilities in that society. Individualism is going much too far.