Should I accept the Flu Vaccine for my kids.

[Jesusisking]

Hello , I am just wondering if the Flu vaccine is really beneficial to kids considering the side effects

Wouldn't touch it with a barge pole tbh. My mums best friend was perfectly healthy and died shortly after having it in 1998, I know a long time ago! But never forgotten and I'm sure he's not the only one.

Side effects are minimal compared with actually getting the flu though aren't they?
Plus this year of all years it is the socially responsible thing to do.

I have one every year as I'm type1 diabetic, but my kids don't. Have you been advised that they should have one?

In think this year it is being offered up to y7 so 11/12 years old?

Why do you think the NHS offer it for them if it isn't beneficial for them and indeed wider society? Jesus wept.

@HeyBlaby

Why do you think the NHS offer it for them if it isn't beneficial for them and indeed wider society? Jesus wept.

This Just this

You have teenagers though
So what have you done in all the previous years when it’s been offered to your child?

What age are your children? Mine got the nasal one at primary school but its not offered at secondary school. What side effects do you mean?

My dc have theirs at school and I have the injection at work. Death isn’t a side effect of the nasal spray so the dc the previous poster mentioned in 1998 didn’t die from that - the nasal vaccine wasn’t used in 1998 so clearly a scaremongering nonsense post. It’s really safe and prevents the spread of flu. One in 7 people carry it without symptoms so it’s about protecting those around you in the community - those who have health conditions, those with cancer, the elderly. I can’t understand why you wouldn’t let your dc have it.

Absolutely have the vaccine. What side effects are there? It's not a live virus.

Do you think the nhs would vaccinate all its staff if it was dangerous or pointless?

What side effects exactly are you worried about? The flu vaccine does not contain an active virus. Side effects are usually mild if any.

Flu can and does kill. Absolutely i would recommend it.

@HeyBlaby

Why do you think the NHS offer it for them if it isn't beneficial for them and indeed wider society? Jesus wept.

Bingo.

Nasal one is a live vaccine
The injected one is not live

We've always declined it but did it this year as we didn't want flu symptoms being misread as Covid symptoms.

My daughter has had it every year since she was born (she's 12) because of a heart condition. She's never had any side effects. I have it as her carer and have once felt a bit lethargic the day after but nothing else.

DS is entitled to it as he's asthmatic but has not had it before because he's allergic to egg and there is a tiny chance of a reaction. After talking to his consultants he is having it this year. Even needle-phobic DH having it this year as we need to protect DD.

I've had mine this year and had absolutely no side effects. I forgot I'd had it until I saw the small plaster on my arm.

Unless there is a valid medical reason why they can't have it yes they should

If your children or anyone they are in regular contact with is vulnerable to flu then yes they should have them.

The flu vaccine does not prevent you getting flu. However, it does give the body the ability to build up antibodies so that should you contract it your body is already able to defend against the virus.

There are known side effects, however they do not kill people. The most common ones being it might make your arm ache for a couple of days or feel a bit more tired than usual for 24 hours. Anything beyond that is more likely to be because the recipient was already ill and it is an unfortunate coincidence. That said you are told not to have it if you are unwell.

My stepkids have it because I demand it. Their mum is not happy but she is less happy at them being in her house 24/7 and not being able to see their dad. Our joint dd is on chemo. They don't get it, they don't go near her. Simples.

My children have it.

Do you really think the NHS, whose funding can never cover everything people want it to, would spend money on a vaccination programme if it wasn’t of benefit? Don’t you think medical professionals and scientists trained in this sort of thing would have undertaken significant cost/benefit analysis, and studied potential side effects?!

i have every vaccination going.
am trying to find out if i can get MMR, how where how much.
it was not around when i was a nipper.
i am becoming a even more pro-vaccines in response to all the loopy loos anti-vaxxers. who are actually quite dangerous.
vaccines are one of the best mass public health measures we have. but there have been wacky anti-vaxxers since edward jenner started in 1796. of blessed memory.

@alexdgr8 when were you born as you might be eligible for mmr anyway?

Thanks for all your great advices.
Very helpful,
Thanks once again

Yes. Why would you not. Both mine have the nasal vaccine and have had for years. Never had an issue and anything to reduce the symptoms of flu if they were unfortunate enough to catch it. I’ve had flu once in my life, would not want to wish it on anyone.

My dc have always had the nasal spray when eligible. I get the jab on the NHS and DH pays for it. We haven't had any side effects over the years.