Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Scotsnet

Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

Original poster

primary school flu vaccine?

26 replies

PineappleDanish · 04/12/2019 07:28

Anyone's child actually had theirs? We filled in the forms in September, vaccines due for the week after the October break. letter home at the start of November saying there's a 2 week delay.

Now into December and they STILL haven't had it! What on earth is going on??

OP posts:
Alittleprivacyplease · 04/12/2019 07:39

Ours were meant to have it in November, then got told 2 week delay, now being told it'll be January. Having had flu myself a couple of years ago in December I'm wondering whether it's even worth having in January as we're already well into flu season Confused.

Original poster
PineappleDanish · 04/12/2019 07:48

January is pointless IMHO. (Although I'm not a doctor). Middle child who is too old for the flu nasal vaccine was floored last week by something very like flu - migraine, nausea, aching bones, couldn't get out of bed, couldn't even bear to look at her phone it was so bad. Lots of kids and teachers off at her school.

What is causing this delay? A Scottish fuck-up or a more general fuck-up? I had my flu injection on 5th October.

OP posts:
scaevola · 04/12/2019 07:55

I'm assuming this applies in Scotland too.

There was a manufacturing delay this year, because the scientists' recommended trains for inclusion were updated later than usual (after emerging data about strains in circulation)

So it arrived late, first batches a month late and rest following. It was all meant to have arrived by now though. But I'm guessing that re-organising all the school schedules is proving less straightforward.

I hope it gets underway for you soon. Roll-out has been very patchy, with practices/pharmacies right next to each other not necessarily both getting what they ordered at the same time.

Alittleprivacyplease · 04/12/2019 07:58

No idea. Not sure how to go about cancelling DS's as the forms don't go to the school but the NHS. Might contact the school later as it just seems pointless to have it so late. Yes, lots of kids at our school off with flu type symptoms, and noro of course! Spend the whole of December crossing my fingers (and ranting to DS about hand hygiene).

Original poster
PineappleDanish · 04/12/2019 07:58

Is it really that different from making a nasal spray to making the injection? No delays with the injections this year.

Anyway. DS isn't in a high risk group for flu. But obviously i'd rather he didn't get it.

OP posts:
GaraMedouar · 04/12/2019 08:00

South of England here. My DD's school were supposed to have it October. Delayed until next week. Apparently due to shortages all over UK.

ArfArfBarf · 04/12/2019 08:04

It wasn’t even available this year in Germany and I’d been on a waiting list since September!

I think the routine testing on some batches was delayed and that’s why some children in the UK have had it but not all.

I made mine have the injection in the end and glad I did as there have been confirmed cases of flu at their school already this year.

Pipstelle · 04/12/2019 08:07

Ours had it the first week in November but they go to a private school so maybe it was a different supplier?

BammBamm · 04/12/2019 08:14

DS's school sent a message to advise it had been rearranged, but I think it was only delayed a week or two.
DDs (nasal spray at GP) was delayed over a month, but she had it in November.
We're NW England.

DurannieDeckingTheHalls · 04/12/2019 08:48

Ours was supposed to be mid Nov, but was delayed... now won't happen at the school but at a medical centre in next town on a drop in basis on a Sunday! We can't make that so I have arranged for my DD to have it privately next week...which I would have organised yonks ago if I'd known sooner....

refusetobeasheep · 04/12/2019 08:59

Ours had it in November

cazzyg · 04/12/2019 10:30

Done on Monday here in central Scotland.

KondoKonvert · 04/12/2019 10:35

Our school vaccinated in mid-November in Midlothian. The GP vaccinations for the younger children has taken longer. DD(4) is still in nursery and she's having hers next week.

Original poster
PineappleDanish · 04/12/2019 11:57

I'm very pro-vaccine generally. I think it's great that all primary school kids get done each year. But I do think that if it's going to be mid-January before they get round to it, what's the point??

OP posts:
LoisLittsLover · 04/12/2019 11:59

Ours is due tomorrow and no cancellation yet

rugbychick1 · 04/12/2019 12:40

DD's was due before October half term, and had it then. We're West Country

GaraMedouar · 04/12/2019 12:55

Can I ask for all those whose kids have had it, were they ok after it this year, any side effects? It’ll be the first year my DD will have it and I’m wondering how she’ll be, do I need to give her Calpol after as a precaution?

Original poster
PineappleDanish · 04/12/2019 14:03

No you don't have to give Calpol as a precaution. For a start, that's not what Calpol is for. It's a pain killer. It's not some magic liquid that will cure all ills. You don't use it "just because".

My kids have never been ill after a flu vaccine, whether injected or sniffed.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 04/12/2019 14:06

The only jab you're supposed to give calpol afterwards as standard is the Men B one given as a small baby

ConstantScot · 04/12/2019 17:31

Our school are giving them next week, Central Scotland

scaevola · 04/12/2019 17:34

Is it really that different from making a nasal spray to making the injection? No delays with the injections this year

You were lucky! Widspread delays to the u65 jab, and some interruption to the 65+ as well

JennyBlueWren · 04/12/2019 19:05

Ours had them two weeks ago. It was thought that they might be delayed until January but then they were arranged quite quickly only a week or two's delay.

Darkbendis · 05/12/2019 13:45

My DC had theirs last month ( East Ren). No problems at all

aggitatedstate · 05/12/2019 13:56

Yes ours has

Original poster
PineappleDanish · 05/12/2019 16:23

We're in East Dunbartonshire. I've just had an email and I'm really unimpressed.

The health board are holding a "drop in" session at a nearby secondary school on 14th December. This is nowhere near as effective as doing the vaccines in school. Parents will have to actively take their child along rather than it just being done in school times. Lots of people already have commitments on a Saturday morning. The school is local-ish but a good 30 minutes walk away. No public transport. We'll drive, not all families have that option.

Usually uptake in our school is over 80%, and in that other 20% are children who for whatever reason have the jab instead. There is NO WAY they are going to get that many children into a non-local school on a Satruday morning.

What a fiasco.

OP posts: