I came home this evening to find an invitation for DD to get the nasal Flu Vaccine and I am undecided what to do. Has anyone else been offered this yet? Did you take it or decline?
I have in the past avoided getting the flu vaccine for myself. I am not in a risk group but my workplace offers it for free each year. I may consider getting it this year but still undecided. My daughter has no health issues to speak of and is generally quite well health wise. She gets the odd bug nothing major.
I have been researching the topic and I am swaying towards getting it for her. I know they have been using this type of vaccine in America for about 10 years now so I'm not doubting it because its new or I teasted. My concerns from reading the patient information leaflets and details on medicines.org.uk is this:
Reassortant influenza virus (live attenuated) of the following strains*:
A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like strain
(A/California/7/2009, MEDI 228029)
A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like strain
(A/Texas/50/2012, MEDI 237514)
B/Massachusetts/2/2012-like strain
(B/Massachusetts/2/2012, MEDI 237751)
So if I'm reading it correctly that's 6 different viruses in the one go.
The leaflet also says this:
For children who have not previously been vaccinated against seasonal influenza, a second dose should be given after an interval of at least 4 weeks.
So that would be two lots of vaccine in 4weeks. Now I know there are a few vaccines that require 2 doses but my concern is if its 6 strains of 'live' virus then effectively its 12 small doses of flu within a month. From past experience from DD getting her routine vaccinations (MMR and the like) she always gets a high to very high temp for 2-3 days after and takes a week or two afterwards to get back to her old self (ie. not grumpy, sleepy, clingy, whiney and generally out of sorts) If follows the same trend then she will be like this for 2 weeks, better for 2 weeks then back again for another 2 weeks.
But all that said the % results of protection look really good. I had a bad flu once when I was 10 and I would hate for her to go through that. I know the decision is mine to make but I just wanted to see what most people are doing and why they are/ are not getting this vaccine.
I'm not looking for a heated debate on vaccination in general, just opinions on this particular one.
Thanks
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.
Children's health
The new nasal FLU vaccine
10 replies
Pumpkinette · 19/09/2013 22:43
OP posts:
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.