Flu innoculation for children ?

[grandad]

Hi everyone ! I would like to hear some views regarding recent government announcement that all children in years 1 and 2 at primary school,(5/6 yr olds) are to be offered the flu jab,starting next month.My grandchildren came home with the letters from school yesterday and my immediate advice was not to do it.Now you could say I DONT TRUST THE GOVERNMENT/CONSPIRACY THEORIST! and you would be correct,but either way,I do not think young kids need this.Saw some figures on the news and the flu jab only effective in 30 percent of adults who have it.Would it make a difference to 5/6 yr old if they had a week off school with flu ??

[Brambles]

I'm a big fan of vaccination programmes.

The Brambling and I pay to have flu vaccines each year.

What exactly do you feel is wrong with protecting a child from illness?

[grandad]

I dont have a problem protecting children from illness,in fact I had all my kids innoculated with the usual MMR and such.The flu vaccination is fine for vulnerable people or those of us over a certain age ! but for healthy children ? I am not convinced on this one,thats all.

[preppingsu]

Do you have a credible source showing the governments decision?

I work in a school and have not heard of this.

[Brambles]

Here you go Su.

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinatio ... ccine.aspx

QUOTE.

In the autumn/winter of 2015/16 the annual nasal spray flu vaccine will be available for children aged two, three and four years old plus children in school years one and two as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme.

The vaccine will be offered routinely to all children aged two, three and four on August 31 2015. That is, children with a date of birth on or after September 1 2010 and on or before August 31 2013.

Note, it's being offered, you can choose not to.

Personally, I'd do it for several reasons; I hate to see any child sick, the possibilty of complications, the more people vaccinated the less chance of an epidemic, it's a form of passive protection for those who cannot for medical reasons be vaccinated.

[jansman]

Do you have a credible source showing the governments decision?

I work in a school and have not heard of this.

Nor has my Wife. Of course in matters Medical, ALWAYS talk to your Doctor.

[preppingsu]

But it's only protection against one strain of flu and as we know these things mutate rapidly. I understand why someone with previous health complications may choose to have it by why healthy children?

I'm thinking the letter sent out was for information only and the parents have to be proactive in getting it rather than mass vaccination in school.

[grandad]

Thanks for your views everyone.Will let my daugher view thoughts on this subject,you never know,it might just get her into prepping !

[Brambles]

But it's only protection against one strain of flu and as we know these things mutate rapidly. I understand why someone with previous health complications may choose to have it by why healthy children?

I'm thinking the letter sent out was for information only and the parents have to be proactive in getting it rather than mass vaccination in school.

The nasal vaccine recipe is changed each year just as the injectable vaccine, and covers the same flu viruses that the adult vaccine does, not just one strain.

QUOTE
"How does the flu vaccine for children work?

The nasal spray vaccine contains flu viruses that have been weakened to stop them causing flu. It will help your child build up immunity to flu in a similar way as natural infection (but without the symptoms).

Because the main flu viruses change each year, a new nasal spray vaccine has to be given each year, in the same way as the injectable flu vaccine.

Fluenz Tetra works well in children and gives them good protection against catching flu. In fact, the nasal spray is more effective than the injected flu vaccine, especially in young children, which is why children are being routinely offered the nasal spray rather than the flu jab.

As the vaccine is absorbed very quickly, it will still work even if your child has a runny nose, sneezes or blows their nose straight after being vaccinated."

But you can read the whole article for yourself.

[Decaff]

I dont have a problem protecting children from illness,in fact I had all my kids innoculated with the usual MMR and such.The flu vaccination is fine for vulnerable people or those of us over a certain age ! but for healthy children ? I am not convinced on this one,thats all.

Hi! I have the flu jab every year, after having a bad bout of real flu one year , the can't move out of bed, can't breathe properly flu I vowed never again!
The problem with not vaccinating is that you risk spreading the flu to those most vulnerable that can't have the jab. Unless you keep the children in 24/7 during the season you can't really prevent spreading/catching it. If everyone that could have it, did have it, it would stop any epidemic outbreaks in its tracks.