'Flu jab for 3 year old

sweaty_betty

Hi there - we've just had a letter through the post inviting our 3 year old to go for a 'flu jab. Is this normal? I don't think he had one last year (although that could be an age thing) and I'm wondering if they offer it now to all children - does anyone know?

TIA

elsien

Looks like it's a new thing for 2-3 year olds.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/Which-children-are-eligible-for-the-flu-vaccine.aspx

Doesn't mean you have to take up the offer though, if you don't want to.

LEJC

Its something that has been on the news a lot recently...they are now inviting 2 and 3 year olds to have a jab...or in some cases a nasal spray is offered.

Its not compulsory but the offer is there if you want to take it up

sweaty_betty

That's interesting, we had the letter about the nasal spray a few weeks ago - and now have a letter about the injection!

I get invited for the jab every year, sometimes I take them up on it, sometimes not. Need to have a think about this one...

pukkamum

We got one for our 2 yr old but I won't be taking her for it, tbey have enough injections as it is, none of my children have ever had real flu and its been years since dh and I have.
Besides I have worked with many children and have to come across any that died or had serious complications from flu.

LEJC

Its a very personal choice if you choose to have your child vaccinated...however the information I recently read regarding the reasoning for giving the vaccine to young children did seem to make some sense...

Its not I believe being offered because your child is likely to catch flu or have serious complications etc but more as a preventative to aid the spread of the virus...how many children of that age after they sneeze will automatically wash their hands or cover the sneeze with a hankie?...not many...and the thinking behind giving the vaccine was I believe aimed at the control of the spread of the virus to others rather than to protect them directly.

It is designed to particularly appeal to those with elderly relations who mix with youngsters...hopefully in immunising the young they in turn may not spread it to the old.


For some reason this year ive been invited for a jab...never had one before and for some reason they seem to think I fit the criteria...going to give it a go and see what happens.

daisiegg

pukkamum wrote: »

We got one for our 2 yr old but I won't be taking her for it, tbey have enough injections as it is, none of my children have ever had real flu and its been years since dh and I have.
Besides I have worked with many children and have to come across any that died or had serious complications from flu.

It isn't about saving children from flu. It is about limiting the spread of flu in order to protect people who are vulnerable like the elderly, people with respiratory diseases, or those without very good immune systems.

sexyjacksparrow

Yup. My three year old got invited for one too and had it (nasal spray) yesterday. Quick and painless :-)

mrsgreenwood_2

my 3 yr old had the nasal spray last week, along with her pre school booster and mmr

pukkamum

I still won't be giving it to my child, even if/especially if it is to prevent infecting others, if they are susceptible then they should have the vaccine.
I won't be putting drugs in my daughters system just in case she passes it on, besides if that's the case surely everyone should have it.
My thoughts are the pharmaceutical companies have yet again come up with a way of making millions out of peoples paranoia.

notanewuser

pukkamum wrote: »

I still won't be giving it to my child, even if/especially if it is to prevent infecting others, if they are susceptible then they should have the vaccine.
I won't be putting drugs in my daughters system just in case she passes it on, besides if that's the case surely everyone should have it.
My thoughts are the pharmaceutical companies have yet again come up with a way of making millions out of peoples paranoia.

You do know that all of the vaccines offered to children are for this reason, at least in part, don't you?

Not everybody "susceptible" to flu will be we'll enough to have the vaccine. Are you always this inward facing?