'Flu jab for 3 year old

pukkamum

I do think torry that people need to be made more aware that having the jab does not mean you won't get flu, does it create a false of security, ie the person coughing and sneezing etc still going to work or sending a lo to school because they wrongly assume it can't be flu as they've had the jab?

Torry_Quine

pukkamum wrote: »

I do think torry that people need to be made more aware that having the jab does not mean you won't get flu, does it create a false of security, ie the person coughing and sneezing etc still going to work or sending a lo to school because they wrongly assume it can't be flu as they've had the jab?

Could well be.

You also have the people who think you get flu from the vaccination.

pukkamum

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Could well be.

You also have the people who think you get flu from the vaccination.

Am I right in thinking it does make many unwell or is that a myth?
As I say I've not read into it or taken onboard much about it as unfortunately I think is the case for a lot of people.

Torry_Quine

pukkamum wrote: »

Am I right in thinking it does make many unwell or is that a myth?
As I say I've not read into it or taken onboard much about it as unfortunately I think is the case for a lot of people.

It can make people have a few things such as a painful arm or headache but nothing compared to the flu it protects against.

jazabelle

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Too many people think that flu is somthing that can be worked through and it isn't. We really need to take it more seriously.

I think it's because so many idiots with a cold now say they have the flu to make it sound better, or because they feel really ill and it can't possibly be just a cold. So now people think a cold = flu.

A cold does make you feel awful, and I wish people would accept that.

Generally - a cold you can get out of bed, feeling very rough. A flu - you just can't. No matter how much of a brave little soldier you're being, or if you won't get paid.

Cottage_Economy

There seems to be the thought on this thread that the flu vaccine will stop you getting flu. It won't. It will reduce the risk. The flu.gov site mentions being 60% less likely to catch flu once you have received the vaccine. (Just noticed Pukkamum and others said this while i was writing this post!)

It's purpose is to prepare your immune system to fight back hard and fast if you do catch it and make the symptoms much less severe, perhaps similar to a normal cold. It will only work however against the strain you have been vaccinated against, although usually three or four possibles are combined in one vaccine to try and cover several strains at once.

Which strains to use as the vaccine is decided many, many months in advance of the flu season by a group of health professionals based on what strains are around and which are statistically likely to be a problem months down the line. That gives the pharmaceutical companies enough time to manufacture, package and distribute enough vaccine for the anticipated take up. Sometimes by the time the flu season is in full swing it transpires that some strains that are problematic are not in the vaccine, which is why the health service can only say it reduces the risk of catching flu, and not that you definitely won't catch it.

Another reason may also be because you may be vaccinated but that doesn't mean your body will take the vaccination. I've been vaccinated against tuberculosis several times but each time the later tests to check have shown i am not immune.

Cottage_Economy

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Could well be.

You also have the people who think you get flu from the vaccination.

That's probably because you can get very mild side effects for a couple of days as the vaccine stimulates the immune system. But no way is that flu or even a cold.

My elderly parents get a little feverish and headachey for a couple of days every year straight after the jab.

I've had flu once in my life at 26 and i hope i never get it again. i was flat out for two weeks in bed. No legs working nothing. Head spinning non stop. Flu is very serious and no way should it be worked through.

kingfisherblue

My son is due to have his flu jab tomorrow. He is vulnerable as he has asthma and regularly gets chest infections between October and April. He also has Down's Syndrome and has had pneumonia twice.

I wasn't aware until I read this thread that a nasal spray is available. My son is needle phobic, but sometimes has a nasal spray to loosen mucus, so a spray would be much better for him. I'm going to ask if he can have this instead of a jab. Even if we have to reschedule the appointment, I would prefer this to having a hysterical teenager who doesn't understand why a doctor is sticking a needle in him.

So, thank you to those who have mentioned nasal sprays - I wouldn't have known about them otherwise.

RichardD1970

pukkamum wrote: »

I have seen countless people at work with full blown flu and countless kids sent to school and nursery with it.

Doubt that very much.

As pointed out if you have full blown flu it is completely debilitating.

pukkamum

RichardD1970 wrote: »

Doubt that very much.

As pointed out if you have full blown flu it is completely debilitating.

I already conceded that point.