Hi

Do you mean Swine flu jab? No idea. I've heard reports to say that it's been delayed.

Best to contact your GP's office if you want to have accurate info!
Liz

Hi there Jessmum,

Is there a particular reason that you would want your son immunised?

Does he fall into a certain category of chronic lung disease or heart disease for example? 

The vaccination is starting to be offered in our area to those who fall into the category of being an adult or child over the age of 6 months and with a long term condition.  My youngest DD falls into this category having asthma...

We have however not yet decided if we intend to let her have this vaccination... we have been talking about it for days and believe there are possibly more cons than pros...  Yes she is asthmatic, but I know how to handle her asthma and would hope that the flu, although it may be horrendous, will not be life threatening. We do not however have enough evidence to back up the use of this vaccination.  What could the implications be for my DD perhaps later in life?

Food for thought maybe...

 

Vanessa x

Co-cl on: Mums' Club July-Sept 03; Mums of Pre-schoolers 1-5

& Festivites & Celebrations

 

Hi

I have been doing quite a lot of reading on this as the vaccine is being recommended here (Germany) for all under 5s, and is available, our Paediatrician and GP have said our 2 year old should definitely have it as he has had croup and the flu affects the airways. Also our GP wasn't recommending it for healthy children until a couple of weeks ago, but in the past weeks has seen an otherwise healthy child patient of his hospitalised and others very ill with high fevers leading in some cases to febrile convulsions. Only 3 people in our state have died from the disease but apparently children and pregnant women are at higher risk than other groups even without pre-existing conditions.

My husbands attitude is why let the children get seriously ill if it can be avoided with a vaccine, and the GP said there is a risk of side affects but these are not serious - mild fever, headache and at worst joint pain lasting not more than 24 hours, for around 10% of those vaccinated. He said the basis of the vaccine has been used before and it is no more "untested" than a new batch of seasonal flu vaccine as the virus mutates - is this not true do you know cl-strawbs2003? As you have obviously been giving it a lot of thought it would be good to have a bit more information on the cons, as the pros are fairly obvious!

I have been very much in 2 minds and made an apt just to talk it through with our GP after the paediatrician recommended it at the 2 and 4 year checks they do here, to get a second opinion. I have an apt now to have my 2 vaccinated on Tuesday...

I posted a poll on my mums club board about this and have 2 days to change my mind, so I'd really appreciate extra information if anyone has any!

Thanks!

Hilary, Anna (4) and Erik (2)

I wont have it for myself - mainly because I'm 30 and healthy and should be able to fight it but I would accept it for my children (one of whom is asthmatic).  I'm a "frontline" worker and was offered it last week so I would guess that the "at risk" groups will be offered it fairly shortly.

sara