Flu vaccine versus flue nasal spray.

[Jan]

I will start off by saying I know nothing! Our DGS was going to have a flu vaccine in school but this has been changed to a nasal spray. I have never heard of a vaccine in nasal spray format before. Is it a new thing?

[Libby]

The children at school have been having flu vaccine nasal sprays for a number of years now. The age group that receive this has been expanded recently.

[TheHughesCrew]

It's common practice for children to be given the nasal vaccine. It's way less traumatic than an injection for them.

It's a live vaccine though, so not suitable for those who are immunocompromised

[Jan]

Thanks for the info. This is all new to me. It is years and years since our two were at school!

[Bozza]

Thank god I saw this!

I have my flu jan at 7:30 this evening but I’d completely forgotten!

Thank you!

[Dinglebert]

The flu nasal vaccination is what is known as a live attenuated vaccine. It is a live vaccine but can only cause a "cold" not the flu. It is given to children from 2 years to end of secondary school in Scotland. The secondary school bit is new for us this year.

There will be some children either due to conditions they have themselves or if they live with someone who has severely immuno issues who are unable to get the live vaccine, then they will get an injection instread.

Been doing the 2-5 year olds for the past couple of weeks which was a nice change from Covid.

[Bolto6]

My DD, now 6, has had the nasal flu shot since she became eligible.

[soooexcited!]

I've had some quite inventive kids trying to dodge my insertion of nasal flu. My favourite a child thought there's not a chance that's going up there so stuffed several loom bands up his nose. Luckily all removed safely and vaccine delivered 😬

[Bootrip2]

DD actually prefers the injection. Her school wont do hers anyway so she goes to GP

[storm]

The nasal spray contains pork gelatine so isn't suitable for all . DD has children in her class who receive the injection due to religious needs.