Flu Mist

We did this last year and my son had no side effects. He actually asked to do the same this year. He doesn't like shots either.

My 3 year old is fine with shots; he doesn't like them, but he cries for a second and then is over it. However, I still opted for the mist because why increase fear/anxiety about the doctor visit if you don't have to? He did great, no probs, no reactions.

The difference between the flu shot and the flu mist is a big difference indeed. The flu shot contains a "dead" flu virus. While the flu mist contains a "live" flu virus.
Children and Adults tend to have many more problems and side effects from the flu mist.
No child does well with shots. Especially from infancy to toddler. And even then beyond those ages they are frightened of shots. I of course, cannot blame them. I , to this day do not do well with them.
My honest opinion is , you would have a better outcome with the flu shot than the mist, even if he does not like them.

My son is almost 4 and had the Mist last year and this year and no side effects or anything. He was definitely exposed to the flu last year (roommate and daughter had it), but he never got it- so I know the mist worked! Yey!

I would not give the mist simply because it is a live, weakened virus. Everything people used to complain about with the shot - how it gave some of them the flu - can actually happen with this one. My kiddos got the needle, we were all running a temp the next couple of days, then everyone was back to super.

S.

We did the Flu Mist for my 4 year old daughter this year. She cried, because I think she was thinking it was going to hurt like a shot, but afterwards she laughed and said "that didn't hurt!" Our Pedi Nurse said the Flu Mist is more effective than the shot and our daughter had NO reaction at all.

Good luck with your decision.

My daughter (5) got the flu mist. She did have a slight reaction to it. She received it on Friday, on Saturday and Sunday she ran a low fever and didn't feel great but it is much better than getting the flu!

In 2004, they did some studies that found that Flumist increased the risk of under 3 children fourfold to get asthma within 6 weeks of receiving the Flumist.

The best prevention for flu is to wash hands, eat healthy, steer clear of sugar in the winter months and get plenty of sleep- the 2 year should get 10-12 hours/day.

Flu Shots for Young Children are Useless
Sources:
ABC News October 7, 2008
Two reports this week showed the flu vaccine may not be effective in preventing health problems in children.

One study revealed that flu shots in the past two seasons did not reduce doctor visits or the risk of hospitalization for flu in children age 5 and younger. Another showed that MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (a sometimes fatal drug-resistant bacteria that can accompany the flu), as opposed to the flu itself, is a main contributor to the growing number of child deaths attributed to influenza.

The first study suggested that a reason the vaccine did not prevent children from getting the flu was that the strains in the flu vaccines have mismatched the circulating flu strain in past years.

Hi C.,

I 4 year old son just had the flu shot and it was super easy. No side effects, and only took a couple of minutes.

Best Wishes,

C. Roeschen
The Trinity Group
Keller Williams
###-###-####
____@____.com
www.TheTrinityGroup.org

Check with your doctor the last two doctors I have had for my girls have not recommended the flu mist for children under the age of 5. I thought that was a general rule for the flu mist??? Maybe not?

K.

I will be giving the kids one next week and was told by the Nurses that the Mist is more effective. Be sure to check with your insurance about whether it is covered or not. My insurance started covering it this year for the kids.

S.
www.MomCheck.com
Where Finding Childcare Just Got Smarter

Make sure that your child is healthy before receiving. It should not be given if you child is wheezing or has asthma. Side effects include runny nose, headache, wheezing, vomiting, muscle aches, and fever. If you child has asthma, it may increase his risk of ending up in the hospital when taking. Also, it is a live vaccine; so your child should really not be around anyone that has a severly weakened immune system.

I will tell you that my toddler had the shot; she did not cry at all. I had to ask the nurse if she was finished. It really depends on how a parent reacts to a child while getting the shot. I was very confident and happy while they were administering. It seemed to work for her; however, I realize that every child is different.

Also, I noticed a comment that mentioned a child will not have to get a second dose. However, if a child is 2 year up to 9 years of age getting a flu vaccine for the first time they will need two doses of vaccine the first year they are vaccinated. This is true of the injectable vaccine as well. Go to cdc.gov/flu for more information!! Good luck in your decision.

My son is 5 and has had the flu mist the past two years. It doesn't bother him and no side effects at all. It is the best thing for us!

Remember, the mist is not recommended for any children with breathing problems (asthma, etc.). So, if your child has any of those issues, stick with the shot.

Hi C.,
My 2 1/2 and 4 year old boys both had the mist a month ago, they both had a low grade fever and a bit of a poopy issue... but very minor.

Good Luck!
E.

My 3 year old just had the flu mist this past week and he is doing fine on it. I love it compared to the shot because there is no crying or anything. I think it just makes their eyes water a bit when they get it, but that's it. And you don't have to go back for another dose like you have to with the shot.

Mist was 100% better with our daughter, plus it lasts longer - shots are only effective 4-5 months, the mist is effective 8-9 months. Confirm with your doc! Also, mist is non-invasive, and very gentle. Once our daughter got over the very fact that she was at the doctor's office, she didn't even seem to notice the very GENTLE mist they put against her nostril. Definitely would do again this way!

My boys are a little bit older, 4 & 6, but I got them the flu mist this year. It was great!! No crying, no sore red bump on the arm, and we didn't have any side effects!!

we did the Flu Mist for our 2 year old in August and it worked great. No side effects.

Just remember it is not recommended for those with autoimmune disease like type 1 diabetes or anyone in their family because it is the live virus......good luck in making your decision.

My son is almost 3 and he just got his Flu Mist last month. There were no adverse reactions at all. Obviously he didn't like having anything squirted in his nose, so he probably cried about the same as he does with shots since we still had to hold him down, but I would certainly do it again.