Flu Shot vs. FluMist Nasal Spray

[*pixie*dust*]

I have placed a call with my doctor but have not yet heard back. I was hoping someone could help me.
My son's daycare is offering a Flu Vaccine Clinic. They want to know whether I want my son to have the shot or the FluMist. I am not sure what the difference is other than one requires a shot. Is there a better choice? Or is it simply shot or no shot? DS is 4 and healthy, if that makes a difference. Thanks!

 

[pat fan]

I was just talking about this with our school nurse. The shot is a dead virus sample where the mist is a live virus sample. The mist will most likely cause some sickness, not full-blown flu, but mild symptoms. The shot does not as it is DEAD. I vote for the dead guy. I'm getting the shot so I DON'T get sick, I don't want to take something that WILL make me sick

 

[VickiVM]

Both of my daughters, ages 11 and 13, got the Mist last Thurs. morning. Within an hour they both started feeling bad. Went ahead and finished out the school day, but by evening they were beginning to have full blown flu symptoms - coughing, fever, bodyaches, chills and some nausea. They were sick all weekend and even as late as Sunday afternoon still had fever over 100 degrees. (One of my daughters woke up Friday morning with 104 fever). They went back to school yesterday, still not 100%, but fever-free.

Last year they rec'd mist and were fine.

The diff. between last year and this year may be that they were both feeling minor allergy symptoms (nothing major) and perhaps their immune system was already compromised. I would not recommend if the child is not 100% healthy.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Here's a similar thread from yesterday.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2285522&referrerid=70088