School wants to give all kids flu mist WWYD?

[sbell111]

I'm leaning toward 'yes'. Like all such things, I'd run it by the pediatrician first if I had concerns, but I don't see the problem with this being offered in the schools.

Personally, I think that all kids should be required to have full EPs each year in order to be enrolled in school. If this was done, there would be no reason for vaccines to be given in the schools.

 

[jrmasm]

full EPs

Sorry, what?

 

[Gina]

Wow, FluMist for FREE, and no hassle w/ doctors?? Where can I sign our school district up?? DS and I get FluMist every year -- I don't do needles, and try not to subject DS to that either. And as someone previously said, they have shown FluMist to be more effective than the shot, especially in children. There are also preliminary studies showing that because the vaccine is given nasally, it even helps ward off the common cold virus.

Downside to FluMist is it is a huge PIA to find every year (has to be refrigerated and it seems many pharmacies don't want to hassle with it), and in TX children under 14 have to have a prescription for it if you want to get it someplace other than a doctor's office. There are so many negatives in going the Dr.'s office route for the vaccine, I just hate to hassle with it. And FluMist costs more than the shot. But since we go on vacation during the peak of flu season every year, it gives me peace of mind to have the vaccine.

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

The flu vaccine is mandatory for school/preschool here in NJ so all my boys have gotten the vaccine. My oldest gets the FluMist while the younger two get the shot (one has asthma so can't have the FluMist and one is too young for the mist).

Considering that you have to give parental consent for the school to administer it, I'm sure that parents of kids with asthma will be declining (or so I'd like to think!).

Hopefully most parents will speak to their pediatricians before saying yes or no and will make educated decisions. I personally would probably decline having it done at the school just because I like to be there when my kids get vaccinations for my own peace of mind.

I think it's great that families will have an option for a free flu vaccine. It's always nice to have choices.

 

[sbell111]

full EPs

Sorry, what?

EPSDT Exams

 

[2girlsmom]

I'm not sure what those are, and I looked at your link. My kids have all the screenings, though, and all the vaccines that THEIR DOCTOR says they need. Thus far the dr does not feel that flu, pneumonia, gardasil, etc are needed or even that the benefits outweigh the risks. IMO, decisions about what is given to kids should be solely the responsibility of parents and dr's, the state/federal government has no business involved. Both my children got the chicken pox shot because the schools required it, as did my nephew age 16, both my nephew and my eldest have had shingles/chicken pox again in the past 2 years, though, so obviously the vaccine was not very beneficial longterm, and our dr has said that he doesn't feel this is a shot they have enough information on the benefits vs risks so should not be mandated.

 

[laurie31]

I'm not sure what those are, and I looked at your link. My kids have all the screenings, though, and all the vaccines that THEIR DOCTOR says they need.

EPSDT = Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

In other words, a child should be evaluated by a physician at proper intervals, so problems can be caught early and treated before they become more serious. A child should have regular check-ups, dental, and eye exams.

These are the things you do for your kids, because you're a good mom AND because you are educated and know they're important AND you have the financial means to do so. You take them for a check-up, dental cleaning, eye exam, etc.


Now, imagine you are a mom who is also a good mom and loves her kids, but doesn't have insurance, or a car. She never went to the dentist as a child or had regular check-ups at the doctor, so she doesn't KNOW it's important, and even if she did know, she has no way to get there, and no way to pay for it. Maybe she works and makes too much for Medicaid, but her job doesn't offer insurance. So, the children of moms like this are the ones who are the "squeaky wheels" in the health care system and there is much brainstorming about how to better reach them to meet their needs. It is hypothesized that a parent who can't take time off work to take their kid to the MD for a vaccine, or couldn't afford the co-pay, would gladly sign a consent for their child to get a free vaccine at school. No time off work for the parent, and the child is already there, so no transportation issues.

Every parent has the right to choose to vaccinate their children or not. I believe this program is for those who want to, but wouldn't be able to otherwise. Also I confess, I would not mind at all for my child to get flumist at school, letting me skip the 2 hour trip to the doc and the co-pay, even though I can afford both.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

my school district offered the flu vaccine last year for the first time. However, there were differences from what the op describes.

Vaccines were administered by the local county health dept, not school nurses. Both mist and injections were offered. There was a charge for the service $15. Parents/siblings could also come in and get vaccinated. There was an option to sign the form and send it in, but I was not comfortable iwth that.

The health dept was at each building in the district either in the morning including before school, or afternoon and after school. If you missed them at your building, you could go to any other building's times.

I took the girls in for the flu mist and they much preferred it to an injection. no surprise there Normally, I get all vaccinations done at our dr's office, but they only offer the injections, so we used the county clinic at the school to get the mist. Cost of $15 is the same as our copay so no difference in price. I am hoping they offer the flu mist again this year.

to answer the op's question - after getting the ok from our dr, yes I would have my kids get the flu mist at school. But I would be there to see it administered. I'm picky that way. My kids do not receive non-emergency medical care without me or my husband being there.