Which do you take, and why...flu shot versus flu nasal mist?

[marshallandcartersmo]

We as a family have never taken the flu shot and/or mist. This year we're probably going to get it, especially for DS8 & 5. The H1N1 shot we're leaning towards not doing at all.

Which do you prefer, and why......the flu shot or the nasal mist? A friend of mine (nurse) has suggested the mist. She said yes, it is a live virus, but since it gets into the nasal passages if can be more effective to fight other germs/virus that might come up in the future.

Our pediatrition really doesn't give an opinion. We go to a large group, some of the doctors suggest the mist, some the shot, some have no preferance.

DS's are healthy average boys, so I'm assuming that's why it doesn't matter either way.

 

[laurie31]

We do the mist, because it is more effective, MAY also protect against other respiratory viruses, and let's face it, it's WAY more pleasant.

My kids will get the mist willingly, but aren't happy at all about shots.

(however, if I thought the mist was significantly less effective, I'd probably make them get the shot, but since it's actually more effective, it's a win-win.)

From the CDC

How effective is the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist®)?
In one large study among children aged 15-85 months, the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist®) reduced the chance of influenza illness by 92% compared with placebo. In a study among adults, the participants were not specifically tested for influenza. However, the study found 19% fewer severe febrile respiratory tract illnesses, 24% fewer respiratory tract illnesses with fever, 23-27% fewer days of illness, 13-28% fewer lost work days, 15-41% fewer health care provider visits, and 43-47% less use of antibiotics compared with placebo.

http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/about/qa/nasalspray.htm


From WebMD:

The nasal spray flu vaccine FluMist proved to be more effective than traditional flu shots in a large, worldwide study funded by the vaccine's manufacturer, MedImmune Inc. The nasal vaccine reduced flu cases by 55 percent compared with the flu shot.

The study, which included nearly 8,000 children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years, is published in the Feb. 15 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.

"For the majority of children it appears that the nasal vaccine is a better choice," researcher Robert B. Belshe, M.D., of Saint Louis University, tells WebMD.

 

[momw/2princesses]

My girls get the mist too. The doctor recommended it last year because my youngest is so bad with shots (tried to escape the office at her last checkup because she was getting a shot!). She said that it could be more effective and that's what she gave to her kids. The girls didn't mind at all and aren't scared for it this year. Good luck!

 

[padams]

The mist caused my younger DS (age 10 at that time) to sneeze last year as the nurse sprayed it. The nurse had no idea how much mist he actually inhaled and how much was sneezed out. The pediatrician advised against redoing it. DS didn't get the flu last season but we don't know if the vaccine was of any benefit.

 

[Gina]

Mist for DS and I every year! No needles for me.

 

[disney1990]

DH and I get the shot. I have asthma plus I'm over 50. They don't recommend the mist under those conditions.

 

[jam217]

My son and I get the shot mainly because it's offered free by our local hospital. Once a year they offer to the public (regardless of income) free flu shots at a local amusement park. You drive in the parking lot, hand over your papers, stick your arm out the window and you're out of there within minutes.

 

[luvmy3]

I'll get the shot, and my ds with asthma will have to get the shot, while my other 2 kids will get the mist.

 

[sacall]

We all get the shot (myself, dh, dd and dd). In fact, I just took the girls and myself in today for our regular flu shots. Dh will have to find a Saturday clinic to get his shot.

My oldest dd (she has CF) will be getting the swine flu when it becomes available. She is not at all happy that it is going to be 2 shots, unless they have changed that! I too plan on getting the swine flu because of my asthma.

Stacy

 

[NJMomma]

I prefer the shot to the mist because I felt flu-like (not severe though) after getting the mist. My DD has asthma and we also plan getting the H1N1 shot when it is available.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

thanks so much! I think we'll go w/the mist..........

 

[locolala]

I go with the shot, because I have pretty bad asthma and can't get the mist. I plan to get the H1N1 vaccine, because I'm so high risk. My husband has no choice, he has to get both types, and because of my asthma and because I've had cancer, they prefer he gets the shot.

 

[Tinkerbelle'sMOM]

I wish I could get the mist, but we are not allowed to in the hospital I work in as you shed the virus for 30 days and cannot come in contact with immunosuppressed people. We also curtail visitation into the NICU/onocology floors...if any visitor has had the flumist they cannot visit for 30 days.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I wish I could get the mist, but we are not allowed to in the hospital I work in as you shed the virus for 30 days and cannot come in contact with immunosuppressed people. We also curtail visitation into the NICU/onocology floors...if any visitor has had the flumist they cannot visit for 30 days.

I didn't know this. We have an aunt that's going through chemo right now, so we probably shouldn't be around her for awhile after the mist.....right?

thanks for the information!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Don't the nasal sprays contain weakened but live virus?

I rejected the spray for Polio because of the risk, however small, of the weakened virus actually causing the illness it is meant to prevent. I apply the same reasoning to all vaccines so for me & mine, no thanks. You can't get sick from a dead virus so it's the shot for us here.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Don't the nasal sprays contain weakened but live virus?
I rejected the spray for Polio because of the risk, however small, of the weakened virus actually causing the illness it is meant to prevent. I apply the same reasoning to all vaccines so for me & mine, no thanks. You can't get sick from a dead virus so it's the shot for us here.

Yes, I read that. But I have read it's more effective and may prevent other respiratory illnesses as well.

My friend that's a nurse says most people that do get "sick" from the mist, have MUCH milder symptoms that the regular flu, and it usually lasts about 1-2 days.

 

[paintnolish]

My dcs get the mist because it is much easier on them than the shot! They were freaked for days last year before their appointment. Then the dr. said they could get the mist! They were much happier and had no problems with it afterwards.