Child flu vaccinations

Influenza can be very unpleasant indeed. I had it over Christmas/New Year 1999-2000, it floored me for about 10 days. It was too painful even to  read, I came to realize how much Radio 4 repeats programmes. I developed such a high fever that I began hallucinating - inanimate objects were moving around.

I would persevere, if I were you. A short period of distress is better than the chance of days of utter misery. 

My reply mightn’t be of help now and perhaps inappropriate. If so, my apologies and please disregard.

My dogs used to receive nasal ‘kennel cough’ (a viral respiratory illness) vaccinations. These were an ordeal as dogs are highly sensitive in that area. Later, injectable vaccines were licensed for UK veterinary use. This year my dogs received their vaccinations orally, along the gum line, followed by treats. It was a much happier experience for all parties.

I am wondering if oral vaccinations might be made available for children now or in the future? If so, perhaps they could be followed by a sweet rather than dog treats. 

Thanks Almond. I’ve spoken to him about it a few times, and he seems to see why having it is a good thing. It definitely helps him when he understands why he has to do something.

Thanks Iain. We had a chat about why he refused it in the first place and he said he just doesn’t want to have it. It doesn’t seem to be anyone at school being a bad influence, but definitely worth checking. 

Thank you for your suggestion, I’m going to try this. Sometimes he gets so stressed in the moment he can’t seem to see beyond it, but hopefully if we talk about it beforehand and give him a nice choice for afterwards it might help him feel a bit more in control

With his PDA and the need for a bit of autonomy, could you let him have a bit of control over what happens afterwards maybe as a bit of a treat. I don't know what he likes or what you'd be happy with as I get not wanting to spend lots every time he needs something doing. But maybe being able to go to maccies or something and he could choose between that or somewhere else. Or if there's stuff at home he could choose between for being brave. Just a suggestion.

Amberet said:

My 5 year old son (he’s autistic with a PDA profile) was offered a nasal flu vaccination at school, which he refused

Have you been able to get him to explain why he doesn't want it?

Could he be getting anti-vaxxers influencing him? If so I would take this up with the school, expecially if there is teacher doing this. It could also be someone at home which is why asking him to explain it is necessary.

Sometimes an incentive can be the lever to move that immovable object - taking him for a special treat meal or to the cinema can work (whatever he loves but doesn't get too often).

Ah I reread your post and you mentioned nasal flu vaccine, sorry I missed that part. I’ve never had a spray up the nose before so I don’t know what it’s like but I can imagine it to be hard for a young child. 

I definitely agree to bringing the tablet and maybe bring a cuddly toy as well to cuddle and stroke. I even do that when I’m in public but I have to put mine in my bag! Change in routine can be frustrating but it’s just this one off and once the spray is done everything can go back to normal maybe? 

At least the school is offering these vaccinations and eye tests, in my primary school we didn’t get any of that and though I was able to get my vaccinations free at the drs, we had to pay for the eye tests and I fainted at my last appointment which was 11 years ago! 

Sorry if I you have said this before but is your son having his spray in school? If so are you able to come in and comfort him? Only other option could be to maybe push the date back a bit more so your son could possibly get his mind around it, but that can be risky move. It’s definitely better to get the spray though as the flu is horrible. I actually had it back in April for the whole month and it was awful! 

I hope everything works out for you guys and feel free to let us know how you got on! You take care! 

When I was young something like this would have worked (or backfired): We have to vaccinate so that you are protected from the flu. We now the flu is bad, and we feel very ill. Normally the vaccine involves needles, but we got lucky. A nasal vaccine is painless, and after we make it, we will be able to play outside and be much stronger to fight the flu. Remember we have to thank the doctor when we arrive."

Does sound like propaganda so I'd advice you iterate a few versions if used at all.

Hi Elfilis, thank you for responding.

He hasn’t had trouble with needles in the past, but luckily the flu vaccine he’ll be receiving this time is a nasal one so it’s just a quick squirt up the nose (which probably doesn’t feel very nice either to be honest!) He’s had one before, and didn’t particularly enjoy it, but didn’t find it too bad either.

I think this is more him trying to avoid doing something he feels pressured to do, or something that’s outside his usual routine. He also refused his eye test at school. We’ll take his tablet so he can play on his games while having it, and will definitely ask for someone appropriate to give it to him. I had flu once myself about 15 years ago and it was terrible, so I don’t really want to risk him catching it. But equally don’t want to traumatise him either!

It’s a good suggestion re buying our own emla cream - I’ll keep that in mind for his future needly ones :-)

This is probably a silly question but is he afraid of injections? I always have been and still am the worst person in the entire universe with them and I’m nearly 26. 

I suppose you could try getting this Elma cream as I believe that is meant to numb the area for the jab. I’m not sure if the drs supply the cream but if they did it might require a double application. I don’t think the cream is too expensive to buy though and you could apply the cream yourself. I don’t know how effective the cream is though and with your son being a younger age he might not like the sensation of numbing. 

Another thing could be to maybe ask for a dr/nurse who is kind and understanding as that can make a difference I find. Also maybe bring some toys or get him to watch some videos or listen to music maybe. Only other option is as you say to not get the jab and take the risk. To be honest I don’t think I’ve ever had a flu jab before but I’m not sure. All I know if I’ve had the MMR, polio and another two combined with polio, meningitis and of course corona. 

I just hope one day there will be other forms of vaccination! I mean I’ve heard of like a cube that you sucked on years ago but I don’t even know if they exist now! 

Wishing you both the best x