What are the reasons to NOT do the flu mist?

[Anonymous]

I have appts for my kids. (6 and 10) to get the mist. We have always received the shot because our pediatrician did not do the mist. He retired and we are with a new practice. The CDC recommends the mist over the shot for kids 2-8 because it generates a higher level of immunity for that age group. I am just thinking about avoiding the shot if it is not really necessary, but I do not want to do it if there are good reasons to choose the shot. Please educate me.

TIA

[Anonymous]

asthma

[Anonymous]

Not being snarky. The CDC site discusses the exceptions. Asthma is one.

[Anonymous]

The doctors say it doesn't matter, but I'm not keen on giving my kids the live virus and risking the chance of them dealing with mild flu symptoms as a result of the mist. We go with the shot.

[Anonymous]

Just gave our 8 yr old boy flu mist (first time). The pediatrician said he may get some flu symptoms, and he did. First day was sneezing and second day mild throat and ear discomfort. No fever, not a bid deal. Third day, back to normal. Maybe these symptoms mean better immunity? I don't know.

[Anonymous]

I got the mist as did my 3 year old and had no issues. The doctor said that the mist was not advised for people with immune and respiratory issues like asthma.

[Anonymous]

Thanks.

I read the CDC info, so I know the recommendations and potential side effects.

My concern is that some people seem averse to the mist so I am trying to understand why in light of (1) the CDC recommendation that the mist is actually more effective for children 2-8, and(2) the fact that kids hate shots so I think the mist is likely an easier event all around.

I have never had a side effect to a flu shot and neither have my kids and they ahve had them since they were 1. I did not see any info on how often the side effects happen or whether they are more common with the mist than the shot.

[Anonymous]

Our youngest has asthma so he has to take a shot. We were also advised that we cannot/should not do the flu mist since we would be exposing the live virus to him (who has asthma).

[Anonymous]

"FluMist might offer somewhat better protection against the flu than the traditional shot."

[Anonymous]

The flu mist is actually live, the shot is inactive.

Some kids have a tough time inhaling the mist sufficiently. The shot you know goes in. Done. There is no drawn out drama about getting the kid to sit still/wiggle, inhale 2x (!).

[Anonymous]

The mist is more effective but its also more expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks.

I read the CDC info, so I know the recommendations and potential side effects.

My concern is that some people seem averse to the mist so I am trying to understand why in light of (1) the CDC recommendation that the mist is actually more effective for children 2-8, and(2) the fact that kids hate shots so I think the mist is likely an easier event all around.

I have never had a side effect to a flu shot and neither have my kids and they ahve had them since they were 1. I did not see any info on how often the side effects happen or whether they are more common with the mist than the shot.

People are stupid. They thought they would catch autism cause Jenny McCarthy told them so. Listen to the CDC not "people"

[Anonymous]

Mist covers four strains,,shots cover three.

[Anonymous]

It contains live viruses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mist covers four strains,,shots cover three.

Target carries the shot with 4 strains this year. They said it's the first year that there is a quadrivalent shot (used to be just in the mist). My 7 year old DS hates shots and asked for the mist this year. We let him get it. It was easy and he didn't have any noticeable symptoms after. We stuck with the shot for the toddler because there was no way he would cooperate with the mist.