Why did the nurse argue with me about the mist?

[Anonymous]

I took my 6 YO to the Manassas clinic today. They are offering vaccination to anyone ages 6 months to 49 years. So I signed both of us up for the flu mist. I figured, save the shot for someone who can't get the mist (pregnant, under age two, whatever). I repeatedly assured my 6 yo she would NOT be getting a shot.

So we get to the vaccination nurse and she starts trying to talk me into getting the shot. "Why don't you want the shot? Are you sure you don't want the shot?" I said, "Well, I figured save the shot for a pregnant woman or whatever...." She looked at me like I was nuts. Meanwhile my 6 YO got wind of this conversation and started to blanch and back away from the vaccination station..... Finally she gave me the mist and I reassurred my kid and she got the mist. But why on earth would they try to get a non pregnant woman to take the shot instead of the mist? Is there something wrong with the mist? anyone? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

You can't do the mist if you are immune-compromised somehow. Or asthma. It's also a live virus so there's a slight risk of actually getting the flu and/or other side effects. That said, my doc friends tell me it's actually more effective.

[Anonymous]

It is more effective in a CHILD -- but the reverse is true for an adult.

[Anonymous]

The mist made my son sick. He's had a cough and congestion since the day after he got it.

[Anonymous]

That's odd. I was at Hardy on Thursday and they were pushing the mist on anyone who could have it towards the end of the night.

[Anonymous]

That IS weird. I've been to two clinics (one for DD, one for me) and at both they were encouraging anyone who had a choice to get the mist. Don't know what your staffer's thinking was...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The mist made my son sick. He's had a cough and congestion since the day after he got it.

Have you talked to your doctor? The mist has certain ingredients that that shot does not--MSG and pig gelatin, for example. I have NO IDEA what this implies, but maybe your child is reacting to an ingredient? In any case, hopefully your doctor can help and the little guy will feel better soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The mist made my son sick. He's had a cough and congestion since the day after he got it.

I am sorry that happened - but of course, while it could have been the mist, it could have been another germ he picked up elsewhere, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The mist made my son sick. He's had a cough and congestion since the day after he got it.

Have you talked to your doctor? The mist has certain ingredients that that shot does not--MSG and pig gelatin, for example. I have NO IDEA what this implies, but maybe your child is reacting to an ingredient? In any case, hopefully your doctor can help and the little guy will feel better soon.

NP here. More importantly, the mist contains live virus and has the ability to make people actually come down with (usually mild) flu symptoms. I think that's what the PP meant when s/he said the mist made her son sick.

[Anonymous]

I had same experience at Fairfax Co clinic - i assumed they were running low on mist and that's why they pushed the shot (i have a 3.5yo and would've rather given him the mist). We ended up with the shot.