Flu shot is less effective this year

You can't get the flu from the flumist vaccine.

It's an attenuated virus, so it's crippled. Not only that, but it is formulated to be most infectious at a temperature just below body temp, e.g., the temperature in your nose rather than the rest of your respiratory system

There is some evidence that severely immunocompromised individuals may be able to get the flu from the mist, but it does not sound like this is OP's situation or the situation of her kids.

It's late, sorry for grammar errors...

Anonymous wrote:I get what OP is saying and according to the CDC yes, it is possible but rare for people to shed enough virus from Flumist to infect others:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/nasalspray.htm?mobile=nocontent

. OP here. I read that too. Considering we got a whole staff email from our principal today that there are many cases at my school (I'm a teacher), to the point that they notified the health department, it's safe to assume flu cases are increasing rapidly. Ironic, since DH is the non-teacher, and started it on our house. Guess it's in his office too. I have read the nasal is more effective for children than the shot, so we'll stick with nasal for them next year.

Anonymous wrote:My kids got the flu mist this year and within 48 hours both had respiratory illness that then infected dh and me. I do blame the mist, or believe that if it wasn't the mist, they picked up something while at the ped's to get the flu mist. It was pretty awful, and we are never getting the mist again.

I'm not at all a flu vaccine opponent, but this is the 2nd time we've gotten sick right after getting the mist. We're sticking with the jab next time.

You are a loon. To get the jab you still have to go to the doc where you may pick up something. Or at school. Or at work. Or at the grocery store. Or walking down the street. Your family didn't get sick from the most. They got sick because you don't live in a bubble.

My kids got the flu mist this year and within 48 hours both had respiratory illness that then infected dh and me. I do blame the mist, or believe that if it wasn't the mist, they picked up something while at the ped's to get the flu mist. It was pretty awful, and we are never getting the mist again.

I'm not at all a flu vaccine opponent, but this is the 2nd time we've gotten sick right after getting the mist. We're sticking with the jab next time.

I get what OP is saying and according to the CDC yes, it is possible but rare for people to shed enough virus from Flumist to infect others:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/nasalspray.htm?mobile=nocontent

OP here. I guess the bottom line is, now DH and I have had this A strain which is going around, so now we should be good for the year, right (at least for this strain, and those covered in our vaccine)? I have to say, I wondered if tamiflu was worth it. DH was not able to get tamiflu in time, and was laid up miserable with fever, chills, cough, nose, etc. for 5-6 days. I started tamiflu Monday night, and think my fever broke last night, so 2 days. Fingers crossed.

Anonymous wrote:Isn't a good vaccine this year. A new strain came out and it was too late to add to the vaccine. We all had the shot and caught it last week.

C.D.C. Warns That Flu Season May Be More Deadly Than Usual
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/05/health/cdc-warns-that-flu-season-may-be-more-deadly-than-usual.html

That's really f-ing scary. Reminds me of the year h1n1 was prevalent.

Anonymous wrote:Anything is not possible. You can't get the flu from the flumist vaccine.

It's an attenuated virus, so it's crippled. Not only that, but it is formulated to be most infectious at a temperature just below body temp, e.g., the temperature in your nose rather than the rest of your respiratory system.

But could they still test positive for flu?

The same thing happened in our family. DC and DH got the flu mist. They got sick immediately after. I was pregnant and had been vaccinated, and I got sick, too.