Flu mist or shot

brenorrn

Hi!  Are you getting your toddler the flu vac?  Which one was recommended to you, why?  LO is almost 2 1/2. We got the shot last year b/c that's the one less then 2 could have. Thanks!

ale05008

I don't have a two year old yet, so I just a lurker, but figured out I can answer this question. Our pedi said that they prefer giving a shot till 36 months. So till then you get a shot vaccine. Hope that helps

LSU628

DD did the mist last year. The nurse had her practice "smelling a flower" (she twisted a pink tissue into the shape of a flower) and the last time squirted the mist up her nose while she was sniffing. It was quick, painless, no tears, and she didn't get the flu. I think I will definitely go that route again this year.

Adriamichelle83

We did the shot...only because we weren't sure S would cooperate with sniffing. She's quite headstrong and if she isn't in the mood to cooperate, she won't. The day we were at the doctor was one of those days. So I opted for the shot. If I knew she would have sniffed, I would have went that route.

sschwege

I was all set for DD to get the injection this year.  I worry about newer things, plus she was already getting one shot so I figured, what's one more?  I talked to her pedi about it and she said she recommends the mist over the shot.  She said that research seems to suggest that it is more effective than an injection because of the way it enters your body and it also may be more effective if they don't hit the mark this year in terms of which flues will be the worst.  Every year the flu shot is just a prediction of which flues they think will be the worst and she said that if they get it close, but but not exact it should still offer some protection if she gets the mist.

She said the one down-side is that some kids end up with a runny nose (DD did not).  

smokenbogey

My 3.5 yr old got the shot,I would have gotten him to get the mist but he had a history of some wheezing when he was a baby and they said it has to be over 2 years which it has ,so I don't know.So he should be able to get it next year.My older ds got the mist,he's 6.

MrsWindyCity

DS just got the shot the other day. Our pedi mentioned that next year they would do the mist.

Arnegard

2 & 4 yo's did the mist and my 7 yo requested a shot.

saturdaynightdoubletree

I posted this same question about a month ago. Everyone on here pretty much said to do the mist. I ran it by my good friend who is a pedi and she said she likes giving kids the shot better, especially if they already have a runny nose or congestion. I ended up getting DD the shot because DS was getting it at the same time, and doing the same thing just seemed easier and fair. Our pedi offers mist, but my doctor only does shots so that's all I've ever had, and DH much prefers side effects of the shot vs the mist but doesn't have a choice because he's military, and every year it's been different.

anonsouthernbell

The mist is a live vax so it is possible to get the flu from the mist, whereas that's not possible w. the shot.

allioop2001

mainerocks:

My pedi didn't offer the mist (and I forgot it's even an option since we always do the shot), so we went the shot route.  I'll try to remember to ask his opinion next year.

Same here.