Any medical folks able to talk about flu shots?

[twowhat?]

Drugs are tested and approved by demographics. It’s not just size of the patient, especially with something like a vaccine, but also physiological differences that come with age. The clearest example I can think of is a lot of anti-depressants are counter-indicated or require extra supervision when given to young people because they increase suicidal risk in this age group. If a flu vaccine hasn’t been approved for people under 18 (probably because it hasn’t been studied in this age group) then a doctor isn’t going to give that vaccine to someone under 18. Especially when there are vaccines marketed to this age group that will presumably be available soon.

Yes, this exactly. The 18+ vaccine was tested in subjects ages 18+. Unless there's some sort of emergency reason to do so (and the FDA does have some guidelines around compassionate use of drugs outside of what they are indicated for), then he just can't get it. And there are definitely physiological difference between pediatric and adult patients though the lines start getting fuzzy in the late teens. Virtually every clinical trial specifies ages (e.g. 18 and over, or younger than 18, or can even get more specific than that.

I would actually check around local drugstores - see what your CVS or local flu shot clinics have in stock, unless there's a specific reason you need to get it from your doctor. For example, our pediatrician only has FluMist right now, which me and the kids can get. DH is over 50 and FluMist isn't recommended for adults over 50 so DH's insurance won't cover it...so he had to go to CVS to get a different flu vaccine.

[Kindra178]

I have taken ds1 to Target for his flu shot when he we can't make it into the ped's office. You get a coupon to use for shopping too!

[Mommy_Mea]

I was surprised to discover that when I went to make an appointment at our pediatrician for the flu vaccine clinic that they are offering flumist again! Which would be awesome because shots for DS1 are traumatizing!

[calebsmama03]

Yes, this exactly. The 18+ vaccine was tested in subjects ages 18+. Unless there's some sort of emergency reason to do so (and the FDA does have some guidelines around compassionate use of drugs outside of what they are indicated for), then he just can't get it. And there are definitely physiological difference between pediatric and adult patients though the lines start getting fuzzy in the late teens. Virtually every clinical trial specifies ages (e.g. 18 and over, or younger than 18, or can even get more specific than that.

I would actually check around local drugstores - see what your CVS or local flu shot clinics have in stock, unless there's a specific reason you need to get it from your doctor. For example, our pediatrician only has FluMist right now, which me and the kids can get. DH is over 50 and FluMist isn't recommended for adults over 50 so DH's insurance won't cover it...so he had to go to CVS to get a different flu vaccine.

I thought Flumist was discontinued because it was found to be ineffective?

[Kindra178]

I thought Flumist was discontinued because it was found to be ineffective?

It got brought back.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/nasalspray.htm

[georgiegirl]

It got brought back.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/nasalspray.htm

My kids prefer crap squirted up their noses over injections so they will be happy to hear that . Personally I like the shot better. However, it’s been pretty ineffective for my family.

[MMMommy]

Me, DH and both DDs (teens under age 18) all got our flu shots at CVS yesterday. All the same shots, as far as I know.

[PZMommy]

We got ours today and the drive up was pretty neat. I was a bit nervous as my younger DS doesn’t do well with medical stuff given his history, but he handled it like a champ.

I’m not sure if they offer the mist or not. It’s not an option for us, so I’ve never asked about it. Besides my little guy would rather take a shot vs have something shoved up his nose.

[KpbS]

When I stopped in Target today for some additional school supplies, the CVS woman was at the front near the carts asking if we’d like shots today. She said they were for 7 yo and up. I think we’ll stop in next week.

[wendibird22]

We will get ours (we do every year) but I’m waiting until October. Our flu season, according to our county health dept, doesn’t peak till Feb/March so I don’t want to get the vax too soon and have it wear off.


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