great day

[pollR78]

I have had such a good day at work today, all the training and prep has finished and today we went to the first school in the region to have the new flu vaccination - its the new nasal vaccine we are doing.

It went so well and I loved it, although I can't actually give the immunisation yet as my pin (Nursing & Midwifery Council) hasn't come through yet, I was there to help and see how it all works, I am going to LOVE doing this job!!



For the next 5/6 weeks we are travelling around the region visiting different schools

Poll xx

[JoM]

Glad you had a good day Poll!

How's this nasal vaccine work then, just a quick squirt up the nose and that's it? I'm just asking as my boys are having it on Saturday, they have an immune problem so have been advised to have it and I'm keen for them to be immunised as Tom has had proper flu twice in the last 4 years

[pollR78]

its been fabby Jo!

Yeah, basically they will get a wee 'squirt' up each nostril (0.5ml in each nostril) its like a fine mist, it may make their nose run a bit or eyes water - totally normal

xxx

[Kaz]

Oh that's smashing Poll

I get offered the jab every Winter but don't take it up - however after the really nasty dose of flu I got back in March (remember that palaver anyone? ) I am seriously considering it this time Will everyone get this nasal option now, or is it just being rolled out for kids?

[pollR78]

No sadly we are too old for the nasal one to be effective, I had the injection on Thursday - never had it before and been quite unwell over the weekend BUT needed it for this job!

Kids age 2-18 are the ideal age for intra-nasal vaccine. A few friends have had letters from GP for their 2-3yr olds to go and get it, anyone in primary school is getting it done in school by us Its totally new so this year our region are only doing a pilot of 50 schools and hoping its a success and next year it will be every school

poll xxx

[Kaz]

That's much nicer for the kids

See, the reason I don't take it up is that the one time I did it made me ill However the flu I had this last time was vicious - it had been a long time since I felt as ill as that So I'm dithering

[JoM]

Ahhh thanks Poll. Joe's been bombarding me with questions as it's all new.

I had my injection on Saturday and I'd heard a lot about it hurting this year (last year I didn't feel her do it) and that it was bad afterwards and it did hurt when she injected me but it's not been too bad since. My arm was slightly tender on Saturday and Sunday but nothing like it normally is, and no swelling either this time.

Kaz, I'd read about this being rolled out for all children in Scotland and for those at risk in England so I contacted their consultant at the hospital to see if he thought it was necessary - Tom had a horrible time over last Christmas with flu, and 3 years before that too, so I wouldn't want to see him go through that again or Joe for the first time if there was something I could do to help prevent it.

[pollR78]

Thats it Kaz, I think its worth getting the injection and feeling a bit rough as the flu would be 100 times worse!

No worries Jo, I think its a great thing, and you never know, one day the flu might be erradicated thanks to vaccination and having it done this way is definitely much kinder to the kids! Some of the kids today said it tickled their nose! lol!

Have to say, I was ok after the injection but the day after by body started aching and my arm was agony, red and swollen, and for 2 days I was achey and sore, but im sure the flu is worse!

Poll xx

[Kaz]

Jo I'm sure you are 100% right about the boys, much safer for them to have it done xxxxx

Poll I will probably take it up then, this time Thanks for all the info, it's great having our own on-board Nursey

[pollR78]

anytime Kaz

xxxx