Is November too late for a flu shot?

[redheadbaker]

I called L's pedi for a flu shot appointment with the nurse practitioner, and the first available was early November. Considering the shot takes two weeks to be effective, is that too late? If he wasn't in daycare full-time, I would be less concerned.

I don't want to deal with the flu if at all possible (I know, not 100% effective), because I don't get paid sick or personal time, FI can't take off to care for a sick kid, AND FI and I are both in the high-risk category I'd we catch the flu.

[jeaniebueller]

Well, like I posted the other day, our shots are scheduled for 11/10, so I hope not.

[Muddled]

I don't think so. You can get them at most pharmacies if you'd rather do it sooner.

[Alyssa]

Do you have supermarket or drug store pharmacies that offer the flu shot? There's also Urgent Care, you can call them up and ask if they have any available.

[mannah]

I don't think that is too late, but the earlier the better. Maybe see if they can put you on a cancellation list or if you can get it at the pharmacy. Also I don't know how old he is but he might need the two part one in which case he would not get the second part until December and that seems kind of late.

[Deleted]

We always get them in late November. I think you are fine.

[Susie]

November was the soonest you could get a nurse practitioner app't, or the soonest you could get a flu shot at all? Regular RNs can give flu shots, so it seems weird that you need a NP app't to get one. If you can't get a flu shot regardless of appointment type I'd try elsewhere before November.

My family practice has walk-in flu shot clinics on days/times that are listed on the practice's website (my location offered 3 Saturdays in Sept from 8a-12p), or I could get a 5 minute nurse app't.  I got it when I was in the office for something else in Sept.  

[redheadbaker]

Sept 30, 2015 12:25:25 GMT -5 mannah said:

I don't think that is too late, but the earlier the better. Maybe see if they can put you on a cancellation list or if you can get it at the pharmacy. Also I don't know how old he is but he might need the two part one in which case he would not get the second part until December and that seems kind of late.

He's almost 4 years old, so, single shot.

[redheadbaker]

Sept 30, 2015 12:34:06 GMT -5 Susie said:

November was the soonest you could get a nurse practitioner app't, or the soonest you could get a flu shot at all? Regular RNs can give flu shots, so it seems weird that you need a NP app't to get one. If you can't get a flu shot regardless of appointment type I'd try elsewhere before November.

My family practice has walk-in flu shot clinics on days/times that are listed on the practice's website (my location offered 3 Saturdays in Sept from 8a-12p), or I could get a 5 minute nurse app't. I got it when I was in the office for something else in Sept.

November was the first appointment of any type I could get.

[Deleted]

No- my allergist recommendd getting a late one so it doesn't wear off before the season is over

[redheadbaker]

Sept 30, 2015 12:36:18 GMT -5 @amydm said:

No- my allergist recommendd getting a late one so it doesn't wear off before the season is over

Oh, that's a good point.

[Deleted]

You're probably fine.

We got ours last week, and usually they don't recommend getting it so early, but last year flu season here hit by the end of september, and since this years shot is supposed to be a better match of the different strains, they were ok with giving it early.

[melsamoony]

My pedi recommended getting it in October but my son needs two so his second will be in November.

It is kind of a hard thing to decide because some seasons start early and others end really late.

Does your pedi do flu clinics? If the season starts to pick up before your scheduled shot I would probably move it up.

I do not recommend pharmacies for kids....pedi nurses are best at giving shots to kids.

[lishie]

I just called my pedi's office to add my younger son onto DS1's well child visit in two weeks, so that both of them can get flu shots at the same time.

My pedi isn't even scheduling it, because they still don't have the vaccine. They don't know when they'll get it.

[dottyblue]

Sept 30, 2015 12:36:18 GMT -5 @amydm said:

No- my allergist recommendd getting a late one so it doesn't wear off before the season is over

What? That's not how it works. You either build up the antibodies or you don't. It doesn't "wear off".

[sparkythelawyer]

No, November is fine. According to my studies-this-crap-for-a-living sister, October and November are the ideal time for the flu shot.

[anna7602]

Uh, we didn't get one until February last year (once DS was 6 months old)? We'll be getting this year's at DS's 15-mo well visit in early November. 

[wanderingenough]

Sept 30, 2015 13:04:22 GMT -5 dottyblue said:

Sept 30, 2015 12:36:18 GMT -5 @amydm said:

No- my allergist recommendd getting a late one so it doesn't wear off before the season is over

What? That's not how it works. You either build up the antibodies or you don't. It doesn't "wear off".

It's a common misconception that I think started in years we had flu vaccine shortage. I've heard it perpetuated by doctor's office staff many times. From my understanding, the truth is actually somewhere in the middle. How long it lasts depends on the individual's immune system. Public health experts have debated whether seniors and those with compromised immune systems should get multiple shots in one flu season, as it may not provide enough protection to last them through Mar/Apr. A young, healthy person is fine getting it in Sept/Oct, though.

[melsamoony]

Sept 30, 2015 13:14:32 GMT -5 wanderingenough said:

Sept 30, 2015 13:04:22 GMT -5 dottyblue said:

What? That's not how it works. You either build up the antibodies or you don't. It doesn't "wear off".

It's a common misconception that I think started in years we had flu vaccine shortage. I've heard it perpetuated by doctor's office staff many times. From my understanding, the truth is actually somewhere in the middle. How long it lasts depends on the individual's immune system. Public health experts have debated whether seniors and those with compromised immune systems should get multiple shots in one flu season, as it may not provide enough protection to last them through Mar/Apr. A young, healthy person is fine getting it in Sept/Oct, though.

Immunity to the flu shot does decrease over time but is believed to last the season.

There is now a high dose flu shot for people over 65 which is meant to assist them in developing immunity.

[redheadbaker]

Sept 30, 2015 13:12:41 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

Do you need an appt for a shot? We can just walk in and they give us a ticket to go back to the shot area.!

Yeah, we need an appointment.

[redheadbaker]

Sept 30, 2015 13:47:19 GMT -5 @fivedogs said:

Sept 30, 2015 13:26:37 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Yeah, we need an appointment.

The only reason November would be "too late" is if he gets the flu before then.  If you are very concerned about him getting the flu, I would find an alternative (Minute Clinic, urgent care, pharmacy, etc.).  Is there a reason he can't get the FluMist?  Then it really wouldn't matter as much whether the person administering it has a lot of experience with kids.  But if I really wanted DDs to have the vaccine, they had to have the injection, and my pedi couldn't do it until November, I would take it from wherever.  However, I think I would also probably ditch a pediatrician who required an NP to give a flu vaccine if that caused a backup until November (unless it is the law or something they can't help).

I would prefer him to get the Flu Mist, but then I'd have to make a doctor (not NP) appointment, and that wait is even longer. I called a few pharmacies in my area, and none of them have the Flu Mist,or know if they will even be getting it.

[jorja]

No. The flu typically peaks between January and April.

They haven't even started doing them for us at work yet (I'm a nurse...mandatory for us to get them).

[hainesherway]

I got mine today. DS doesn't turn 6 months until near the end of November, so I'm assuming he'll get his then and hopefully it won't be too late.

[everafter07]

We got our shots and DD's flu mist at Target last week. I don't know how old your child is, I think they have to be 2 for the mist.