Flumist question/concern

[lillymonster]

Hopefully I can get an answer today! I know the flumist is a live vaccine, but that is all I know.

I am 6 months pregnant and my DD belongs to a county-based education program for preschool readiness. It is run through the school system and they have a weekly playgroup and an "educator" that comes monthly. The educator called on Tuesday morning to ask if I still wanted her to come over because they ALL got flumist vaccines through the school system yesterday - I don't know if they did all schools or just hers, but that was an hour before she came, and I told her I was uncomfortable with her coming over since I was pregnant and we don't do flu shots. She was still sniffing on the phone!

Now I am wondering if I should go to the playgroup today, which is held on the grounds of an elementary school in a portable classroom. Not sure when the other teachers got the flumist, but all the kids are also getting them too

So should I go to this group? Can I get the flu from the live virus? any concerns with being pregnant and being around it (other than I have only gotten the flu twice in my life and I don't want it while pregnant-but I def don't want the shot) Dh and I are against flu vaccines.

[blondeviolin]

In theory, you can...But I'm severely asthmatic with a not great immune system (thank you, steroids). My husband has recieved flumist for the last four years for work (he's military) and I have never gotten the flu from him having the mist.

[HRJ]

Techically you can. My ped did the mist for her whole family MINUS her toddler one year b/c she believes the mist is more effective than the shot. She was trying to cocoon her son who had asthma from the flu. But everyone that got the mist in the family got the flu and so did the asthmatic toddler. That said, you are probably around people everywhere that are getting this - even at the grocery store. I don't know how much you can avoid it.

[lillymonster]

Originally Posted by HRJ

That said, you are probably around people everywhere that are getting this - even at the grocery store. I don't know how much you can avoid it.

I understand, I wasn't as concerned as a person one on one, but the whole school and all teachers were mass vaccinated the day before, and I would be in a portable classroom with all the teachers, so I was more worried about the sheer amount of flu mist floating around, ykwim? The whole school was vaccinated at one time.

[just_lily]

I would probably skip it. The thing is with adults they generally have the courtesy to cough into their arm and use tissues.... kids will cough right into your face and wipe their nose on their sleeve.

I don't think the risk is huge so if it was important I would still go, but if it isn't detrimental to miss one day I would probably find something else to do instead.