Flu Mist, new baby??

[WifeofAnt]

So my DH (military) just got the flumist vaccine today...  (I wish I would get some warning on these types of things!!)  Normally I really don't care.  His body, his choice.  I'm kind of nervous this time though because we have a newborn in the house!!  Why would they seriously give a live virus vaccine to someone they KNOW just had a baby not even two weeks ago???

Do you think it could get our LO sick?  He should be on his way home from work soon but is there anything we can do to reduce the likelihood of it affecting the baby?  I'm exclusively breastfeeding (and I haven't been sick with the flu for a LONG time, even when exposed) so I hope that gives him some protection.

[mattemma04]

I would read the actual insert for the type/brand of flumist your dh got.It will spell out the general time frame for spreading it,and it does spread since it is a live(but weaned) virus.

Your LO should be fine as long as dh isn't sneezing,coughing,or touching his face with his hands.The Flumist virus will spread like any other flu,so take the same precautions you would if dh had the flu. As military I do not think your dh even has a choice as to what vaccines he will get.Wishing all of you good health!!!!

The spreading of a vaccine via secondary exposure was considered a positive benefit.It was stated as such in the oral polio vaccine insert.By vaccinating one person you can vaccinate the family via secondary exposure.It is not considered bad,because vaccines are considered safe and in some countries newborns get live virus vaccines.

Don't be too hard on dh.He has a hard job,and really I think(from what I have read) the military *owns* his body,so I think it is his body THEIR choice.

Again healthy vibes from you guys!

[nia82]

Flumist has the potential of shedding and it's mind blowing that the military keeps giving it to new parents or parents of immunocompromised children. They caught DH off-guard with it when DS was 4 weeks old. DH got really sick from it, so did his squadron... He moved into the guest bedroom for 4 weeks, wiped all common surfaces down a lot and covered his sneeze (wiping down door knobs and such with Lysol wipes). After he stopped sneezing, he was allowed contact with us again, but we avoided close contact or breathing on DS and stuff like that.

Since 2009 we make sure he gets the flu shot instead of mist, the military does accept that, but you have to pay out of pocket. We organized the single dose mercury free one at the local health department for $20. They don't catch him off-guard at our new base, they email the squadron to go to the med clinic to get the Flumist next week, so he goes off-base instead to get it. And he's on PRP and it still works out just fine. No more Flumist in our house ever again!