Flu Vax This Year- Tiredness?

[Nathan1097]

I just got my 7- and 9-year-olds a flu vax this morning- around 11:30. We went to lunch and by noon or 12:15 on the drive home they were really sleepy. I asked if they thought it was the meal or the warm car or the shot. They both said they thought it was the shot. (Based on how their bodies felt to them.) So I decided against taking them back to school for the 2nd half of the day and they both crawled into bed and are sleeping.

I recall that they were like this as newborns after shots (although my daughter only got one set as a newborn. Otherwise, no reactions to the flu shot before. They said their arms were sore.

I am assuming the soreness and tiredness are from a) having a needle in their arms and b) the vaccine stirring up their immune systems. I felt this way ONCE after a flu shot in about 2000, but never since.

Just want some feedback on if this is a really common reaction to the flu shot. I am pro-vax choice, but a very attentive mom, so I don't need lots of posts about "Never give another flu vax!" (We selectively vax.) I am assuming they will sleep this off and be right as rain tomorrow.

TIA.

[CrazyCatLady]

Yes, the package insert lists tiredness as a side effect. I know other people who have felt tired after a flu shot (or any vax really). Guess there isn't anything else to say since that's all you want to know.

[Nathan1097]

They slept for a bit and are now up and roaring around again- as usual.

[Jennifer3141]

I'm glad your kids are feeling better!

[marilynmama]

I think feeling tired would be a normal response to a vax. I know when I got the flu vax a couple years ago I felt tired and kinda icky for a couple hours and then was fine.

I think also, with kids, it's stressful getting any shot and that alone could make then tired as well ya know?

Glad they are feeling better

[Nathan1097]

Originally Posted by marilynmama

I think feeling tired would be a normal response to a vax. I know when I got the flu vax a couple years ago I felt tired and kinda icky for a couple hours and then was fine.

I think also, with kids, it's stressful getting any shot and that alone could make then tired as well ya know?

Glad they are feeling better

Thanks. Tomorrow, my youngest and I are getting our flu shots. He's just turned 5 last week. At dinner, I overheard the kids talking about their day- the older two telling their little brother about getting shots and that he's going tomorrow to get his. Well he got all upset and said "no I'm not!" Poor guy. I hope that being there and getting mine first will help, but with his older brother at the same age, it didn't. They just don't have the foresight of "This will be over in 10 seconds if I just say 'ow ow ow ow'"- that's what my 7 year old did and my 9 year old didn't even flinch. (Totally different at age 4 though!)