Your comments: Swine flu jab

Pregnant women have already been given the jab

Children under the age of five are to be the next in line to get the swine flu vaccine, the government has announced. The immunisation programme will be extended to children aged from six months up to five years.

Here parents discuss whether they will take their children for the vaccination.

I have two under fives and they will definitely be having the jab as soon as it's available. I've done lots of research and as far as I'm concerned, the benefits outweigh the risk.
Lily

I have just had my swine flu jab as I am pregnant with my fifth baby, but I would have been taking it anyway as a healthcare worker. I have absolutely no reservations in taking this vaccine and would definitely encourage other mums-to-be to think carefully before dismissing the vaccine. I have two children who fall within the next at risk group, I will get them vaccinated as soon as they are called. I also have two children who fall just outside the age group and would like to have them vaccinated as well.
Fiona Tweedlie, Eaglesham

I'm a parent of a two year old, I have no problem in giving my son the vaccine. I think that it is better to have some protection than none at all. Scaremongering serves no purpose.
Chris Knight, Neath

My 16 month old daughter took part in the trial vaccination programme

We were sent a letter for our 16 month old daughter to be part of the trial vaccination programme and we decided to go ahead. She has been absolutely fine. She had a temperature six days after the first jab but this was cleared up with paracetamol. I would like to say to any parents worried about any side effects, don't listen to the media hype and read up on the official publications before making your decision.
Hazel Bennett, Southampton

Finally! I'll definitely get my two year old immunised. I wish I could also get the inoculation for the rest of the family.
Leena, Croydon

I am a parent of a two year old and am also six and a half months pregnant. I currently have swine flu and I can honestly say I have never been so ill; it has not been a mild illness. I am pleased that the vaccine is going to be offered to young children. It has been a very real fear of mine this week that my son will catch swine flu from me. I think that we will probably let our son have the vaccine.
Mrs Wilson, Bristol

As a pregnant mother of a two year old, the swine flu vaccine has been of great interest to me! I've just been offered the vaccine and am likely to have it, although I have just over two weeks until my due date. Dependent on my reaction, my husband and I will decide what to do should our 2 year old be offered the vaccine. My principle concern is the lack of balanced information available about the vaccine. All the government information stresses the need, almost obligation to have it. Meanwhile the media constantly highlight the low take-up, the potential problems, etc. It has left me feeling very confused about the whole situation!
Julia Hutchinson, Welwyn

I shall not let my child have the vaccine, as many GPs and friends of GPs have told me not to - it is not safe and not tested enough. I don't trust the government enough to let them put an untested vaccine in my child.
Fiona Townsend, Southport

I will definitely not be getting my four year old vaccinated. Safe? No side effects? If there is no reaction within a very short space of time, a vaccine is considered safe. What about the long-term effects of injecting our children with poisonous chemicals and other agents? I do not believe that in the long-term we are doing more harm than good to ourselves and our children.
Susan, Bath

I'm very scared about this vaccine there are lots of rumours that it hasn't be tested properly and people have been having negative effects afterwards. I'm still waiting for reassurance! At the end of the day if this flu kills like normal flu why should we have to vaccinate?
Tiziana, Bedford

I'm sorry but there is really no need to vaccinate healthy children under five. Mine won't be going under that unnecessary needle. The government can keep its scare stories to itself.
John Maidens, Great Malvern

It's a tough decision to make as a parent. If I don't let my child have it and my child becomes ill, I would never forgive myself but then if I do let my child have it and my child has a reaction to the drug and becomes ill, I would never forgive myself!
Tammy Moran, Newport

We have a six month old baby girl and are very torn whether we should allow her to have the vaccination. Although health experts say that the vaccination is safe, there is no historical data to prove this.
Claire Pimlett, Daventry, Northants

My concern at 33 weeks pregnant is why they are extending to children starting at 6 months old. If it's OK for me and my I child, why not a two week old baby? Why wait until they are six months old? More inconsistency with the messages for mothers-to-be.
Katie Rock, Warminster, Wiltshire

My four year old daughter received the vaccine two weeks ago. A few days later my seven year old son was diagnosed with H1N1. He has been very sick for the last ten days with high fever, croup attacks, extreme fatigue, stomach pains and now a nasty cough. After seven days with no improvement the doctor gave him Tamiflu and he is now improving. Meanwhile my vaccinated daughter has had a mild cough and no other symptoms. After the fear and anxiety we have experienced this week, I truly wish that he had also been eligible for the vaccine.
Yvonne Leonard, Vancouver, Canada

When balancing all the over panic about swine flu, it's a shame the same money and effort hasn't gone into AIDS and HIV or some of the other less "political" diseases. An extra death in Africa doesn't get UK votes.
Frank Chamberlain, Plymouth

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