how long until the flu vaccine kicks in?

[bleedingheart]

we are visiting my relatives for thanksgiving and we got a call that they have been having a flu outbreak...

My kids have yet to get their vaccines but I plan on taking them Monday...

Will a week and a half be enough time for it to kick in?

My kids have asthma and a bout with respiratory flu can land them in the hospital under an oxygen tent....

[soothsayer]

1. good luck, they're using a live vaccine for some reason

I don't trust it (but I really don't trust much)

[Don_G]

2. However Long It Takes

For the body to manufacture antibodies. You might want to ask around to see if other people have had the shot; the vaccine may give them a mild case of the flu depending on the strain and the manufacturing process.

[bleedingheart]

3. both have gotten them since they were babies

never had a problem... I am just concerned that they get the antibody protection in time.

[Don_G]

7. Some Vaccinations

Use a killed strain to trick the body into manufacturing antibodies, others use a live strain to introduce a mild case of the flu to achieve the same result.

If they have asthma, then I would ask around locally to see if anyone has gotten the flu from the shots and make your decision from there.

Getting the flu is like drawing to an inside straight - unpredictable.

[Ilsa]

4. It usually takes 2 weeks for the shot vaccine to become effective.

But who knows, you might get some protection sooner. Ask the doctor or nurse if the shot or if the Flumist becomes effective sooner, and if you and your family is "eligible". Flumist is the live vax sprayed in the nose, but I believe there are both upper and lower age limits (no one under 5 or over 59?, no other immune problems, etc).

You might also consider getting the expensive script for Tamiflu, which you take as soon as the symptoms become to appear. It is highly effective in knocking out most of the flu bug before it takes full effect, but it is expensive. My copay for Tamiflu was $25.

[trotsky]

8. I have also heard 2 weeks.

I'm guessing that's an upper limit - you'll probably be fine with just a week and a half. The good news is that health authorities have confirmed, the strain that's causing the flu this year is in the shot.

[Nay]

5. My doc said a couple of weeks. . .

so hurry on in ASAP. Aren't there any pharmacies sponsoring shots nearby where you can line up and pay $10?

[bleedingheart]

6. I am thinking of doing that with my daughter tomorrow but

my son has been having asthma problems and has been taking drugs for it...sometimes we have to wait for him to be clear in order to get a flu vaccine....

If they are really ill up there I am not sure I want to spend thanksgiving with them...

[dofus]

9. Are the relatives the ones who are sick?

Or is there an outbreak of flu in their end of the swamp?

How long does someone with flu remain contagious? That might be the biggest factor. If they're all coming down with it now won't they be over it by Thanksgiving, nearly two weeks from now?

After all, if you normally get flu shots, all will be copacetic.