Joules Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 Since this is the time of year and it's being discussed, I'm curious on experiences with the Hepatitis A vaccine before ds goes to the doctor for the pre-college exam and meningitis vaccine. It's not on the normal list but there is a possibility (maybe slight) that ds might get a chance to visit India in the next year. Hep A is on the routine vaccine list there and is endemic in some areas. Since the schedule is two shots six months apart, I'm tempted to suggest that he get the first just in case, but then I'm concerned about multiple shots at the same time and, of course, don't really want to suggest he get unnecessary ones. So, have you or your kids had this vaccination? And would you go ahead, or wait until travel plans are confirmed? (Ds is 18, so I'm just looking at advice for him in discussion with the doctor. It's not my decision to make.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 Yes it's given to little kids routinely now. They had it along with other shots at the same time without a problem. I'd just get it over with. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 Yeah, I'd get it started now with possible international travel coming up. It really is pretty routine in many places and it's not a big deal to get the shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 My kids have both had the hepatitis A shot. They were fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 My 3 boys have had it. It's a pretty non-virulent vaccine. Along with the doctor, we decided my daughter could skip it. She wasn't in an age group where it was required (nor was my oldest son) and she tends to react mildly to violently with every single shot she gets. Even polio caused a reaction in her and it's just not one to generally cause a reaction. So because of her history we decided to not bother. The boys, however, with no history of reaction, seemed like they may as well get it. When I was a nursing student there was an outbreak of Hep A from two restaurants (it was traced to one cook who worked at both). I had a patient in the ER one night who was so yellow/orange by the time he came in, it was scary. I've never forgotten how that man looked. Hep A is treatable (pretty easily) and I'm sure he made a full recovery (though long term problems are possible), but he was a sick man when he came into the ER and it was all because he ate at a restaurant where a cook was infected and it's worth it IMO to avoid all that if there is nothing that may make the shot dangerous for the person getting it (benefits vs. risk). 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ailaena Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 I had to get it when I worked in a hospital and eventually decided to vaccinate dd because, well, there are instances where other people prepare our food. Also, she traveled quite a bit internationally, and although hep A is totally treatable, it would be a hassle to be hospitalized in a foreign country. i only mention this because there are some routine vaccinations she did not receive, but hep a was was one we actually went with. And as far as I can tell, Hep A is not currently a required vaccination in this state. At least, it's not on the baby's list of routine vaccs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gypsymama Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 If you are planning travel I would get it. You can always spread the shots out if multiple shots at one time are a concern. We spread the shots out. You can check the CDC website for the recommended schedule plus the "catch up" schedule. That will give you a better idea of what is recommended and how to proceed. A lot of selective/delayed vaxxers use the catch up schedule as a guideline to what to get and when. Also talk to his doctor(s) about the vaccines and your concerns to see what his/her opinion is. Personally we look to multiple care providers for opinions and vaccines were one of the many concerns we took into consideration when choosing practitioners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 My kids have the vaccinations for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Both are common in Asia. My dad is a hepatitis B carrier and can't be immunized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 We lived in New Mexico where it was endemic. We got the shots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 If you ever eat in a restaurant, I'd get the HepA vaccine. All of us have had it. My kids that are prone to vaccine reactions pre-treated with zyrtec. They had no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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