First US Measles Death Since 2003

[ssavings]

 

 

 

deleted

[poppy]

I agree that that is ideal... but having had a child that suffered a vaccine reaction, I can say that it's just hard for me to get in that frame of mind... it's hard for me to think "I need to vaccinate her despite her reactions, because it's better for the rest of the population."

 

 

 

Even the state with the most strict vaccine requirements gives a medical exemption.

[Greta]

May we humans never go back to the way it used to be.

Amen. My grandmother is 99 years old - old enough to have known people who died from diseases now prevented with vaccines, old enough to have watched one of her children suffer terribly (though, thankfully survive!) a disease now prevented with vaccines. She is absolutely baffled by the anti-vax movement.

 

On the other side of my family, I have an older cousin who has polio because of vaccine refusal.

 

I confess, there was a time when the anti-vax movement had me going with that whole mercury argument. I am grateful that my daughter had already had her vaccines before I got sucked into that. I've come full circle, and I'm back to being very pro-vax!

[brehon]

My uncle had polio as a child (pre-vaccine) and, although he recovered, his health has always been a bit fragile. He is also currently suffering from post-polio syndrome.

 

Slightly OT - I heard a report on my public news station that doctors in the Galveston area have been treating people who have contracted a specific strain (endemic or murine)of typhus(!). ID researchers at UTMB & animal control in Galveston have discovered that 2/3 of the opossum population in the area are infected with this particlar strain. This is a bit unusual because murine typhus is usually found in cooler climes than Galveston.

[Arcadia]

... it's hard for me to think "I need to vaccinate her despite her reactions, because it's better for the rest of the population."

 

 

The doctor should write a medical exemption for her.

 

My vaccination is more than required as I used to volunteer regularly at the hospital's children's wards. Minimizing the possibility of carrying a contagious disease helps eventhough nothing is foolproof.

My kids are vaccinated for hepatitis. The doctor thought my request unusual until he realize my extended family is in Asia. My oldest has the BCG shot as a baby. Did not mess up his TB tests.

 

My family has a history of penicillin allergy. My doctors were careful about prescribing penicillin just by my family medical history. I happen to be allergic to penicillin as well but milder than my mom and aunt.

[creekland]

I agree that that is ideal... but having had a child that suffered a vaccine reaction, I can say that it's just hard for me to get in that frame of mind... it's hard for me to think "I need to vaccinate her despite her reactions, because it's better for the rest of the population."

 

 

 

I guess I look at it like I look at airplane travel vs car travel.  Some fear flying even though statistically, the odds are higher that they will be in a car accident on the way to/from the airport rather than on the airplane.

 

Yet every now and then, an airplane crashes and kills/hurts some.  (Far more often cars crash and kill/hurt some.)

 

"Figures from the National Center for Health Statistics suggest that the lifetime odds of dying in a plane crash are about 1 in 20,000. Those same figures put the chances of dying in a car accident about 1 in 100."

 

http://www.latimes.com/la-oe-daum18aug18-column.html

 

If we KNOW there are mechanical problems with the airplane, there's no reason to take it up in the air.  This would be akin to those with genuine medical issues or genetics alluding to such.  If it's decided to try it, one would need to be super careful, but for them, the car is safer even in rush hour or 2am (the drunk hour) traffic.  States know this and allow medical exemptions.

 

For all the rest of us where there is no reason at all to suspect a mechanical problem, the odds truly favor air travel/vaccine protection.  Those suggesting otherwise are just plain wrong.

[TranquilMind]

I guess I look at it like I look at airplane travel vs car travel.  Some fear flying even though statistically, the odds are higher that they will be in a car accident on the way to/from the airport rather than on the airplane.

 

Yet every now and then, an airplane crashes and kills/hurts some.  (Far more often cars crash and kill/hurt some.)

 

"Figures from the National Center for Health Statistics suggest that the lifetime odds of dying in a plane crash are about 1 in 20,000. Those same figures put the chances of dying in a car accident about 1 in 100."

 

http://www.latimes.com/la-oe-daum18aug18-column.html

 

If we KNOW there are mechanical problems with the airplane, there's no reason to take it up in the air.  This would be akin to those with genuine medical issues or genetics alluding to such.  If it's decided to try it, one would need to be super careful, but for them, the car is safer even in rush hour or 2am (the drunk hour) traffic.  States know this and allow medical exemptions.

 

For all the rest of us where there is no reason at all to suspect a mechanical problem, the odds truly favor air travel/vaccine protection.  Those suggesting otherwise are just plain wrong.

Sure, you can get that medical exemption...IF your kid is on chemo or had a transplant!  Otherwise, even if that "plane ride" will kill you, they will tell you to get on and shut up. 

[Butter]

There will ALWAYS be pockets of any disease that just randomly pop up, even in a 100% vaccinated population. 

No.  They do not randomly pop up.  100% vaccinated does not mean 100% immune.  Some fully vaccinated people will not gain immunity or their immunity will wane over time.  If a non-immune person is exposed to someone with that disease, they may get it, however, if they are living in a 100% vaccinated location, they are unlikely to find the other random person who is also not immune.  In fact, living in the hypothetical 100% vaccinated population, they are unlikely in the first place to run into a person with the disease.  This is the point of herd immunity.  In every outbreak of vaccine preventable diseases most of the people who get sick are unvaccinated.

 

I agree that that is ideal... but having had a child that suffered a vaccine reaction, I can say that it's just hard for me to get in that frame of mind... it's hard for me to think "I need to vaccinate her despite her reactions, because it's better for the rest of the population."

This is why there are medical exemptions and why herd immunity is a good thing (to protect the child who can't get vaccinated).  If a doctor says they need to be on chemo or whatever for the exemption, find another doctor.  My kids go to a *very* pro-vaccine pediatric practice.  In fact, the official policy is they won't see you if you are not fully vaccinated.  However, one of my kids is not fully vaccinated AND he has a medical exemption from that practice for why he is not vaccinated against varicella.  The other three kids have had chicken pox.  I was pregnant with the youngest.  When my other kids got it, my husband and I got chicken pox for the third time each because we both happen to be people who can't get immune and since it's both of us our kids are unlikely to be immune today even though they had chicken pox.  The doctors decided we got chicken pox that time from a recently vaccinated kid with a subclinical infection.  This mean vaccinating my youngest against varicella would, at best, do nothing and, at worst and more likely, infect us all with chicken pox.

[mom31257]

I see so much emphasis on the vaccination of children, but doesn't the "herd" mean everyone? Couldn't some of the problem with herd immunity be in adults who only had the one vaccine or were never vaccinated? Why is all the blame being put on the parents who question putting 30+ shots in their kids' bodies by age 6, instead of on every single citizen? 

 

 

[ChocolateReignRemix]

I see so much emphasis on the vaccination of children, but doesn't the "herd" mean everyone? Couldn't some of the problem with herd immunity be in adults who only had the one vaccine or were never vaccinated? Why is all the blame being put on the parents who question putting 30+ shots in their kids' bodies by age 6, instead of on every single citizen? 

 

The concern is if vaccination rates fall below a certain % then we effectively lose herd immunity.

 

[Joker]

Sure, you can get that medical exemption...IF your kid is on chemo or had a transplant!  Otherwise, even if that "plane ride" will kill you, they will tell you to get on and shut up. 

 

I have a dd that hasn't had chemo or a transplant but does have a medical exemption for a vaccine. She is allowed in public school with it as well. She had a bad reaction and every doctor since has written a note when needed because they refuse to give her the vaccine (across several different states). It's not just the worst cases that get medical exemptions and it's not okay to spread that misinformation around. Every one should talk with their own doctors about it.

[justasque]

I have a dd that hasn't had chemo or a transplant but does have a medical exemption for a vaccine. She is allowed in public school with it as well. She had a bad reaction and every doctor since has written a note when needed because they refuse to give her the vaccine (across several different states). It's not just the worst cases that get medical exemptions and it's not okay to spread that misinformation around. Every one should talk with their own doctors about it.

 

This has also been our experience, with a fairly mild reaction but one that nonetheless fit the "who should not get the next in the series" guidelines.  

[poppy]

I see so much emphasis on the vaccination of children, but doesn't the "herd" mean everyone? Couldn't some of the problem with herd immunity be in adults who only had the one vaccine or were never vaccinated? Why is all the blame being put on the parents who question putting 30+ shots in their kids' bodies by age 6, instead of on every single citizen? 

 

There will always be  people who can't get vaccines, like people with compromised immune systems, so it's important for those who can to do so.

 

I also think it's ridiculous to assert that parents who vaccinate are ones who don't "question putting 30+ shots in their kids' bodies".  Obviously there are blind followers on both sides of the debate.  But most parents make thoughtful choices.  I certainly had a lot of questions. I read articles, I read books (yes, even Dr. Sears), I talked to other parents, I discussed it with my husband. I made an educated decision-the same one most people with the same data make.

[creekland]

Sure, you can get that medical exemption...IF your kid is on chemo or had a transplant!  Otherwise, even if that "plane ride" will kill you, they will tell you to get on and shut up. 

 

I seriously don't believe this is true in general.  One might find an exception somewhere, of course, but if so, it would definitely be worth a second or third opinion.

 

And if all those other opinions agree that it shouldn't be an issue, I'd be listening to their reasons why as it could be possible my reasoning was incorrect.  I would assume they see far more than I do.

[creekland]

I see so much emphasis on the vaccination of children, but doesn't the "herd" mean everyone? Couldn't some of the problem with herd immunity be in adults who only had the one vaccine or were never vaccinated? Why is all the blame being put on the parents who question putting 30+ shots in their kids' bodies by age 6, instead of on every single citizen? 

 

Plenty of medical offices, urgent care clinics, and pharmacies around here are definitely advocating adults getting boosters - and are even mentioning ways to do it for free if cost is an issue.

 

I agree it should be the herd - plus - if adults get some of these diseases, it can hit them worse.

[wendyroo]

I see so much emphasis on the vaccination of children, but doesn't the "herd" mean everyone? Couldn't some of the problem with herd immunity be in adults who only had the one vaccine or were never vaccinated? Why is all the blame being put on the parents who question putting 30+ shots in their kids' bodies by age 6, instead of on every single citizen? 

 

I do see an emphasis on adults getting boosters.  There is a widespread adult pertussis vaccination campaign in my area with billboards and magazine ads; my doctor has strongly encouraged I get a Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy.  When my parents go in for their annual physicals, their doctors often recommend boosters.  In the last 10ish years they have gotten vaccinated (or re-vaccinated) for Tdap, MMR, Varicella, Hep B and probably others that they never mentioned.

 

Wendy

[TechWife]

My husband was exposed to measles earlier this year. At that time we both had our titers checked. I am immune and my husband needed a booster. They will recheck his titer (I don't remember the timing of that, though) and determine if he needs another booster. BTW, the after-the-fact immunization would not have kept my husband from getting the measles from his exposure because we didn't find out about it within that small window. Now, though, he'll be in better shape moving forward. It is important because my husband travels internationally. 

[KarenNC]

I see so much emphasis on the vaccination of children, but doesn't the "herd" mean everyone? Couldn't some of the problem with herd immunity be in adults who only had the one vaccine or were never vaccinated? Why is all the blame being put on the parents who question putting 30+ shots in their kids' bodies by age 6, instead of on every single citizen?

I'm not sure when they began recommending adult boosters for MMR, but I got one between 22 and 27 years ago (when I was working with babies with developmental disabilities), so it was at least that long.

[ssavings]

 

 

 

 

deleted.

[Butter]

I forgot my oldest son also had a medical exemption the year he was in public school.  The schools say he should have one more DTaP shot than he's had.  His doctor (remember, very, very pro-vaccine) disagreed.  She said it would not be safe to give him another shot before a certain length of time has passed (it has passed now and I do need to get him in to get that shot).  She wrote a medical exemption for that shot (all the while complaining that schools try to dictate how doctors treat their students lol).  There are many reasons for a medical exemption.

[mom31257]

I do see an emphasis on adults getting boosters.  There is a widespread adult pertussis vaccination campaign in my area with billboards and magazine ads; my doctor has strongly encouraged I get a Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy.  When my parents go in for their annual physicals, their doctors often recommend boosters.  In the last 10ish years they have gotten vaccinated (or re-vaccinated) for Tdap, MMR, Varicella, Hep B and probably others that they never mentioned.

 

Wendy

 

Yes, but I don't see laws being put in place to require it. Why require it of school children if you aren't requiring it of everyone? I just think it seems illogical. I'm not for requiring vaccinations, but if you are going to require it, at least be consistent. 

[PinkyandtheBrains.]

Yes, but I don't see laws being put in place to require it. Why require it of school children if you aren't requiring it of everyone? I just think it seems illogical. I'm not for requiring vaccinations, but if you are going to require it, at least be consistent.

A variety of work environments do require vaccines.

[poppy]

Yes, but I don't see laws being put in place to require it. Why require it of school children if you aren't requiring it of everyone? I just think it seems illogical. I'm not for requiring vaccinations, but if you are going to require it, at least be consistent. 

 

Kids are at most at risk of communicable diseases, plus kids in schools mix with the population which raises the public health risk ... totally logical.  Adults in health care, who have similar risks, are also required to be vaccinated by their employers.    Again: logical.

[mom31257]

A variety of work environments do require vaccines.

But is that going to account for 90+% of adults?

[PinkyandtheBrains.]

But is that going to account for 90+% of adults?

90% of adults are unvaccinated??

[Miss Peregrine]

90% of adults are unvaccinated??

I believe she is saying that they don't have boosters. I bet most adults don't get them. I haven't.

[poppy]

Well, no one is required to get a vaccine.  Kids are required to get one for school, or get an exemption.  For blindingly obvious public health reasons. I can't think of a time that adults would be required to get a booster before they could do _________  for public health reasons.

 

 

[creekland]

But is that going to account for 90+% of adults?

 

I did a quick google search specifically for measles and came up with this:

 

"Americans who received one dose of measles vaccine have about a 90 percent protection against the virus"

 

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/have-you-had-your-measles-shot-maybe-you-need-another-n290786

 

but it is still recommended that those who only had one dose instead of two ought to consider getting a booster.  This, of course, does not mean 90% of the population is immune, but many, many did get shots when they were young.  We were lined up in school for our shots.  I don't recall anyone not getting them.

 

Then there are the other boosters that are recommended too - whooping cough, etc.  My mom can give you an excellent reason to get a booster.  She dealt with WC for 6 - 8 weeks and it wasn't fun.

 

Personally, I've seen a greater increase on informing the adult population about boosters being needed in the past 2 - 3 years.

 

I'm also in agreement that those in certain professions should have them required unless they have medical exemptions.

[Miss Peregrine]

Well, no one is required to get a vaccine.  Kids are required to get one for school, or get an exemption.  For blindingly obvious public health reasons. I can't think of a time that adults would be required to get a booster before they could do _________  for public health reasons.

Do you think unboostered, no-longer-immune adults have any part to play in the resurgence/spread of disease? 

[Catwoman]

Well, no one is required to get a vaccine. Kids are required to get one for school, or get an exemption. For blindingly obvious public health reasons. I can't think of a time that adults would be required to get a booster before they could do _________ for public health reasons.

I wouldn't want to be required to get vaccines, but it is definitely an interesting point, because I have read on this forum (in past vaccination threads) that there are people here who won't allow their kids to play with unvaccinated children because they are afraid those kids could pass on a disease to their family... yet as far as I know, no one ever asks if the parents have been vaccinated.

 

Something to think about...

[creekland]

Do you think unboostered, no-longer-immune adults have any part to play in the resurgence/spread of disease? 

 

I'm not sure sure with measles.  Google would probably have the answer.

 

With whooping cough I feel fairly certain adults without boosters play a part in it.  My mom is rarely around kids - perhaps in a grocery store maybe.  She goes to casinos often and other adult travels (in groups).  I'm guessing she got it from an adult.

 

If folks would get Tdap boosters once every 10 years it would definitely benefit all.  It's a regular for us due to the T part (tetanus).  We live on a farm and play outdoors.  There's no other reason needed.  The P part (whooping cough - pertussis) is merely a good bonus.

[Miss Peregrine]

I'm not sure sure with measles.  Google would probably have the answer.

 

With whooping cough I feel fairly certain adults without boosters play a part in it.  My mom is rarely around kids - perhaps in a grocery store maybe.  She goes to casinos often and other adult travels (in groups).  I'm guessing she got it from an adult.

 

If folks would get Tdap boosters once every 10 years it would definitely benefit all.  It's a regular for us due to the T part (tetanus).  We live on a farm and play outdoors.  There's no other reason needed.  The P part (whooping cough - pertussis) is merely a good bonus.

Dh and I both got whooping cough in our thirties at the same time unvaxed (at the time) dd got it at three. Who knows how many people we spread it to? Until we got it, I never even though about immunity wearing off. I don't think most adult are willing to get boostered.

[TechWife]

People who work in hospitals and other health care environments have to be up to date on their vaccines or provide proof of immunity. A lot of adults don't need boosters because their immunity from their childhood vaccines is still in play. They can either get the booster anyway or they can have a blood test done to see if they need the booster. Should they not need the booster, the blood test results will serve as proof of immunity. 

 

[creekland]

Dh and I both got whooping cough in our thirties at the same time unvaxed (at the time) dd got it at three. Who knows how many people we spread it to? Until we got it, I never even though about immunity wearing off. I don't think most adult are willing to get boostered.

 

I'm not really sure immunity wearing off was well-known until relatively recently.  Current generations are the first one to have gotten shots.  People my grandparents age lived (and died) with the diseases.  I've yet to meet any of that generation who is anti-vax.

 

Adults do tend to be set in their ways, so many will likely be resistant to boosters - all health people can do is try to educate.  Those who refuse to accept the findings/knowledge will be those who return us to the darker times my grandparents lived with if the education attempts are unsuccessful.  Humans as a species survived those times, but many individuals either did not or had effects that followed them for way too long.

 

I'm hopeful we, as a society, do not return to those times, but I can envision it happening if too many people get their conclusions from disregarding the facts.

 

As was stated on the first page.  Facts matter.

[Miss Peregrine]

People who work in hospitals and other health care environments have to be up to date on their vaccines or provide proof of immunity. A lot of adults don't need boosters because their immunity from their childhood vaccines is still in play. They can either get the booster anyway or they can have a blood test done to see if they need the booster. Should they not need the booster, the blood test results will serve as proof of immunity. 

Of course.  But do they? I'm willing to bet most do not do that, including the loudest voices supporting required vaxes for school. 

 

My Dh is one that is required to get them at work. They do them there.

[Jane in NC]

About those boosters..

 

Back in the '90's, those of us residing on the Carolina coast were hit by a series of hurricanes. In the days and weeks that followed, there was a rash of ER incidents occurring when people were doing clean up or just walking on the beach (and being barefoot would step on something hidden in sand). Many of these injuries resulted in the ER giving tetanus boosters.

 

At that time our insurance company sent us a letter asking us to check the date of our latest booster.  I needed one. But since that time I have stayed on top of it.

 

 

[Miss Peregrine]

I'm not really sure immunity wearing off was well-known until relatively recently.  Current generations are the first one to have gotten shots.  People my grandparents age lived (and died) with the diseases.  I've yet to meet any of that generation who is anti-vax.

 

 

I just remembered: When I was getting married 22 years ago, we had to have a blood test. That showed that I was no longer immune/ had to get a booster for MMR before I could get married. Now blood tests are no longer required.

[creekland]

About those boosters..

 

Back in the '90's, those of us residing on the Carolina coast were hit by a series of hurricanes. In the days and weeks that followed, there was a rash of ER incidents occurring when people were doing clean up or just walking on the beach (and being barefoot would step on something hidden in sand). Many of these injuries resulted in the ER giving tetanus boosters.

 

At that time our insurance company sent us a letter asking us to check the date of our latest booster.  I needed one. But since that time I have stayed on top of it.

 

I'm pretty sure tetanus needing a booster has been known for a while.  I'm unsure about whooping cough and measles or any other.

 

I've been getting tetanus boosters my whole life (as needed).  It's always been common knowledge to me that if one lives/plays outdoors, it's really essential.  A doctor who lived next door in my teen years told me about it when he gave me the first outside of school booster.  I was "fortunate" enough to have stepped on a nail - not the most pleasant of experiences.  My shot wasn't out of date, but it was more than 5 years old, so he said it was good extra protection - just in case.  I wasn't going to argue.  Tetanus is nasty.

[creekland]

I just remembered: When I was getting married 22 years ago, we had to have a blood test. That showed that I was no longer immune/ had to get a booster for MMR before I could get married. Now blood tests are no longer required.

 

Interesting that it was a requirement to get married!  I'd have never guessed.  I never paid much attention to what any of those blood tests were for - mainly because it didn't concern me.

 

No blood tests needed 27 years ago when I got married in VA.

[Miss Peregrine]

It could have been a suggestion, I don't remember. Maybe someone else in CA will remember. I did have it done.

[Jane in NC]

I'm pretty sure tetanus needing a booster has been known for a while.  I'm unsure about whooping cough and measles or any other.

 

I've been getting tetanus boosters my whole life (as needed).  It's always been common knowledge to me that if one lives/plays outdoors, it's really essential.  A doctor who lived next door in my teen years told me about it when he gave me the first outside of school booster.  I was "fortunate" enough to have stepped on a nail - not the most pleasant of experiences.  My shot wasn't out of date, but it was more than 5 years old, so he said it was good extra protection - just in case.  I wasn't going to argue.  Tetanus is nasty.

 

Oh I know that the need for a tetanus booster has been known!  But whether people actually follow through in getting their boosters is another issue.

 

And that was the case in my area where it was found many in the community were not following through with boosters.

 

Because of the resurgence in whooping cough, I think that there has been a renewed emphasis on the need to stay on top of immunizations.

 

[creekland]

But whether people actually follow through in getting their boosters is another issue.

 

 

Many adults are needle shy :glare:  and don't realize it can still be a great excuse to treat themselves to ice cream afterward.   :drool5:

 

Needles have never bothered me for some reason.  I recall getting shots for school when I was 4 and the nurse remarking to my mom that she was surprised I didn't cry.  At that time I was wondering why anyone would cry.  I was talented enough to hurt myself far worse in my outdoor playtime.  By 8 or 9 years of age - and falling off a pony + getting dragged across a paved road scraping up quite a bit - my mom just rolled her eyes and sent me to the bathroom to do all the "fixing" myself.  I didn't have to ask how or where the materials were.  

 

Needles rarely register as a blip on my pain meter - except if they go for a vein and hit a nerve.  That was memorable shall we say.  But that's also not at all an issue with vax.

[Greta]

I wouldn't want to be required to get vaccines, but it is definitely an interesting point, because I have read on this forum (in past vaccination threads) that there are people here who won't allow their kids to play with unvaccinated children because they are afraid those kids could pass on a disease to their family... yet as far as I know, no one ever asks if the parents have been vaccinated.

 

Something to think about...

I think that part of what's going on there is that the people who are having children now were themselves vaccinated (for the most part) because the anti-vax movement didn't exist in any significant way when we were kids, and our parents knew enough about the diseases that they were eager to have us vaccinated. But now we have a generation that grew up without understanding the devastating effects of those diseases, and thus the anti-vax movement was born. So for the most part (general trend here, not universal truth) the parents have been vaccinated, but the kids are more likely not to have been.

 

The issue of whether or not adults need boster shots is of course another matter entirely. I'm just saying I think that's the impression that people have (adults have been vaccinated, children might not have been). And that impression, whether accurate or not, informs the way they approach this.

[SeaConquest]

I received a DTaP booster with the birth of each child, and my husband, my parents, and his parents were all boostered as well. It's pretty common now to cocoon the baby with boostered caregivers until first shots.

[frogger]

I don't have anything against needles but I forgot last time to request a booster from my doctor. I need to though. It would help if doctors reminded adults but it seems to be off their radar. I've never had a doctor even mention vaccines to me as an adult not once. I know I'm responsible for myself so I shouldn't shift the blame but it's probably easier to get it in the doctors thought process (whose focus is medicine) than the entire populations.

[TranquilMind]

I see so much emphasis on the vaccination of children, but doesn't the "herd" mean everyone? Couldn't some of the problem with herd immunity be in adults who only had the one vaccine or were never vaccinated? Why is all the blame being put on the parents who question putting 30+ shots in their kids' bodies by age 6, instead of on every single citizen? 

Are the adults making people sick?  Not seeing it.  Most adults are immune because we were exposed in childhood, whether or not we actually got measles. 

 

But this line of thinking is undoubtedly where we are going and should concern everyone. 

[TranquilMind]

I received a DTaP booster with the birth of each child, and my husband, my parents, and his parents were all boostered as well. It's pretty common now to cocoon the baby with boostered caregivers until first shots.

I've read about this.  New moms demanding no one come near their babies unless they go get unnecessary vaccines and submit evidence thereof, probably notarized and signed by a doctor (exaggerating only a little)

 

This is crazy to me.  I can't imagine forcing my even- then elderly relatives to go get shots or I would refuse to let them to see my babies.  They weren't ill, and if they were, they had enough sense to stay away.  My infants were fine. 

 

But I've read about some of this in recent years and it is mind-boggling to me. 

 

One mom of ten I know came to church the day after her baby was born, with the new infant of course.  She just walked by and thrust him into my arms when she had to go do something.  Kid has an amazing immune system, by the way.  (I sure didn't feel like going anywhere the day after I gave birth,so the very fact that she showed up was impressive to me). 

[TranquilMind]

Many adults are needle shy :glare:  and don't realize it can still be a great excuse to treat themselves to ice cream afterward.   :drool5:

 

Needles have never bothered me for some reason.  I recall getting shots for school when I was 4 and the nurse remarking to my mom that she was surprised I didn't cry.  At that time I was wondering why anyone would cry.  I was talented enough to hurt myself far worse in my outdoor playtime.  By 8 or 9 years of age - and falling off a pony + getting dragged across a paved road scraping up quite a bit - my mom just rolled her eyes and sent me to the bathroom to do all the "fixing" myself.  I didn't have to ask how or where the materials were.  

 

Needles rarely register as a blip on my pain meter - except if they go for a vein and hit a nerve.  That was memorable shall we say.  But that's also not at all an issue with vax.

It isn't really about the pain, for most needle-averse people I know.  It's a mental freak out thing.  White coat syndrome and all that. 

 

[TranquilMind]

Oh I know that the need for a tetanus booster has been known!  But whether people actually follow through in getting their boosters is another issue.

 

And that was the case in my area where it was found many in the community were not following through with boosters.

 

Because of the resurgence in whooping cough, I think that there has been a renewed emphasis on the need to stay on top of immunizations.

 

In 2010 case in California, mostly only the vaccinated (92% vaccinated) were getting whooping cough and spreading it around on a wide scale.  That high number of unvaccinated kids that worry everyone so much in California were just fine.

 

The study, led by infectious disease specialist Dr. David Witt, was initiated after an unusually large number of whooping cough cases were admitted to Kaiser Permanente Hospital in San Rafael, California in 2010.

 

After examining the records of juvenile whooping cough patients over an 8-month period, the doctors discovered that 81 percent of patients had received the full series of whooping cough shots, and 11 percent had received only some of the shots. The remaining 8 percent had not received any immunizations for whooping cough.

 

"What was very surprising was the majority of cases were in fully vaccinated children," Witt said.

 

[TranquilMind]

Interesting that it was a requirement to get married!  I'd have never guessed.  I never paid much attention to what any of those blood tests were for - mainly because it didn't concern me.

 

No blood tests needed 27 years ago when I got married in VA.

I only had to prove immunity to rubella.