Gamom3 Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 IMO, it's worth getting this one right before a student heads off to college (or any kind of dorm life, so would be a good idea for residential high school also). My dd is 17yo and I do intend her to get this vaccine before college. I don't believe in over-immunizing and am against giving infants multiple immunizations in one shot. I prefer children to be older than recommended when getting vaccinations, and prefer giving only one immunization at a time even though it means more shots. We have held off on Gardisil, as I am wary of that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bev in B'ville Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Definitely worth the vaccine, in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CookieMonster Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Is the meningitis vaccine one of the mandatory ones? Is it the one for older children? I whole-heartedly vaccinate my children, and myself. But, my children are still young. Is this the vaccine they recommend for older students living in close quarters? If it is, I've often wondered myself at the necessity of it. Are my kids going to live the crazy dorm life? If they're not, do I really need to worry about this? Can I just educate them about how to protect themselves (handwashing, what not to share with others, wearing flip-flops in group showers) or is education not enough? Are they even going to be in a dorm with shared showers and otherwise really close quarters? I don't have any answers, just commiseration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 If it is, I've often wondered myself at the necessity of it. Are my kids going to live the crazy dorm life? If they're not, do I really need to worry about this? Can I just educate them about how to protect themselves (handwashing, what not to share with others, wearing flip-flops in group showers) or is education not enough? Are they even going to be in a dorm with shared showers and otherwise really close quarters? I don't have any answers, just commiseration. I do not vaccinate on schedule and I don't do all of them. BUT this one is one my kids will get before going to college. While it is rare, meningitis of this type kills many people who do get it. It is spread by people living in close quarters. It doesn't really matter what type of lifestyle they are living (partying, etc). JMHO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamom3 Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 I am with you on the Gardisil..I don't know what it is about that one. I dreamt once that it was to sterilze girls...I am sure it was from a movie we watched and then seeing the commercial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmgconner Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Like Bev, I had meningitis. A week in the hospital and an entire time of my life is missing from my memory because of the drugs. I'd like for my children to get it before going off to college, even though I got it after I had graduated and was teaching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 It's still to new for me to let my kids get it. However, I believe it is encouraged for kids living in dorms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristyB in TN Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 My teenagers have been immunized for it. They are athletes and are at the pool 6 days a week, year round. I don't want to take any chances on this one and we seem to fit the profile of people who get meningitis. I don't have a big opinion on vaccines and there are people who do much more research than I do and their opinion is, of course, more valuable than mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bev in B'ville Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 I do not vaccinate on schedule and I don't do all of them. BUT this one is one my kids will get before going to college. While it is rare, meningitis of this type kills many people who do get it. It is spread by people living in close quarters. It doesn't really matter what type of lifestyle they are living (partying, etc). JMHO! I was in college, but married and commuting to college. I was a senior in college, getting ready to graduate, not partying or going to parties of any kind at the time. I still got it, and like the other poster, was hospitalized on major drugs and had part of my memory stolen from me. People die from meningitis every year. It's extremely painful. I can't even describe the pain, I was delirious with fever (>104). Labor and delivery is nothing compared to this pain. I wouldn't wish it on my children or anyone else's. Get the vaccine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 People die from meningitis every year. It's extremely painful. I can't even describe the pain' date=' I was delirious with fever (>104). Labor and delivery is nothing compared to this pain. I wouldn't wish it on my children or anyone else's. .[/quote'] My brother had it when he was quite young (in his early 20s). He suffered with post traumatic stress disorder for years afterward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 My brother had it when he was quite young (in his early 20s). He suffered with post traumatic stress disorder for years afterward. I have a friend whose daughter lost both legs to it:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 for my teens. If I had a baby, this is probably the one (possibly only) vaccine I would give. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 She is STILL recovering, doesn't feel as "sharp" as she used to, and her grades have tanked. My oldest ds got the shot before high school (I just don't homeschool high school, me bad:rolleyes: ) - it is not something with which to mess around. We don't know how long-term life-affecting niece's bout will turn out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdeno Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 for my children but after reading the other posts..wow. I got it because my son had horrible earaches and the ped said that it helps with ear infections....................... Kari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 for my children but after reading the other posts..wow. I got it because my son had horrible earaches and the ped said that it helps with ear infections....................... Kari Why do you regret it? Is there one for younger kids? I seem to remember a newer vaccine that was supposed to help with ear infections and meningitis in younger kids. That one was too new when my boys were smaller. I thought we were discussing the one that kids get before they leave for college? Or is that the one you mean too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdeno Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 It was the pnumococcal men vacc I got for my son. I always feel horrible when we go in for vaccs. I have read all the books and info against so I am unsure of my decision to go ahead on a modified schedule. I pray during each shot. Kari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serendipity Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Our son entered 9th grade public school this year. We asked the ped to give him this vaccination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ria Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 My feeling on vaccines is this: people will vaccinate their kids according to the risks they perceive if they don't vaccinate. For example, I know lots of families who have not vaccinated for polio and MMR. Why? Well, the risk of their kids getting these viruses is very low...because, and only because, most other people they will come into contact within the US have been vaccinated, which significantly reduces the chance of exposure to the virus. If, however, polio started running rampant in the US, you'd probably see an increase in the number of kids getting vaccinated for it. In short, when the threat becomes real, many parents will do whatever it takes to protect their children. Meningitis outbreaks are a bit of a mystery (why and when they occur is speculative), and lots of people haven't been vaxed for it. No one knows when, where, or why it will strike, and it can be deadly quickly. Even if I was against vaccinations, I'd look long and hard at the nature and outbreak incidence of this virus and the complications/dangers should a child/young adult contract it before I ruled out the vaccination. On a personal note, we had our twins vaccinated for this before they left for college. Ria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Back in late May she stayed home from school with a killer headache. My SIL was on the phone chatting with her mom and mentioned this, and the fact that her dd also had a fever and now her neck was stiff. My MIL IMMEDIATELY told her to get off the phone and take the girl to the ER!!! Niece was airlifted from the local hospital to the nearest children's hospital in Chicago. She was in a few days, at least. Missed the end of school, pretty much felt tired, wan and crappy all summer, and this school year has not gone well at all. She can tell that she is still not 100% what she was before, physically or mentally. As a high school jr., this will impact her SAT/ACTs, grades, college, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracey in TX Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 My kiddos will get the menigitis vaccine before heading off to university. Need to remind our former exchange student to get it also (she just began school last month in USA). Not worth the risk... Gardasil, on the other hand, seems problematic IHMO. At least for the 6th grade ages recommended in Texas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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