Vaccine refusals fuel measles outbreak

[Bob Juch]

Parents refusing to have their children vaccinated against measles have helped drive cases of the illness to their worst levels in a dozen years in the United States, health officials reported on Thursday.

In 2008 alone, 131 cases of measles have been reported, with 15 serious enough to be hospitalized, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

Most of those infected were not vaccinated and there is no reason for any cases to occur when vaccines can prevent them, the CDC said in a weekly report on death and diseases.

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/ ... 5120080821

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

I just got Emma's 12 year old booster shots.

I can't believe how many more vaccines there are now than when I was a kid.

She finds it funny that I got her vaccinated for Hep A, but not Gardasil. "So you think that I am going to eat poop, but not have casual sex, thanks Mom."

[SportsFan68]

I just got Emma's 12 year old booster shots.

I can't believe how many more vaccines there are now than when I was a kid.

She finds it funny that I got her vaccinated for Hep A, but not Gardasil. "So you think that I am going to eat poop, but not have casual sex, thanks Mom."

Assure her that she would not find it funny to contract hepatitis from eating contaminated shellfish in Hawaii when it could have been avoided with the vaccine.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

She knows that it's wise to get the vaccine.

My hairstylists mother got hepatitis and has been on a wait list for a new kidney and liver for 8 years.

[christie1111]

I just got Emma's 12 year old booster shots.

I can't believe how many more vaccines there are now than when I was a kid.

She finds it funny that I got her vaccinated for Hep A, but not Gardasil. "So you think that I am going to eat poop, but not have casual sex, thanks Mom."

Assure her that she would not find it funny to contract hepatitis from eating contaminated shellfish in Hawaii when it could have been avoided with the vaccine.

Hey!

Couldn't you have picked a different state!

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

How about Alaskan shellfish.

I don't think anyone from the bored lives in Alaska.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

I wonder, out of the 50 states, how many have a bored buddy living in them.

[SportsFan68]

I just got Emma's 12 year old booster shots.

I can't believe how many more vaccines there are now than when I was a kid.

She finds it funny that I got her vaccinated for Hep A, but not Gardasil. "So you think that I am going to eat poop, but not have casual sex, thanks Mom."

Assure her that she would not find it funny to contract hepatitis from eating contaminated shellfish in Hawaii when it could have been avoided with the vaccine.

Hey!

Couldn't you have picked a different state!

Sorry, based on a true story and all that. It really happened to one of SteelersFan's old bosses and his girlfriend.

[earendel]

I wonder, out of the 50 states, how many have a bored buddy living in them.

That sounds like it might be the basis for a separate thread - so what the heck? I'll make it one.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

I started making a poll, but I was told that responses was too many!

[MarleysGh0st]

I just got Emma's 12 year old booster shots.

Why did you get her shots?

[gsabc]

How about Alaskan shellfish.

I don't think anyone from the bored lives in Alaska.

IIRC, Ms. Wellman resided there for a time, but does not currently.

[marrymeflyfree]

I can't believe how many more vaccines there are now than when I was a kid.

The current vaccine schedule is pretty fat, for sure.

We're making up our own schedule for the wee one. Delaying them a bit, declining some, and doing no more than 2 at a time. She's 3 months (and two days!) and hasn't had any vaccines yet. Her pediatrician started to give us the big spiel, but seemed impressed with our reasoning/research and was cool with it after we explained our plan.

She was due for the first big round of them at her appointment 3 days ago, but we chose to wait it out since we're moving in less than a week. No need to add any additional potential stress right now.

I was really surprised when I learned that most babes are given the first Hep B right at birth. It really isn't necessary for most newborns. We declined, but we'll probably do it at some point before she goes to school.

[marrymeflyfree]

Assure her that she would not find it funny to contract hepatitis from eating contaminated shellfish in Hawaii when it could have been avoided with the vaccine.

Hep A can be contracted from contaminated food, but the vaccine for it is not on the official schedule and not routinely given. Most Hep A outbreaks are treated with gamma globulin after infection.

[Ritterskoop]

I can't believe how many more vaccines there are now than when I was a kid.

The current vaccine schedule is pretty fat, for sure.

We're making up our own schedule for the wee one. Delaying them a bit, declining some, and doing no more than 2 at a time. She's 3 months (and two days!) and hasn't had any vaccines yet. Her pediatrician started to give us the big spiel, but seemed impressed with our reasoning/research and was cool with it after we explained our plan.

She was due for the first big round of them at her appointment 3 days ago, but we chose to wait it out since we're moving in less than a week. No need to add any additional potential stress right now.

I was really surprised when I learned that most babes are given the first Hep B right at birth. It really isn't necessary for most newborns. We declined, but we'll probably do it at some point before she goes to school.

This sounds perfect. In due time, but no need to push it until exposure to other kids. That's a while off.

My vet also agrees we do not have to do vaccinations for certain things, since baby boy is a only cat and doesn't go outside. He hasn't had an FIV or leukemia shot in several years (he gets a rabies shot because we have to).

[marrymeflyfree]

In due time, but no need to push it until exposure to other kids. That's a while off.

Exactly. I really don't understand the reasoning behind vaxing for Hep B at birth. It's my understanding that there is risk of transmission during birth if the mother is infected - so why not screen moms prenatally instead? Otherwise, most newborns I have met are not going to prison, getting tattoos, or having unprotected sex. I understand that it's great from a public health viewpoint - but why do it right at birth? Birth is major stressful event for such a small creature...why push the immature little immune system even more for something that's not yet necessary?

My vet also agrees we do not have to do vaccinations for certain things, since baby boy is a only cat and doesn't go outside. He hasn't had an FIV or leukemia shot in several years (he gets a rabies shot because we have to).

Do you ever worry that he may get out accidentally? I agree, though, that it's not necessary if that is not likely to happen.

[Ritterskoop]

Do you ever worry that he may get out accidentally? I agree, though, that it's not necessary if that is not likely to happen.

It's a four-condo building (built as apartments in the 60s; sold as condos in the 80s). We share a foyer, which Dub is desperate to live in, as whoever takes care of him there will not ever take him to the doctor where unspeakable things happen to him.

He makes occasional excursions there, supervised. He rubs his head on every single bar on the railing - about 15 of them - and then we start down the stairs. He purrs and loves on every step, until we reach the bottom, at which point he hunkers down at the thought he would have to go any farther. He hauls his fat ass back up all the stairs and that is all the exercise he gets.

We also have a balcony with that green outdoor carpet on it. He goes out there now and then, supervised, and goes to the neighbor's balcony, which does not have the fake carpet and which has lovely warm concrete on which he can ooch his back.

Then he gets terrified by a bird or a leafblower and comes inside filthy, so we are not much concerned about him getting out. He is too afraid to go far. But he does have a microchip in case he is burgled.

[ulysses5019]

Do you ever worry that he may get out accidentally? I agree, though, that it's not necessary if that is not likely to happen.

It's a four-condo building (built as apartments in the 60s; sold as condos in the 80s). We share a foyer, which Dub is desperate to live in, as whoever takes care of him there will not ever take him to the doctor where unspeakable things happen to him.

He makes occasional excursions there, supervised. He rubs his head on every single bar on the railing - about 15 of them - and then we start down the stairs. He purrs and loves on every step, until we reach the bottom, at which point he hunkers down at the thought he would have to go any farther. He hauls his fat ass back up all the stairs and that is all the exercise he gets.

We also have a balcony with that green outdoor carpet on it. He goes out there now and then, supervised, and goes to the neighbor's balcony, which does not have the fake carpet and which has lovely warm concrete on which he can ooch his back.

Then he gets terrified by a bird or a leafblower and comes inside filthy, so we are not much concerned about him getting out. He is too afraid to go far. But he does have a microchip in case he is burgled.

Cat theft is big in Charlotte?

[Appa23]

I think that I have noted this fact in the past, but my oldest two kids had to repeat nearly all of immunizations from their first 4 months of life, having had them done in South Korea and then repeated (over time) when they came home.

They are our real life rebuttal to the concerns of over-vaccination. (Albeit a small case sample. )

I also know that most parents only want what they think is best for their children from Day 1, continuing through birth until they are out on their own. MMFF is such a person.

[marrymeflyfree]

They are our real life rebuttal to the concerns of over-vaccination. (Albeit a small case sample. )

Well 2 is bigger than 0.

I'm glad your kids did well with them....odds are that Nina would be fine as well if we were doing the schedule down to the letter. I have seen a few cases of bad reactions (and had one as a toddler myself that put me in the hospital), so waiting it out a bit feels right to me for now. I might feel differently if she weren't nursing; at least now she's getting a lot of antibodies from me. She's done some short flights already, but we're aiming to get at least the Hib and PCV going before we take her to Norway in September.

[Ritterskoop]

Cat theft is big in Charlotte?

He would make a decent meal for someone hungry, though he will not fit in a microwave oven.