Bloodwork shows I am not immune to mumps

[tylerdylan]

Ok. So, I started a new job working in a hospital where it is mandatory you are immunized against many things including mumps. However, because I live in Canada I can sign a waiver stating I am aware of my non-immunity to mumps and do NOT wish to be vaccinated.
My kids are not vaccinated and I am thinking that if they don't catch natural immunity in childhood that I would encourage them to get the vaccines at some point since many childhood diseases can be so serious if you get them as an adult.
So, my question is do I sign the waiver or get the vaccine?
The stupid thing is that in 2001 when I started with a different hospital my titres showed I was immune to measles and mumps, but not to Rubella. I was strongly encouraged to get the Rubella vaccine due to the risk it poses to unborn children and I was planning on getting pregnant in the next few years after that. So, I got re-vaccinated for MMR (yes,the trio because I was told they don't exist individually which I now know is not true) and now I am immune to Rubella and Measles, but not Mumps. Gee, these vaccines sure work great don't they?? In less than 7 years my immunity to Mumps has worn off already? If I keep switching hospitals to work at how many times am I going to have to get re-vaccinated for the same thing?


Just curious what you non-kid vaccinators would do for yourself??

[Marnica]

I would not get any vaccine for myself. Getting some of these things as an adult may be worse than when you are a child, but it doesn't mean if you do you will get complications that are life threatening. A healthy person otherwise can make it through measles mumps or rubella as an adult just fine. I would concentrate on boosting my immune system and living a toxic free life. that of your best protection against disease.

As for your immunity, vaccine induced immunity often wanes after a few years and some people never actaully show any antibodies to a disease after vaccination. It is well documented in the medical literature that in many cases antigen specific antibody titers do not correlate with protection. Many who have been vaccinated get the disease anyway and people that never develop antibodies don't get sick. just my 2 cents

[Arduinna]

I'd sign the waiver.

[OakBerry]

I'd probably sign the waiver too.

I am a R.N. and have had 4 negative titers to varicella (chickenpox), despite growing up in a family of 10 kids. My brother had chicken pox when he was 18 and I was 16. He was sick for 3 weeks and even had them down his throat.
I never got them then, and worked in nursing homes and hospitals for 10 years without getting chickenpox or shingles. Of course, my mom can't remember if I had it or not as a child. I think I had immunity, but my antibody levels were too low to detect on the titer.

I am immunocompromised now, from chemo, so I'm not so confident about it now.
I did not vaccinate ds for varicella, I got out of it because of the possibility he'd shed virus while I am immunocompromised. I don't plan on ever giving to him though.

[tylerdylan]

Thanks. I told them I'd come in and sign the waiver and then wondered if that was the best decision for me, so thought I'd just ask you all. My DS is immunocompromised too from chemo and I'd hate to bring him home anything, but the chances of me being exposed to the mumps even in the hospital without knowing are still pretty slim I would think.
Thanks for the advice.