going to Mexico...

[thatblondegirl]

and my son hasn't been vaxed past 6mths. my husband is nervous about taking him. he thinks we should get him done before we go.

are his fears warranted at all? my gut tells me no, but i don't have any info to go on! just my instinct. are there any "VPDs" going around down there that we should worry about?

[runes]

What diseases is he afraid of? That's kind of a strange attitude to have about foreign countries, to be honest. To assume that it's disease ridden enough to want to "catch up" your child before going, as if vaccines work 100% of the time. It sounds like your husband needs to do some more research, with all due respect.

Anecdotally, we took unvaxed DD to Mexico and we had a blast. She did get sick one night we were there, a fever, a bit of diarrhea and she slept a lot the next day, but that was it. I had no access to a thermometer so I'm guessing it was a moderate fever, we kept her cool and hydrated and dosed her with vitamin c (never leave home without it) and snuggled a lot in the hotel room. Who knows what it was, just some random virus.

The standard travel precautions apply. Depending upon where you are going in Mexico, just be mindful of your food and water sources.

[Super Glue Mommy]

his opinion is operating on the assumption that vaccines work? first step if to decide how true you think that is.

subsequently, look at the diseases and for each one determine - what is more likely? reaction to vaccine, or catching the disease, and having such a bad reaction that is worse then the possible bad reaction the vaccine could have caused.

[Yulia_R]

If we had money to go to Mexico (or any other nice tropical beach for that matter) I'd be there in a blink and the last thing on my mind would be vaccines and VPDs LOL.

[kiara7]

Doesn't Mexico have a higher vax rate than US? 98%?

I wouldn't worry about nothing, but the supply of tequila, lol.

[Turquesa]

If it helps put things into perspective, here is a database of the occurrence of VPDs in Mexico.

And here is a record of how many people are vaccinated in Mexico.

Your biggest health worries in Mexico have nothing to do with VPDs. Consume water only from trusted (non-tap) sources, be careful of fruits and veggies washed in it, avoid the water-based popsicles, and pack plenty of probiotics. All of these are common-sense precautions. Have a wonderful trip!

[Drummer's Wife]

We've been to Mexico, both walking around Tijuana and a week long resort stay in Nuevo Vallera. Vaccinating my children never crossed my mind. I agree that the thing to fear is the water. Don't drink it!! Stick with bottled, including to brush your teeth. Even at our swanky 5-stay hotel, I felt better with the fridge filled w/bottled water. Even so, every single one of us ended up with some sort of tummy bug. Fear the food (at least a little bit) and the water. Neither of which have anything to do with vaccinating.

[thatblondegirl]

thank you very much for your help!!