Can a parent give vaccines to their children themselves?

[emma1325]

Just curious. I've never heard of this of course, but I know that in some situations parents can administer injections of certain meds at home.

Is it legal? Allowed?

Thanks.

[angie7]

I've never heard of this for vaccines.

[SoCaliMommy]

I don't think so and why would you want to ?

[LaLaLaLa]

Moms I know who are nurses have sometimes brought flu shots home for their kids. In fact, I believe my neighbor who was a nurse once gave my brother a flu shot in our kitchen when he couldn't find the time to get to his doctor's office, where she worked.

[spero]

An acquaintance who is an Army medic and a civilian paramedic administers flu shots to his whole family.

[Deborah]

I had a friend who was a doctor. She told me that she gave her son his vaccines at home.

The interesting part? She skipped the pertussis because she thought it was too dangerous. But she did administer it to other babies, according to the usual schedule. This is the only mainstream doctor I've met who admitted to altering the schedule to protect their own baby.

We knew each other as friends, not in a medical setting. She wasn't a practicing physician any longer.

[emma1325]

Originally Posted by Deborah

I had a friend who was a doctor. She told me that she gave her son his vaccines at home.

The interesting part? She skipped the pertussis because she thought it was too dangerous. But she did administer it to other babies, according to the usual schedule. This is the only mainstream doctor I've met who admitted to altering the schedule to protect their own baby.

We knew each other as friends, not in a medical setting. She wasn't a practicing physician any longer.

I've heard of doctors who don't vax their kids at all, but will give them to other children. Morally reprehensible, IMO.

Do you know if a parent must be a doctor in order to administer vaxes? Can parents order the vaxes straight from the pharma companies?

I don't think I'd ever go through with a sneaky plan like this, but I like to be aware of all my options.

[Deborah]

No idea. I've injected myself with homeopathic stuff prescribed by an alternative doctor. I've even injected friends once or twice.

A friend who is a nurse has helped people out with minor injection routines, but I don't think it involved vaccinations. Perhaps insulin?

Interesting question!

[Paceman]

I am not sure you would want to without having an anaphylactic shock kit near by.

[amnesiac]

Originally Posted by emma1325

I've heard of doctors who don't vax their kids at all, but will give them to other children. Morally reprehensible, IMO.

Do you know if a parent must be a doctor in order to administer vaxes? Can parents order the vaxes straight from the pharma companies?

I don't think I'd ever go through with a sneaky plan like this, but I like to be aware of all my options.

Those of us who have the ability to do it would do so under a doctor's order if we weren't one ourselves. The general public cannot order direct from the manufacturer.

[katiesk]

hmmm...i gave my dog vaccines once. well, my mom did. but i bought them at the feed store and brought them home to do myself.

i don't think i would feel any better about vaccinating my baby though, just because i was doing it!

[spero]

Originally Posted by emma1325

I've heard of doctors who don't vax their kids at all, but will give them to other children. Morally reprehensible, IMO.

I disagree. Aren't we always going on here about "parental choice"? It's no more a doctor's place to deny vaccines than it is to insist on them.

[ammiga]

Originally Posted by spero

I disagree. Aren't we always going on here about "parental choice"? It's no more a doctor's place to deny vaccines than it is to insist on them.

I think if the doctor is up-front about their feelings, it's up to the parents to decide. I think it would be morally reprehensible for them to recommend a schedule they feel is unsafe. I think it is fine if they are honest about it.

Although, if the doctor took an oath to "do no harm", and they feel the treatment is dangerous, maybe they should refuse.

[Evergreen]

I would say it is probably very possible. I want to get a pediatric Td vaccine for my six year old who has already had pertussis. The doc's office said they'd write a prescription for it and I'd have to pick it up from the pharmacy. I could bring it to them for administration. I am sure that I could just as easily purchase the needle and administer it at home.

[emma1325]

Originally Posted by katiesk

hmmm...i gave my dog vaccines once. well, my mom did. but i bought them at the feed store and brought them home to do myself.

i don't think i would feel any better about vaccinating my baby though, just because i was doing it!

I wouldn't either...just wondering if it were possible.

[spero]

Originally Posted by Evergreen

I am sure that I could just as easily purchase the needle and administer it at home.

In my state you cannot buy syringes without a presciption.

[mysticmomma]

I have.

ETA bought syringes w/o an RX.

[mkmoro311]

Originally Posted by Deborah

No idea. I've injected myself with homeopathic stuff prescribed by an alternative doctor. I've even injected friends once or twice.

A friend who is a nurse has helped people out with minor injection routines, but I don't think it involved vaccinations. Perhaps insulin?

Interesting question!

I never knew you could inject Homeopathics! Tell me more!

[emma1325]

Originally Posted by spero

I disagree. Aren't we always going on here about "parental choice"? It's no more a doctor's place to deny vaccines than it is to insist on them.

If a doctor believes it's harmful, then it shouldn't matter if parents ask for it...that doctor shouldn't offer it. It's dishonest of a doctor to offer something that he/she feels is unsafe...it implies to the parent that he/she believes it's safe. I would hope my trusted doctor would not give my child something that he believed to be dangerous, even if I asked for it. At the very least, I hope doctors who do not vax their own children will let parents know this instead of keeping it a secret.

Now turning this around on myself here...I think a doctor has the right and obligation to let a parent know if he/she believes non-vaccination to be unsafe (while at the same time, I would hope he would be open to thoroughly and continuously researching the concerns that parents have regarding vaccines.)

I don't, however, feel that a doctor should discontinue treating a child on the sole basis of vaccination status.

[MissRubyandKen]

All medicines come with risks, therefore they could all be considered dangerous.