Are you selective with whom your unvaxed kids socialize?

[swissmom]

I was asked by a mom if I keep my unvaxed DS away from newborns and babies who haven't received their full series of shots yet. This mom was particularly afraid of HiB. I normally know my arguments against the "Your kid puts my newborn at risk" accusation (like vaccine X or Y doesn't prevent transmission), but with HiB I was at a loss. Do you keep your kids away from newborns?

[laohaire]

Honestly, I tend to stay away from newborns anyway, and would keep my child away in most cases (obviously if the newborn was my own that would be different, and possibly with a VERY VERY close friend's or sister's - but I don't have either a sister or close friend). That doesn't have anything to do with my child's vaccination status, though.

I do NOT keep my child away from other kids in any way shape or form, except I would not want my child near another child who recently had flumist, or who actually had the flu. Also I guess if I knew someone had pertussis I'd stay away though I don't worry about it otherwise. Similarly, if DD had the flu or pertussis, I'd keep her at home. None of it having to do with her vaccination status either way, though.

[MountainMamaGC]

I would tell her that breastfeeding protects against HiB well into childhood and not to worry as my child is breastfed. There are studies that show the protection from HiB lasts for years from breastfeeding. Unless my kid is sick I am not keeping her away from anybody. If you dont like it then stay away from us.

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by Lydiah

I would tell her that breastfeeding protects against HiB well into childhood and not to worry as my child is breastfed. There are studies that show the protection from HiB lasts for years from breastfeeding. Unless my kid is sick I am not keeping her away from anybody. If you dont like it then stay away from us.

yeah to that.

Stating the unvaxed kids should stay away from anyone is assuming that they are ill...if they are healthy with no sxs of anything then why the need to stay away??

Newborns should be cautiously exposed to everyone not just unvaxed children.

[SunshineJ]

Huh? It's not like unvaxxed kids are some kind of infested creatures oozing various VPD's! And it's not like a newborn is going to be carrying the germs of a VPD any more than the other hundreds of people my kids run into every day. I really and totally don't get this whole train of thought. Now with certain circumstances, such as if a child's just received a vaccine or if I know my child has been ill with a VPD, then sure I keep them away. But in every day life? That makes no sense to me.

[swissmom]

Originally Posted by Lydiah

I would tell her that breastfeeding protects against HiB well into childhood and not to worry as my child is breastfed. There are studies that show the protection from HiB lasts for years from breastfeeding.

Granted. So let's assume a mother is not able to breastfeed. In theory, wouldn't a HiB-unvaxed child be a greater risk to a newborn than a vaxed one?

[SunshineJ]

Originally Posted by swissmom

Granted. So let's assume a mother is not able to breastfeed. In theory, wouldn't a HiB-unvaxed child be a greater risk to a newborn than a vaxed one?

Assuming the child does not actually have the disease, why would they be a risk?

[rabrog]

Isn't HiB transferred through fecal matter? So vax or non-vax isn't the issue but general cleanliness?

Jenn

[MountainMamaGC]

Also, when I had a newborn, nobody touched her unless I let them. If I didnt want someones kid touching my child I would not let them or I would at least tell them to wash their hands first. If they appeared to be ill, ie runny nose then I would not let them touch my newborn, period. I wouldnt even have the guts to ask someone if their child's vaccines were up to date because its none of my buisiness.

[swissmom]

Originally Posted by rabrog

Isn't HiB transferred through fecal matter? So vax or non-vax isn't the issue but general cleanliness?

Primary mode of transmission is - presumably - by respiratory droplet spread. Vaccine proponents say that there is good evidence that Hib vaccines decrease the rate of carriage of Hib among vaccinated children, therefore decreasing the chance that unvaccinated children will be exposed.

So - in the case of HiB: it seems that my unvaxed child is a risk for babies... Or not? This is the first time I feel kind of anti-social :-(

[peainthepod]

Originally Posted by swissmom

So - in the case of HiB: it seems that my unvaxed child is a risk for babies... Or not? This is the first time I feel kind of anti-social :-(

Is your child currently ill?

[swissmom]

Originally Posted by peainthepod

Is your child currently ill?

No, fit as a fiddle, but I realize that I don't know enough about HiB. Could DS be a carrier and contagious before getting ill?

[peainthepod]

Originally Posted by swissmom

No, fit as a fiddle, but I realize that I don't know enough about HiB. Could DS be a carrier and contagious before getting ill?

Hmm, I'm not sure--I bet someone else here will know the answer to that. It might be possible but given that you live in NYC (as did I until about a month ago), your healthy child is probably the least of a newborn's immunity worries.

I understand your very noble desire to keep your child from infecting another, but not vaccinating doesn't mean living like a hermit. Look at it this way: how many adults do you know who are fully vaccinated on the CDC's child schedule? Shouldn't the newborn babe be kept away from all adults who haven't had the full series and every needed booster? After all, they could be asymptomatic and contagious, right?

When you look at it like that, it becomes a little clearer that sequestering your son away because he's vaccine-free is totally unnecessary. Keep him home when he's sick, of course, but I really don't think you need to worry.

[MountainMamaGC]

Also vaccines are not 100% effective. So letting vaccinated kids around your newborn is risky too. I mean with how unlikey a healthy unvaccinated child is to be carrying the disease anyway its down to splitting hairs anyway.

[Luckyinlife]

huh?

If she believes that vaccinations are 'protecting' her baby from diseases then why does she care if your kid or any kid really has a disease or not?? Why even vax if you don't believe they work

[alegna]

Nope. Our playgroup seems to always have a newborn these days and if their mamas feel like bringing them out, they bring them out

-Angela

[PGTlatte]

I don't isolate our children from anyone unless there are symptoms of illness. Then that goes both ways - I keep my kids isolated if they have symptoms, and I always try to avoid having them around people who seem to be sick.

Regarding babies, I don't let our kids breathe (or cough) in their faces.

HIB is spread through mucus and droplets.

Swissmom, if you are not allowing your healthy child to breathe or cough into a baby's face, and keeping your own child isolated when ill, I would not worry about him carrying HIB to a baby.

[Jugs]

Plus how many adults were vaxed for hib?

[alegna]

Originally Posted by Jugs

Plus how many adults were vaxed for hib?

:

We weren't vaxed for Hib and never worried about it...

-Angela

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by swissmom

No, fit as a fiddle, but I realize that I don't know enough about HiB. Could DS be a carrier and contagious before getting ill?

Most people are carriers adults included because HIB bacteria is fairly common and lives in the nose and throat of most people at some point in their lives...the problem is when the bacteria becomes invasive.