Confused at the ped office about a shot - Page 2

[Deborah]

One of the ads which is part of this campaign actually has little wording at the bottom which says something like:

"This vaccine may not prevent transmission of pertussis"

I don't remember the exact wording, but it was pretty funny.

[anj_rn]

Actual Vaccines

OK here are an actual list of vaccines (order of disease corresponds to how much of each disease component is in the vax):

DTap - Diptheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis (CDC recommended doses at2,4,6 and 15-18 months, and 4 yrs)

DT - Diptheria & Tetanus - no longer used in US

TDap - Tetanus, Diptheria, and acellular pertussis (CDC recommends dose at age 15, and one time dose fpr those who live or work with small children)

Td - Tetanus & Diptheria - recommended to adults every 10 yrs (usually starting at 25-26 depending on your age when you got the last dose of and tetanus containing vaccine

Tt - Tetanus Toxoids - usually only given after a possible exposure to adults who are unsure of their vaccination status, or who have not had a tetanus containing vaccine in the last 10 years.

[BRmama]

Oh yeah I've seen that campaign and I remembered reading the fine print at the bottom lol.



anj_rn thanks for your post. So the DT is no longer used in the US but the Td is the one recommended every ten years to adults...? Interesting, do you know the difference between them? I'm guessing it has to do with the amounts of diphteria and tetanus in them. Off to find out.

Thank you all again

[nicolebeth]

I think DT is still in use in the US

DT was used in the US as recently as June 2008--DS had it then in lieu of DTaP, which he'd reacted to badly. (He reacted to DT as well, so we're not rushing to do any anymore.)

There are two versions of pediatric DT (this is only for kids under 7)--one washed of mercury, and one full-strength mercury. I would be very surprised if it wasn't used in the US anymore as it's the substitute for DTaP for kids who react to the pertussis portion of the vaccine.

[BRmama]

Originally Posted by nicolebeth

DT was used in the US as recently as June 2008--DS had it then in lieu of DTaP, which he'd reacted to badly. (He reacted to DT as well, so we're not rushing to do any anymore.)

There are two versions of pediatric DT (this is only for kids under 7)--one washed of mercury, and one full-strength mercury. I would be very surprised if it wasn't used in the US anymore as it's the substitute for DTaP for kids who react to the pertussis portion of the vaccine.

Wow, I didn't know that. Sorry to hear that. So did you have to request it, since your son reacted to the DTaP or did the dr. suggest using it since it was milder after your son's reaction? TIA

[nicolebeth]

Originally Posted by BRmama

Wow, I didn't know that. Sorry to hear that. So did you have to request it, since your son reacted to the DTaP or did the dr. suggest using it since it was milder after your son's reaction? TIA

The doctor REALLY wanted him "protected" against tetanus. I didn't do it a year earlier, and then she expressed continued concern. I decided to have his titres run, while his blood was drawn anyway for lead and iron. His titres were actually low (which obviously could mean nothing). Anyway, we went ahead with it--the assumption is that most kids react to the pertussis portion (the five hours of screaming). DS actually received, in our prev. ped's office, two other DTaPs, alone. All was well, we think. The new ped said she would never have continued with DTaP after that reaction. Which freaked us out! Anyway, it turns out, my son reacts whenever there are high amounts of aluminum. And that is what is in the DT. (The DTaP actually has less, I believe.) But, it made DH and I not be huge believers in any shots watching his reaction to the supposedly more mild DT.

[BRmama]

Wow, thanks for sharing! At least now you know what he was reacting to

If I'm not mistaken aluminum is linked to alzheimers. Anyway that's why I fear taking my son in to get it. His ped keeps pressuring me all the time about it, more for me, he says I should have it. As a teenager though I've had a reaction from vaccines (not sure which one since I had the one for tetanus and hep) and had to stay home from school.