babysitter vax question

[mommasquiggles]

We have been interviewing babysitters and found one we really like. So here is my question. She works in a daycare full time during the day (in the summer, she is a college student). She would watch him one evening a week and the occasional weekend. My ds has been selectively vaxed. How concerned should I be about her transmitting something from the daycare to him? If she is fully vaxed am I good to go and can stop worrying? Thanks! I appreciate any input!

[PoppyMama]

It wouldn't be a vax question for me but if my dc wasn't having to be exposed to daycare germs I would be happy and not hire a babysitter who would bring all those home to us not because I would fear for the child's life but because constant illness is annoying and yucky.

[ammiga]

If your dc is around other people and kids, he is being exposed to most of that stuff anyway. Babysitters you love are hard to find! I would stick with her and stop worrying. Most babysitters are around other kids (unless you have a full-time nanny), so they are all being exposed to childhood illnesses.

I'm not entirely sure what her vax status has to do with it... she might be immune naturally to diseases, she might be vaxed but still contagious (pertussis), and she might never get exposed to other stuff. Plus, in my experience, most of the stuff that kids catch in daycare isn't a VAD. It's just some general colds, runny noses, etc.

You can't control everyone your child comes into contact with, so the best you can do is keep your child's immune system as strong as you can, know he will get sick, and know he will get better.

I guess something you might want to think about is why you only selectively vax your child, but feel more secure with a babysitter that is fully vaxed. What made you decide to vax or not vax for certain illnesses, and what causes you to feel better if someone else is vaxed?

[Turquesa]

Which vaccines has your DS received? It will depend largely on that. I really wouldn't worry about her bringing polio into your home, for example.

[phathui5]

The things he'd be exposed to aren't likely vaccine preventable anyway. A lot of the germs that go around daycares are stomach viruses and colds. If you're uncomfortable, I would just ask her to wash her hands when she arrives.

[zinemama]

Wouldn't even cross my mind to worry about that.

[heathergirl67]

Originally Posted by ammiga

I guess something you might want to think about is why you only selectively vax your child, but feel more secure with a babysitter that is fully vaxed. What made you decide to vax or not vax for certain illnesses, and what causes you to feel better if someone else is vaxed?

I was wondering the same thing.

[blessedwithboys]

Originally Posted by zinemama

Wouldn't even cross my mind to worry about that.

ditto, for so many reasons