2010 Pertussis outbreak - Page 3

[rabrog]

My mom is a nurse at a hospital in N.D. She said they've had 3 confirmed cases of WC and are now forcing the vax on everyone who works in the hospital. She's just telling them she's up to date.

I'll just say, too, that even if the vax is gven to kids under a year (or at anytime, really) I've read things here at MDC and heard elsewhere that this is possibly the single most useless vaccine there is. If that's true (and the numbers tend to support it - in many outbreaks, the number of cases in vax'd people far outnumbers the cases in non-vax'd), it wouldn't matter that the babes didn't have the vax, just that being so young they are/were more susceptible.

Jenn

[Deborah]

I wouldn't call the vaccine totally useless for babies, because in some babies it can reduce the severity of the symptoms. On the other hand, the vaccine has considerable risks. Even in the improved form (see improved in quotes) it is one of the more reactive vaccines.

Finally, there is the not so tiny problem of "original antigenic sin". Do some searches on this term and, if you can find it, read the article by Cherry.

I think the vaccine is a mistake. Certainly, blaming outbreaks on the unvaccinated is simply propaganda because the vaccine doesn't prevent carriage or transmission. Some vaccines do. This one doesn't.

[dakotablue]

Originally Posted by mom0810

If you have pertussis then you would know to stay away from any such children/babies, though, right? I mean, if you take responsibility for your health then you know if you are sick that you have to stay away from babies and children with fragile immune systems, no?

No, that is not always the case I had a HUGE blow up with my MIL when ds was 3 weeks old and she came over with 'just a cough' coughing on him. she said oh I had a cold and feel better I just can't kick this cough... I explained what that could mean and she denied it up and down saying other people had it too. So no when it comes to children people don't think about how their own health is always.

btw ds didn't get sick Praise God and MIL had cough for another month, which also means she was sick when she came to the hospital I just didn't know it.

Some people just lack common sense.

[amnesiac]

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[rabrog]

Deborah, what I mean by "useless" is it the vax with the highest "get the disease anyway" numbers (at least that I've ever seen). That's why I believe it's the least effective vaccine given and not worth getting.

I've often wondered if the disease has mutated and that is why the vax is so ineffective, but rather than put money into a new vax, they just say "you need a booster shot" because it's cheaper...?

In the OPer's case, there's no way I'd get any vaccines, though esp. not the WC. There's not enough of a proven track record for it to outweigh the risks to her.

Jenn

[Deborah]

It may have mutated, but I've seen high failure numbers from this vaccine going back to the 1950s. I think it was always a crap vaccine and depended on two things to make it look better:

misdiagnosis and the general drop in whooping cough deaths in infants due to improved living conditions and medical care.

Still, the vaccine MAY have reduced the severity of the illness in some infants. Whether it was effective enough to justify all the horrendous reactions and illness from the vaccine is doubtful, in my opinion.

[MountainMamaGC]

Originally Posted by SpottedFoxx

Thank you for this response. It makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately, those are in our everyday life and our children come in contact with them without use realizing it. Did you know that a large percentage of liquid makeup (foundation primarily) has formaldehyde. A great number of anti-perspirates have aluminum. We're damned if we do and we're damned if we don't.

A lot of us know these things and choose to by better quality products or choose to forgo them altogether. I dont wear antiperspirant ever, and I dont use make up except for a bit of mascara. My shampoos and conditioners are free of endocrine disrupters and other nasty chemicals. I dont believe we are damned at all.

Its about learning and making better choices for your family.

[SilverMoon010]

Originally Posted by Lydiah

A lot of us know these things and choose to by better quality products or choose to forgo them altogether. I dont wear antiperspirant ever, and I dont use make up except for a bit of mascara. My shampoos and conditioners are free of endocrine disrupters and other nasty chemicals. I dont believe we are damned at all.

Its about learning and making better choices for your family.

I agree. Those whose choose to really research vaccines and what's in them are likely to research what's in the food they're eating, make-up they're using, etc. It's all about reading the label. If there is formaldehyde or aluminum in the products or food you are going to buy then plain and simple, don't buy it! Simple as that. I buy all organic food (and shampoo) for my son because it's most important to me what he is putting into his body. And after seeing the documentary Food, Inc., it just reinforces the idea that organic is the only way to go these days IMO.

[ProudMarineWife]

Can you please tell me where all you ladies find all this information on this vaccines and others in general?
Right now we are not vaxing (DS is 9 weeks) but after googling I have NO idea what information is legitimate or not.

I live in CA and Ill be the first to admit that this outbreak has scared me. DS already had surgery at 4 days old so he was pumped with a ton of drugs already and the idea of injecting that crap into him so young disgusts me. I had NO idea the vax is only effective half the time.
Where can i read about that?

Thank you!

[Deborah]

There are a lot of resources. If time permits, check your public library to see if they have any books on vaccination. There is one by Aviva Jill Romm which is quite good.

Sounds as though your DS survived the surgery in good order. How is he doing now, at 9 weeks?

[cocoanib]

Originally Posted by ProudMarineWife

Can you please tell me where all you ladies find all this information on this vaccines and others in general?
Right now we are not vaxing (DS is 9 weeks) but after googling I have NO idea what information is legitimate or not.

I live in CA and Ill be the first to admit that this outbreak has scared me. DS already had surgery at 4 days old so he was pumped with a ton of drugs already and the idea of injecting that crap into him so young disgusts me. I had NO idea the vax is only effective half the time.
Where can i read about that?

Thank you!

I'm in cali too and we don't vax. DD is 3.5 months now.
Dr. Sears vax book is a great place to start. It helped me make my decision a ton. It's gives both sides of the story and leads you to making your own informed decisions.

[ProudMarineWife]

Hes doing perfect. You'd never guess anything (serious) was wrong with him. His surgeon said we got very lucky because most babies with his condition are there for months and he was only there for 13 days. Hes definatley our miracle baby.

[Deborah]

Well congratulations! You are a very good mama.