Never Vax'd, but starting Military Life - so conflicted! - Page 2

[OkiMom]

My husband is in the Marine Corps and we are stationed overseas (Japan). We delay vax and only do some of the vaxes not all. We haven't ran into any trouble. You/your child isn't required to have a single vaccination, you aren't the person enlisted/comissioned. The only one they really push over here is Hep B because of a tainted blood supply issue (there were a quite a few cases of people getting Hep B from blood transfusions using banks off of base and you aren't guaranteed to be able to get blood from on base in an emergency). Hep B is the only vaccine our youngest has gotten, our oldest was fully vaccinated until 9 months old and she had a reaction to a vaccine. Then I started researching and decided not to vax until she is older.

[EdnaMarie]

The only one they really push over here is Hep B because of a tainted blood supply issue (there were a quite a few cases of people getting Hep B from blood transfusions using banks off of base and you aren't guaranteed to be able to get blood from on base in an emergency)

Hep B is also endemic in parts of Asia. Lots of people have asymptomatic Hep B from childhood, that doesn't affect them until they're in they're sixties. But it's the same virus and if you get it as an adolescent or adult even from blood or a scratch (which is how it's transmitted among children in Asia, playing in the street etc.) then it's just the same as if you got it from a dirty needle or unprotected sex for you...

[Emmeline II]

If you have an exemption that restricts further vaccination (but get another vax anyway)  that would likely cause an exemption to be rejected; but if you have vaccinated in the past then obtained an exemption, that is different; you don't have to continue vaccinating because you once did. It is also important to note that exemptions are for civilian schools, DODDS, on base childcare, and sometime MWR activities; the military cannot force dependents to vaccinate just for being dependents (I have info on dependent exemptions for school/care and dealing with overseas medical screenings--pm if needed).

Overseas assignments with dependents are primarily Western Europe and Japan, and they have typical vaccine schedules for their populations though generally more choice on whether or not the schedules are followed. Your dh will be vax'd for diseases of particular concern for the area he is going to, but vaxing the CDC schedule now won't be helpful against any non-VADs he may come across. If you are primarily concerned about being overseas, a pp had a good idea in vaxing "on the economy" to stay off the military vax clinic radar.

[sarafi]

I am not going to touch the issue of what shots you should or should not get BUT,

A PP was right, your husband joined the military not you or your child. You are entitled to use a religious exemption for yourself and child and the military cannot force you to comply with CDC standards. One thing they can and have to do is require that you are up to date on any shots that are required by the country you are based in overseas. If a country you are based REQUIRES a shot, you will have the option of getting that shot or staying stateside while your husband serves overseas. Japan has no required shots so if you are stationed here you will be safe. You need to check the laws of the country you will be going to and not take the military's word for it :-)

We used a standard religious exemption. The first time I wrote one it was very wordy--now I write: "I am religiously opposed to some of the shots on the schedule". That leaves me with the option of doing or not doing whatever shots I want--and no one has blinked an eye.

The thing is that when you move overseas you will have to take classes the first week and they will not let you take your baby, unless under six months and nursing. You will also not be able to use the CDC (base daycare) unless you are fully up-to-date on shots or have a waiver prepared and waiting. If you have your waiver you will be able to use the center, and actually get settled and driving in your new country faster than if you have to somehow stagger classes with your husband.

Good luck, overseas life with the military is great fun--but you need to know your rights :-)

[elus0814]

My husband is an Air Force officer. Our four children are not vaxed and it's no problem. I have gotten several guilt trips from on base docs but it's no big deal. It's nice to not have to find a ped that is ok with not vaxing because the base clinic has to see you no matter what their opinion of you is.

[awallrising]

Don't go out & get your child bombarded with vaccines.  Try to figure out which diseases pose the most actually danger (like Polio) and vaccinate for those if you feel you need to vaccinate.  Regardless of PP, Polio is dangerous & can result in paralysis, inhibit lung function, etc.  Not a chance you want to take if there's a chance your child could be exposed.   Can you find a Dr that offers selective vax and ask their advice?    I think the DTaP, MMR, IPV route is a good start if you're going to vax.  Do them as spread out as possible & as many separate as possible.  There are also supplements you can give baby to help their body tolerate the vax.  Plus baby is over 2, the older you start, the better.  Good luck!

[cubbbyaf]

Me and my Husband are active duty militay and we do not vax either of our children.  Just because your husband is joining is no reason to jump up and vax your child.  If you feel you want to for your own reasons that's up to you, but you can go overseas and use base childcare with an exemption, and if you go to any airport or anything you have the  same "out of country germs" floating around, or just going to any walmart for that matter.  The only thing you'll need to pay attention to is shedding, because your husband will have to get everything and anything out there.