Considering Tetanus vax for 6 year old-help needed

[nataliachick7]

I appreciate any info anyone can give me. I have a 6 year old who i stopped vaccinating at around 6-9 months. He had a very scary reaction to the dtap, which he had 2 doses of. (the reaction was most likely to the P component, says the doc)

Now, I am a single mom, and he is in grandparents care a lot while i work and go to school. He is outdoors a lot, and just joined cub scouts. I have worries about proper wound care. Like driving myself crazy, worries.

If I were to get the tetanus vax, I would NOT want the dtap. I believe there is a TD available?, or what about just a T for a 6 year old? And would my ped have access to it or be able to order this vaccine for me? Also, at this point how many doses would he need to be fully protected from T?

I am asking you all, because most doctors and nurses are not willing to help me out when it comes to answers to these types of questions. Thank you!

[Turquesa]

I'm unable to cut and paste, but both DT amd TD are still both available. DT is administered before age 7, and TD for ages 7 and up. Your child will need 3 doses and then, if s/he so chooses, boosters every 10 years. Do a web search for the CDC catch-up schedule for all of this information.

It will depend on your state laws, but sometimes pharmacists can administer this vaccine at places like Walgreens (a chain in my area).. Walgreen does stock TD and DT, so you can see if similar pharmacies do. I know that they can't do it for infants, but you'll have to call to get the minimum age. I thought I'd mention it in case you wanted to avoid the expense, rigmarole, and possible harassment involved in doctor visits. Since you can get it without the pertussis component at drug stores, there's no reason your doc couldn't at least order it for you, if you'd rather do it at a clinic.

Also, call me paranoid, but I've twice experienced an "oops" at the doctors office---ie "You mean we weren't suppose to give you that one?"--and I hear similar tales of this on MDC. I don't think that this necessarily happens out of nefarious motives. But with most Americans being CDC-compliant with their children's vaccines, it's probably easy for nurses to administer them on habitual auto-pilot. So whether it's the doc or pharmacist, don't be shy to ask to see the vial before the vax is given .... especially given how adamantly you want to avoid the pertussis vax. Good luck!

[nataliachick7]

Thank you.that is a great idea about the pharmacy, it would be much less pressure that way, and i wouldnt have to deal with the doctor. I think ill look into that!
 

[nataliachick7]

I am bumping this because I have one more question. I am wanting to move forward with this, but I have a concern about being "red flagged" with the insurance company if I suddenly have my son get this one vaccine. Call me paranoid, but I have heard of this happening. We have united health care. I dont want to go through with this and then all of a sudden get threatened to get kicked off If they notice he is not up to date on all vaxs. Ideas? thoughts? Should i pay out of pocket for the vax? Whats the $$ ballpark? Thanks

[Escaping]

I just googled it and it seems to vary from state to state, but it seems to be generally under $100 a shot.... from what I understand, you might need more than one dose.

Here is what the Public Health Agency of Canada has to say about it:

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/iyc-vve/faq-dis-mal/tetanus-tetanos-eng.php

Keep in mind, Ontario's vaccination schedule is about 1/3 of the vaccines recommended in the US.

You might also give TeleHealth Ontario a try:

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/telehealth/

If the number works from outside of Ontario (hopefully it does), you get free confidential access to a registered nurse 24/7 and you can ask about anything health related. 

[chickabiddy]

Originally Posted by nataliachick7 

Thank you.that is a great idea about the pharmacy, it would be much less pressure that way, and i wouldnt have to deal with the doctor. I think ill look into that!
 

Call the pharmacy first:  in my state, for instance, pharmacists can only vaccinate people age 14 and above.

[anj_rn]

You can also go to a mobile health clinic and just pay for the shot.  Be sure to decline anything that asks you to be on a registry.  I am on UHC, and they do not seem to care/notice that neither of my kids are on schedule.

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[dauphinette]

Originally Posted by anj_rn 

You can also go to a mobile health clinic and just pay for the shot.  Be sure to decline anything that asks you to be on a registry.  I am on UHC, and they do not seem to care/notice that neither of my kids are on schedule.

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A mobile health clinic that will have access to single shots?  That seems unlikely, or maybe I am misunderstanding.

Anyhoo.  I had my dr. write a script for the single shot to be ordered because all she said she could do, I had to order it through walgreens and pick it up myself.  This was a Medicaid/community health type ped. and that worked fine for us.  I also had to pay for it, but she administered it.

Remember that you need to do a certain # of rounds for efficacy.

[anj_rn]

Depends on where you are.  You are going to have a difficult time finding DT, no one uses it anymore.  You can find Td vaxes at family practice clinics, but a child has to be over the age of 7 to get them.  ERs and Urgent care centers carry the TT vax, but most will only give it after exposure.  I know that our City mobile health vans carry the Td vax, they charge $10 for it.   I would just call clinics ahead of time and ask if they carry Td, most places that treat adults will have them.  You will need to wait until your child is 7.