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Vaccinating a 9 yo for the first time - which ones are most important?

post #1 of 27
12/2/12 at 10:13am
Thread Starter 

We didn't vax when dd was a baby or a toddler.  I've since come to believe that wasn't the right decision for us, at least not anymore, and I want to vax her for a variety of reasons.  Especially now that she is nearing her teens/adulthood I want to vax her for mumps and chicken pox and meningitis.  She's a very active, explore-y and nature loving kid, so tetanus is important to us as well.  Polio, maybe not so much, but I am not sure. 

 

We have a doc that is very comfortable with not vaxing and selectively vaxing, as well as vaxing on schedule for those who choose that, so I know I can contact her and get her input and I plan on doing that.  But, until then I am wondering which ones to start with and why?  Which ones to not worry about and why?  Also, how to plan it out so she isn't getting a billion shots at once.

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post #2 of 27
12/2/12 at 10:21am
She really needs to get MMR as soon as possible. And depending on where you live I'd think about TB. That's a big one for us because we live in the centre of a big city.
post #3 of 27
12/2/12 at 10:28am

If you believe antibodies are an indication of immunity, why don't you have her titres measured and go from there?

post #4 of 27
12/2/12 at 10:30am
Good idea.

(Although not sure why you say "if you believe..." - I don't get that. )
post #5 of 27
12/2/12 at 10:31am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by lilabet View Post

She really needs to get MMR as soon as possible. And depending on where you live I'd think about TB. That's a big one for us because we live in the centre of a big city.

 

Any particular reason why?  (On the MMR)  I know mumps is dangerous to have as you get older because it can affect fertility, but other than that those were childhood diseases I wasn't really as worried about as some of the others.  School me! :D

post #6 of 27
12/2/12 at 10:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lilabet View Post

Good idea.

(Although not sure why you say "if you believe..." - I don't get that. )

Because there is more to immunity than antibodies. Studies have shown you can have antibodies to a pathogen but no real immunity. 

post #7 of 27
12/2/12 at 10:36am
Getting titers tested is expensive, I think.

I would start with Dtap (or whichever version of Dtap is age appropriate) and mrr, too. Mmr is no longer available (in the us) as separate shots, so if you want her vaccinated for mumps you will have to do mmr, I think. I think you're smart to do meningitis and chicken pox, too. Pneumococcal will help protect her from pneumonia, that was an important one to me.

I wouldn't get a lot of vaccines at once just because if there's some kind of reaction I want to have a more specific idea which one caused it. I think how many and how often is a matter of your comfort level and convenience, though.
post #8 of 27
12/2/12 at 10:37am
I remember my sister having Rubella and there being a real chance she would die.

Mumps because of the fertility and pregnancy thing.

Measles because I am a strong advocate of herd immunity.

That's an interesting view re antibodies.
post #9 of 27
12/2/12 at 10:40am
And if you're concerned about meningitis consider HIB, too.
post #10 of 27
12/2/12 at 10:46am
Thread Starter 

Mirzamm,  we looked into titers a few years ago, even though she was homeschooled when she was around 5-6 she started spending a lot more time around groups of children.  Anyway, our insurance wouldn't cover it and iirc it was about $350.

 

Lilabet, thank you.  That is the kind of information I was looking for - until now I really had no idea rubella could be that serious.  I don't know that herd immunity factors that much into my decision because if you are vaccinated aren't you immune?  Therefore, is an unvaxed person a threat to those who believe in vaccinations and have been vaccinated?  (I could be wrong, I am trying to sort through what I have learned over the years and what is actually true.)

 

Rrrrrachel,  that is a very good suggestion about not doing them all at once.  I probably wouldn't have thought of that.  Thanks! 

post #11 of 27
12/2/12 at 10:48am

Oh yes def DTaP and Meningitis. Chicken Pox is a maybe one that I'd leave for later. There's a lot for her to catch up on!!

 

Has she had any of the childhood illnesses, maybe you could rule them out for the time being?

 

You probably don't want her having 10 shots in one day but you do want her caught up as quickly as possible. 

post #12 of 27
12/2/12 at 12:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lilabet View Post

I remember my sister having Rubella and there being a real chance she would die.
.

 

From rubella?????

 

I am glad she survived - but wow…..there are so few death from rubella (even before vaccination) that your sister is truly one in a million to get so close to death from rubella.

 

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/G/cases&deaths.pdf

post #13 of 27
12/2/12 at 12:09pm
Yes. It really wasn't good.

I have no idea why anyone would risk it! It is a horrifically uncomfortable illness also.
post #14 of 27
12/2/12 at 1:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lilabet View Post

Yes. It really wasn't good.
I have no idea why anyone would risk it! It is a horrifically uncomfortable illness also.

 

Anecdotes do not equal data.


Edited by Bokonon - 12/2/12 at 5:22pm
post #15 of 27
12/2/12 at 1:49pm
Happy to edit.
Edited by Rrrrrachel - 12/2/12 at 2:44pm
post #16 of 27
12/2/12 at 2:41pm
Bokonon: Sarcasm that contributes nothing to the discussion isn't welcome here. Edit or I can delete it for you.
Rrrrachel: this thread isn't about Bokonon. Edit or I can delete it for you.
post #17 of 27
12/2/12 at 2:44pm
Happy to edit. Feel free to delete so it doesn't look funny if you'd like.
post #18 of 27
12/2/12 at 3:01pm

Hi All: As a reminder, please be respectful of the diversity of opinions at MDC and refrain from using terms like "willfullly careless" to describe those who do or do not vax. I have removed posts that included this language and am issuing infractions.

post #19 of 27
12/2/12 at 6:13pm
Thread Starter 

MayoClinic online, which strikes me as pretty mainstream, doesn't seem to support that rubella is a horrifically uncomfortable illness.  In fact, it says that the symptoms are usually so mild that they aren't noticed and when they are it's 2-3 days of a mild fever, stuffy nose, a rash, red eyes, swollen glands and a headache.  I am not doubting that your sister was very ill with it, but that seems to not be at all typical of rubella. 

 

My husband was not onboard with vaccinating with the MMR because he feels they are all usually minor childhood diseases, and he and his brothers had them all and they are all fine.  Again, the mayoclinic online says that mumps rarely leads to infertility, which was my main reason for wanting to get her the MMR.  So, I am up in the air when it comes to that one, but I am still wanting to get her some vaccinations.  And, I am not completely disregarding the herd immunity points that were brought up, either.  I am just a bit overwhelmed with how to prioritize which ones to get and when.

 

I am going to call the doctor's office in the morning and set up a meeting with her.

post #20 of 27
12/2/12 at 6:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Attila the Honey View Post

  So, I am up in the air when it comes to that one, but I am still wanting to get her some vaccinations. 

Why?  (you do not have to defend the decision or answer…just curious)

 

How old is she?

 

Would waiting be an option and letting her have some say in it (which is appropriate, in my mind, for someone in their teens) - although I know others differ on this.  

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Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Health › Vaccinations › Vaccinations Discussion and Debate › Vaccinating a 9 yo for the first time - which ones are most important?