Aside from the normal objections - Page 2

[Lookingup]

It's an interesting question.  Having a child with medical/developmental issues, there are procedures and tests that cause him discomfort, and I'll admit that unless we ABSOLUTELY have to do it, I avoid them... even if sometimes the results would be helpful.  A lot of it goes back to when we were vaccinating, and I'm not even referring to the brain damage that resulted.  I truly believe that he has emotional trauma from the experience.  He cannot get bloodwork now without being sedated.  It just destroys me how vaccination harmed his little life in a myriad of ways.

Sometimes we cannot avoid physical pain for our children in the name of finding medical answers.  I also think that many health answers can be found for our children without any physical discomfort whatsoever... but it involves a bit more homework. 

re: titers.  The majority of parents I know don't even know what they are.  Pet owners seem more informed about them.  (This probably ties into our earlier pet vaccination post!) 

[MichelleZB]

I do vaccinate my son, and I'm confused about whether I'm allowed to post in this thread as long as I don't advocate for vaccination in my post, or if I just shouldn't post at all. If it's the latter, feel free to delete!

Anyway, I was just wondering: doesn't the titer test require a blood draw with a needle, too? So if you're trying to minimize needles, the titer tests may not be the best way to go.

[kathymuggle]

yeah, the titre does require a blood test.  Here is why it might be better:

One titre draw versus possibly several shots.  Chicken pox is a two jab process for example, while a titre is one.  Of course, if the titre does not show immunity, you now have 3 jabs, but often there might be a good reason for a titre so hopefully the odds are in your favour.  You might be able to check several titres from one needle prick, which could mean substantially lower needles if some of them show immunity.

A side effect of some vaccines is pain at the injection site, red, swollen areas, mild fever.  These are not common side effects to a blood draw, so it might be worth it to do a titre to possibly avoid this.

And lastly, you know most people here have other reasons they do not want to vaccinate - if a titre can prove immunity and avoids immunisation, they are going to go for it.  

As for titres, I would only bother if I knew I would vaccinate in the absence of immunity. 

[Chloebelle]

Also, perhaps the OP is referring more to needle pain trauma regarding an infant. Titers would most likely be done later in life.

[aggie pop]

Originally Posted by MichelleZB 

Anyway, I was just wondering: doesn't the titer test require a blood draw with a needle, too? So if you're trying to minimize needles, the titer tests may not be the best way to go.

Yes- but my idea was something along the lines of if x% (80%-ish, i think, but it depends on the shot- i am a little outdated) do get the required antibodies from the one shot they could just have one of each vaccine and then a titre...  that's a lot less needles.  Maybe your kid would need a 2nd dose of something to bring it up to the magic number for that particular virus.  But, it would be rare to need 5 doses...  my understanding is that all children receive x# of doses to practically eliminate the possibility that anyone not have the antibodies (95%).  A lot less needles and a lot less other junk going into your baby.

We avoid entirely, but I think this is a more humane approach.