My vax dilemma-plz help

[honeybunch2k8]

I'm a 21 year old college student. To make a long story short, I'm enrolled in a class which requires me to do volunteer work. I chose Headstart, thinking it was a good idea. It requires me to have my shot record and the 121 Compliance form (which a nurse would sign upon completion of getting the shots). I went to the Health Department, and discovered I wasn't up to date.

They want me to get the tetanus booster and MMR. I dont want them!

Is there any way I could circumvent this? Or should I just go elsewhere for volunteer work and hope they dont' require vaxes?

*sorry if this isn't the right place!

[spero]

What state are you in? You might be able to claim an exemption.

[honeybunch2k8]

I'm in Mississippi. I don't think there is a philosophical exemption here.

Oh yes, I just had a cold. I know I shouldnt have vaxes now (not like I want them at all) even just bc of that.

[spero]

Eeek, Mississippi.

Unfortunately, you are in one of two states that only allows medical exemption from vaccines. Unless you have a bona fide medical reason to avoid vaccines and a doctor who will sign off on that, you don't have much choice I'm afraid.

[irony_optional]

It sounds like you were immunized as a kid? And never had a reaction? If so, in your place, I'd get them.

[honeybunch2k8]

Originally Posted by spero

Eeek, Mississippi.

Unfortunately, you are in one of two states that only allows medical exemption from vaccines. Unless you have a bona fide medical reason to avoid vaccines and a doctor who will sign off on that, you don't have much choice I'm afraid.

I know. There are some things I don't like about living here, and this is one.

This is all so strange. Just a few days ago I was telling myself how I didn't want to vax ever again, reading up on tetanus, mmr, and other vaxes (in fact, I just bought a book by Neustaedter). Now this. I feel like I'm being put to some kind of test!

My record shows where I had a HepB at age 11. :

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

The MMR shot later in life has been linked with arthritus I would reasearch and think long and hard before getting that one now.

[honeybunch2k8]

^Thanks for telling me that, I didn't know.

I've heard of adults having adverse reactions to tetanus shot like swelling.

I really don't want either one. I mean dang, and even if I did have tetanus it's not like I could spread it to other people. And even if i could m, m, or r and gave it to a child, I'd probably be the one having a hard time not them.

*sigh*

[honeybunch2k8]

[superlori]

I don't know much about exemptions, but aren't they only for school? Can a charity organisation require them by law? Vaxes are only mandated for schools, is that not right? (Like I said, I could be totally wrong, but if there were a loophole there...)

[NYMOM07]

why do you need this to work at headstart? i am a teacher in nyc, they didnt ask for any medical records when i was hired, but did want a tb test. maybe go to a different program if you dont want to do it, i wouldnt either.

[abomgardner417]

If it were me I'd find a different place to volunteer. No way would I get either of those shots.

[AutumnMama]

Another thought, maybe you could go get your titers checked. You could very well show immunity to those things.

[momofmine]

I would trust my gut and not do something that might affect my health just for some short volunteer work. Just because you didn't have a reaction as a child means nothing, adults still have vax reactions.

I would try to get out of the vaxes or volunteer somewhere else.

[honeybunch2k8]

Originally Posted by NYMOM07

why do you need this to work at headstart? i am a teacher in nyc, they didnt ask for any medical records when i was hired, but did want a tb test. maybe go to a different program if you dont want to do it, i wouldnt either.

That's the head of head start wants me to have. I'm not sure if it's a law or anything, I guess it's bc kids are around. I don't really know though.

I think I'll just go elsewhere. I just can't do it knowing what's in those things.

Oh yes, adults to have adverse reactions. I know a lady from another site who get the mmr as an adult and had to be hospitalized.

[lioralourie]

I got MMR booster as an adult...in 2001...and have arthritis to this day in my right thumb, wrist and sometimes elbow. I recall reading that the Rubella component in one study gave 55% of women arthritis, a smaller number serious/permanent.

(sorry, no citation as it was one of the very first things I read which was like um, light bulb, my weird pains were NOT repetitive motion injury from too much computer time at work!)

[columbusmomma]

i think you should look into having titers drawn.

[honeybunch2k8]

Titers? Do you think they'd do that at a health department?


I decided Ill just go somewhere else even though this will really put me behind.

[lioralourie]

Losing your health would put you even more behind, hon...

Looking back on my internships and stuff they were but a blink of the eye in the wider context of my life. I feel you are making the right decision...tough, but right.

For anyone else in a similar situation, Please look up and carefully consider some of the possible reactions to Tetanus and MMR vaxes. Do a basic Search of the VAERS database here http://www.medalerts.org/ The Vax abbreviations are listed at the lower right side of the page under "Abbreviations".

Keep in mind that experts (both pro and con) estimate that between 1% and 10% (they usually average these figures to say "around 4%") of vax reactions actually get recognized and placed into the VAERS system properly.

Best of Health to you!
Liora in Beijing

[honeybunch2k8]

I just have a few questions.

So I didn't get the shot, but I noticed on the paper I got at the health department there was a little "d" after the T. I'm just wondering-why is diptheria with the tetanus?

Has anyone ever gotten a shot for tetanus only to discover it was actually tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis in one?