moving to china...what would you do?

[lisavark]

My husband has accepted a job in Chengdu, China. DD is eight months old and has never had any vaccinations. I was planning on starting DTaP at one year, but we'll be going to China when she's ten months old. Now I'm freaking out. I'm scared of getting vaccinations done over there...but we're not going to be out in the country or anything; we probably could get an American doctor. Not sure that's going to help, considering how most peds are about vaxes. But anyway, I'm mostly scared of diphtheria, tetanus, Japanese encephalitis (since I've never researched it before), and polio. I always planned on getting DD some vaxes before she traveled abroad...wasn't expecting travel to come so soon.

If I want to do DTaP it's already too late to get the whole series before we leave, but I could start right now and get two in before we go...argh. I don't want to start so early. I am really not ready for this. Help!

Any advice from other delaying vaxers? What would you do?

Thanks...sorry for freaking out... You mamas are my best resource on this...

[alegna]

Well, tetanus isn't contagious - shouldn't be any easier to get over there.

Have you found stats on any of the diseases in the area you will be?

-Angela

[Gitti]

Originally Posted by lisavark

DD is eight months old and has never had any vaccinations. I was planning on starting DTaP at one year, but we'll be going to China when she's ten months old.

Why at 1 year? She is over the danger of whooping cough by that age. The danger is before the age of 6 mo. and no child is fully vaccinated (for what it's worth) by that age anyway.

Now I'm freaking out. I'm scared of getting vaccinations done over there...but we're not going to be out in the country or anything;

What is wrong with country air? I am sure you won't be drinking filthy water and feeding your child from street vendors. So, I don't see what is wrong with going into the country?

we probably could get an American doctor.

Gosh what a great opportunity to learn about natural Chinese herbal medicine which has been around for over 2000 years and proven to be much safer than allopathic drugs. Get to know some older people and find out things they did for their children when they were sick. You will be amaszd at their knowledge for self healing.

I'm mostly scared of diphtheria, tetanus, Japanese encephalitis (since I've never researched it before), and polio.

Diphtheria is a disease people get when they are in concentration camps, starving and crowded. Or people who live on the street, or alcoholics.
Tetanus is a disease of old people and I have never known anyone who had it, no matter how old. It is extremely rare.
I have never researched japanese encephalitis. What is it?
Encephalitis is an inflamation of the brain or spinal cord and can be caused by any bacteria or virus so a vaccine can only protect against a few strains. Can't see what good that one could do since there are always other bacteria to take the place.
Polio is not something you'll just get if you are healthy. Read the thread about polio in the archives and see how few people actually got polio even when it was a problem
The polio cases you may see in China may be due to sprays and pesticides or the oral polio vaccine itself.

Wash everything well, eat healthy and rely on her unaltered immune system. That's what I would do. I would never vaccinate and trust that brew they inject. Look at your child. Is she healthy? If so, trust that health.