Anyone else asking family members to get vaccines?

bridein08 · July 2011

Since our babies are being born in the height of the sickness season, is anyone else asking family to make sure they are up to date on vaccines? I am a peds nurse and worried about having a baby in flu/rsv season, but I am asking family members to be up to date on their TdaP vaccine since babies don't get their first dose to protect them until at least two months. Anyone asking their family to be up to date on vaccines or get flu vaccine?

skleidon21 · July 2011

No.. Just because you get a flu shot dosen't mean you wont get the flu. The flu shot only covers one strand of the flu.

CamJack mom · July 2011

Since MIL and FIL will be around for extended periods, I am asking that they get the pertussis vaccine, but that's about it. Anything else, I will just be watching for any signs of coughing, runny noses, and asking about recent bouts of fever and illness.

bridein08 · July 2011

skleidon21:
No.. Just because you get a flu shot dosen't mean you wont get the flu. The flu shot only covers one strand of the flu.

This is actually not true- it covers against several strains that are estimated to be the most common this year.

skleidon21 · July 2011

I guess the reason I'm not a big fan of it, is because everytime i have had the flu shot. I got the flu! Plus i think its kinda funny that my uncle is a doctor and everyone in his family practice office refuse to get a flu shot?

plumerialost · July 2011

I had a baby last december and I didn't ask anyone to get shots. I also took her out and about shortly after getting out of the hospital. I just didn't let people who were sick near or touch her and asked everyone to wash their hands before holding her. She didn't catch a cold this past winter. Granted they don't start getting shots for a couple months, but you have to expose then to germs so they can help build up their own immune system. But it's all in moderation and what you feel comfortable with.

2gr8pits · July 2011

DH nor I get the flu shot. Neither do my parents. I will not make anyone get it unless they want to do it on their own. I would hope that people that are sick will have enough common sense not to be around our newborn baby. If they are exposed to the germs then I hope it helps build their immune system!

skleidon21 · July 2011

My thoughts exactly

plumerialost:
I had a baby last december and I didn't ask anyone to get shots. I also took her out and about shortly after getting out of the hospital. I just didn't let people who were sick near or touch her and asked everyone to wash their hands before holding her. She didn't catch a cold this past winter. Granted they don't start getting shots for a couple months, but you have to expose then to germs so they can help build up their own immune system. But it's all in moderation and what you feel comfortable with.

DiademChi · July 2011

My family (on both sides) always gets their flu shots, so I'm not worried. If they were not, I would totally ask them to. I'd even shell out the $20 if they needed it (though most insurances cover it fully).

Unless people have an egg/chicken allergy, there is no good reason to not get a flu shot.

bridein08 · July 2011

I guess my main reason for not trusting the "don't allow sick people near my baby" is that these potentially deadly diseases are contagious before the onset of symptoms. Furthermore, in young infancy the building up of the immune system should not happen by exposure, but through passed antibodies from mom to baby (before birth and from breastfeeding). Maybe I am overanalyzing due to the babies I've seen admitted to the NICU on a ventilator from completely preventable diseases....

DiademChi · July 2011

skleidon21:
No.. Just because you get a flu shot dosen't mean you wont get the flu. The flu shot only covers one strand of the flu.

Although it only gives maximum coverage for one strand, your immune system often benefits and has extra resistance against similar strains.

MommynTeacher · July 2011

I think they would call me "momzilla" if I even brought it up. It's a bit much to be honest.

LizOller · July 2011

We aren't giving anyone a hard time, but those without vaccines aren't allow at our home.

Right now there is a shingles outbreak at his college and will not be visiting me for a while.

spacedolphin11 · July 2011

My youngest sister is starting 11th grade this year, and she has to get the Tdap anyway, so I mentioned it would be awesome if my parents got it too (my husband will too, of course.) They didn't mind at all. (My other sister is a nurse and is vaccinated for pretty much everything, and MIL is a doctor so she probably is too.) There's a big push for pertussis vaccination in my area, and it's totally worth it to me to bring it up to my family.

Ruby_Soho · July 2011

No. All our friends and family are smart enough to stay away if they're that sick. Plus, this bub will be born in SUMMER!! Yeah

DS was a winter baby, we didn't get shots or ask anyone else to and he was absolutely fine. Even as a preemie, after a NICU stay.

robynlynn83 · July 2011

Everyone in our families that comes in contact with baby, I have asked (when Mara was born) to get the TdaP booster which I am glad we did or the whooping cough situation could have been worse in our house. It just reinforces how easily those completely awful illnesses can spread and make little ones sick.

We all get flu shots---while I know it doesn't ensure I don't get it, I feel that if I push vax for my kids, why would I skip them myself.

GoldenPeaches · July 2011

Yes, anybody who will be staying in our house (pretty much just our siblings and our parents) will have the pertussis and flu shots. They have all already complied with the pertussis, and will comply with the flu shot requirements when it comes time.

Anybody who won't be staying (friends, etc) will have to wash their hands or use sanitizer before touching the baby and we'll ask they stay home if they are sick.

bridein08 · July 2011

Thanks, Ladies! I don't feel terrible for asking IL's to do this now

LuvMyFurbaby · July 2011

skleidon21:
I guess the reason I'm not a big fan of it, is because everytime i have had the flu shot. I got the flu! Plus i think its kinda funny that my uncle is a doctor and everyone in his family practice office refuse to get a flu shot?

The flu vaccine is inactive (contains killed flu viruses) - it's impossible to get the flu from getting the vaccine.

You were either exposed just before getting the vaccine; or you were exposed to a strain that the vaccine does not protect against; or the vaccine didn't "take" (the vaccine "fails" in 10 to 20% of people who receive it).

It's also possible what you got wasn't actually the real flu.

EvenAngelsFall · July 2011

My take on it is: I don't want someone imposing their views about vac'ing on me.... so who am I to insist that people coming near the baby get vac'ed. (If they are not already, its probably for a reason, and thats their business.)

Not to mention the fact that strangers pose just as big a *health risk* to the baby as people who see them on a regular basis....

I know I will worry, but have to remember I can't bubble wrap the world.

zoeyandsummersmom · July 2011

Yes, but my husband's uncle, who is a doctor usually has everyone back to his house after a family event and gives out the flu vaccines then.

rubyjem00 · July 2011

EvenAngelsFall:
My take on it is: I don't want someone imposing their views about vac'ing on me.... so who am I to insist that people coming near the baby get vac'ed. (If they are not already, its probably for a reason, and thats their business.)
I know I will worry, but have to remember I can't bubble wrap the world.

This was my first reaction. I hadn't actually thought about it until you ladies brought it up and everyone has some interesting points.

kerrymass · July 2011

Wow, I had never thought of this, but not a bad idea. Most of my family members get the flu shot annually and are up-to-date on all of their vaccinations because of international travel, but I think I'll "remind" them of our LOs immune system and encourage them to make sure they're up-to-date. Thanks for posting your question!

JNicMTek · July 2011

I've never had a flu shot, so I can't ask others to do it just because I'll have a winter baby. H gets it, but he's military and has to. I would hope those who are sick will stay away, but that's enough for me.

GoldenPeaches · July 2011

dcmetrobride:
Yes, but my husband's uncle, who is a doctor usually has everyone back to his house after a family event and gives out the flu vaccines then.

My dad does this too. Last year I got my flu shot in my living room. LOL! Obviously this year I will get it at the MW to get the pregnancy safe version.

gina_bo_bena · July 2011

If I even brought this up, DH would look at me like I was crazy. I got the flu shot last year and still got the flu - the full-on flu. Personally, I think if we asked others to get the vaccine or they will not handle my child is a little overkill. Babies SHOULD be exposed to germs and things to build up their immune system. That said, I'm not going to hand my baby over to someone who is sick and I will ask people to wash their hands...but to me that's just common sense. I knew to do that with my niece and I was 9! Just my opinion though.

Becky&Barrett · July 2011

I have never gotten the flu shot myself and never had the flu so I won't ask people to do something I won't.

ksmit062 · July 2011

Yes! But only because my MIL works in the school system and my mom works in a library. So they are germ central! Only other person I'm asking other than that is DH. Everyone else, if they have a sniffle they're not allowed in my house! Hahaha.

uncharch7 · July 2011

No. I'm asking DH to go to the doctor to get up to date on his shots, but it's really a ploy to get him to get a full physical since he hasn't had one in several years Tongue Tied

I'm not 100% sure I'm getting a flu shot either. It is something we've never done, but we're actually considering this year for the first time.

megmarissa · July 2011

LOL. I marched my DH into the doctor for his first physical in like 10+ years. One of my few pregnancy moments. I insisted if I was carrying our baby and seeing a doctor every 30 days the least he could do is go and see one so I was assured he wouldn't die leaving our son and I alone. Luckily DH realized this was just one of those moments where he should smile and nod and consented. My doctor and the nurses laughed because I guess it happens quite often where the mom drags the hubby in for a dual check-up :P He got most of his shots. If I can convince him to get the flu I will although he rarely is sick.

uncharch7 · July 2011

megmarissa:
LOL. I marched my DH into the doctor for his first physical in like 10+ years. One of my few pregnancy moments. I insisted if I was carrying our baby and seeing a doctor every 30 days the least he could do is go and see one so I was assured he wouldn't die leaving our son and I alone. Luckily DH realized this was just one of those moments where he should smile and nod and consented. My doctor and the nurses laughed because I guess it happens quite often where the mom drags the hubby in for a dual check-up :P He got most of his shots. If I can convince him to get the flu I will although he rarely is sick.

Thanks for making me not feel so bad re: making DH get a physical LOL

getnmarried910 · July 2011

plumerialost:
I had a baby last december and I didn't ask anyone to get shots. I also took her out and about shortly after getting out of the hospital. I just didn't let people who were sick near or touch her and asked everyone to wash their hands before holding her. She didn't catch a cold this past winter. Granted they don't start getting shots for a couple months, but you have to expose then to germs so they can help build up their own immune system. But it's all in moderation and what you feel comfortable with.

My last baby was also a December baby and the only thing we did was get flu shots and H1N1. I think they are combined now,but not positive. I think DH is going to get the pertussis vaccine this year, and I am going to see how soon I can get it, but other than that, I don't feel like we can ask others to do it. We also take our babies out right away (as in straight from the hospital to Target or to dinner), have them in church the first Sunday we are home, and we just watch out for who is sick-sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, etc. We carry hand sanitizer with us, and we keep a sign on our infant seat that surprisingly worked wonders for church people! We got it at mytinyhands.com. We never had any problems with people trying to touch when they saw the red stop sign hanging from the handle of the seat. I need to find mine or order a new one!

KellyAnn911 · July 2011

bump burp

KellyAnn911 · July 2011

I will not be asking anyone to get vac'd to see my baby. I think that is a bit ridiculous. Hand washing and sanitizer is enough. People in my family have enough common sense to not come over if they are sick. My baby is not going to be a bubble boy.

earychener · July 2011

This exactly! That is one of my biggest pet peeves, when someone says "I got the flu from the flu vaccine". The flu is not mild fever, aches, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting for a day....the flu is severe fever, cough, body aches and fatigue so bad you can't get out of bed, for a week at least, with dehydration, and possible secondary bacterial respiratory infections. I am making my family get flu vaccines/TDaP if they are going to be watchiing my baby for any amount of time. Just to visit, I will be diligent with the hand sanitizer and if they are ill or live with someone who is they will not be visiting.

ContactDanielle · July 2011

**** Just a thought! If you are requiring your family to get flu shots and vaccines, what are you going to do when you take your dr. to their appts. at the dr.'s office? There are a ton of germs going around there. And do you have any children in school or family members in school cause they will bring home a ton of germs. Is your child going to be going to daycare? Cause there are a ton of germs. The best thing to do is be careful. Obviously don't give your baby to a person that is obviously sick, but the baby needs to get exposed to some germs or when they start in school they are going to be sooo sick! I work at a daycare and have talked to many of the teachers at the elementary school and they said that they can tell if a student has siblings or was in daycare cause they do not get sick as often as others. Just a thought!

bridein08 · July 2011

I can understand the immune system thing- but surely you aren't exposing a NEWBORN knowingly to RSV before they have developed antibodies of their own. Once again, I have seen too many babies in an induced coma on a respirator due to RSV, flu and Pertussis (all preventable).

When I take baby to the doctors when he is young, he won't be in with sick kids. I am a nurse there and will be brought back immediately. I am not blind to the fact that there are germs in public, but I do know that these illnesses are contagious BEFORE symptoms start in the carrier. I want those closest to baby (with the most contact with baby) to be protected.

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