January 2013 Moms
MRSVELA07
member
Are you making flu shots a requirement to see/visit baby?
MRSVELA07
member
Morning ladies,
Since our babies will be born in the middle of the flu season are you requesting that all family members who want to visit your newborn have the flu and/or whooping cough shots?
I haven't thought about this but now I'm giving it some serious thought, especially family members who have little ones who are walking germ magnets. On the other hand some people just don't get shots, I have yet to get the flu and haven't had the flu before *knock on wood* and if it weren't for my baby I still wouldn't get one. Now that I think about because of hubby's career he'll have to get one too!
I think this is such a sticky topic but at the end of the day it's for the my baby.
What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance!
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Re: Are you making flu shots a requirement to see/visit baby?
No, I'm not because I'm of the opinion that not only are the vaxs themselves not anywhere near 100% effective, but there are a whole host of other viruses that present just like the flu that can't be vaxed for and that sort of thing. If you really want to protect your child you'll need to keep them away from all visitors. Of course we ask that no one visit if they know they're sick or feel like they might be coming down with something. It's not 100% effective, but we didn't have any problems last time with anyone in our house getting sick.
Obviously this is a personal choice though and you have every right to limit who visits based on your comfort level.
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I am making my parents and DH's parents because they are planning on staying with us for an extended amount of time after LO is born (they all live in different states than us). My MIL was upset and told us she and my FIL don't want to get it. DH told her it's not an option if they want to stay with us. My parents more than understood and my mom has never had the flu shot, but she respects our wishes and will get one.
This is my plan!
Henry Cavill...You're welcome!
BFP #3: EDD 1/10/13 **DS born 12/30/12!!!**
BFP #2: MC 7/2/11 @ 12 weeks
**Missing our February '12 LoveBug**
BFP #1: MMC discovered on 12/6/10
I brought it up to my mom who works at a middle school and will with my Mil who volunteers at a hospital. I won't force it, but considering they both are around sick people, I would be more comfortable. The rest of my family either work desk jobs or are stay at home moms.
I actually won't get mine until after the baby is here, along with the whooping cough VAX. I can then pass antibodies through milk.
11/18/16 missed m/c 9w1
08/03/17 no hb 8w
I would find it very obnoxious if I wanted to visit a friend with a newborn and given the response that I can only come if I've gotten my shots. Do you plan on asking them to show you their records too?
So, no I certainly will not require (or even ask) if family/friends have gotten their shots. However, I will request that people wash their hands (or possibly use hand sanitizer) before they hold our baby. I won't do this forever, but certainly in the beginning. I feel like this is a very acceptable request.
BFP #1 5/12/12; EDD 1/20/13; Eliana Grace born 1/25/13
BFP #2 12/11/13; EDD 8/23/14; M/C 6 weeks
BFP #3 4/3/14; EDD 12/13/14
I asked everyone that was coming for an extended visit (all of our relatives are out of state) to get their TdAP boosters and flu shot. Luckily, my sister had a baby last year and most everyone in my family got their shots last year. My IL's didn't really think this was a big deal. My mother is the only person that can't get vaccinated, but she had Guillain-Barre Syndrome 25 years ago and isn't able to be vaccinated.
For visitors stopping by, no, we won't require anyone to get a flu shot. Like a PP mentioned, how would you even enforce that?
Our family had the flu shot and we got a strain not covered by the vaccine. It pretty much shut us down for 2 weeks at our house and we are just now recovering.
So, I'm not asking this of visitors. There are just so many things going around that there is no way to prevent everything.
We'll just practice hand washing and obviously not allow someone that is clearly sick to be around the baby.
While I am very pro vaccine, and made darn sure that my DH and myself both got the flu shot (and the pertussis vaccine), I am not going to "require" visitors to have those done. To be frank, the vaccines are effective, but some will still get sick regardless of having gotten them so just asking about the vaccine alone does not say anything...plus, there are a lot more illness that can harm baby besides the flu and whooping cough. Even to visit family in the hospital we don't screen for vaccinations.
You are much better off asking that visitors who are sick (even with "colds") STAY AWAY. Also, when visitors do come, make sure that everyone washes their hands before touching the baby. Both of these guidelines will help protect your baby much more than asking about vaccinations alone.
no....like op's have said...tons of purell...
i've never gotten a flu shot in my life and i've been fine...dh gets the flu shot every year and this year he got walking pneumonia right after....
if someone isn't feeling well or think they might have a cold i'll just ask them to stay away is all...i'm sure they wouldn't be offended...
When I had DS three years ago, we were in the middle of the swine flu outbreak, so yes, I badgered them all to get not only a flu shot, but a pertussis vaccine too. I wasn't mean about it, we just had to keep reminding everyone. It helped that everyone was scared about swine flu anyways. I will remind them again this time, too.