Family member advised not to get tdap/flu shot

djtippietoes · November 2013

So this is kind of similar to all the other posts about family members not getting shots, but in my case, my father is actually advised by his doctor not to get either the flu shot or a tdap shot. It's because he's had Guillain Barré Syndrome in the past. (And yes, my font just changed because I had to copy and paste that so I'd know how to spell it.) It kind of freaks me out that he's not getting them and wants to see the baby when he's born, but I mean, if that's what his doctor says...

I'm not quite sure what to do. Just hope he wouldn't come visit if he was in contact with anyone who had the flu or whooping cough/pertussis?

djtippietoes · November 2013

FlightView said:

I'm asking DH to get the TDAP shot, but not others. I might be on the other spectrum or ill-informed, is this really a big deal?

I have no idea. I just keep reading that everyone that sees the baby in the beginning should have both.

mlynn333 · November 2013

DH had Gillan barre, and we're struggling with those decisions. Obviously staying away from LO isn't an option , but the risks of him getting tdap and flu shot just don't seem worth it.

What I've read on tdap is that its safer for him than the flu shot, but that doesn't make me feel any more at ease.

kella0708 · November 2013

My H had Gillian Barre Syndrome as well. I know he cannot get the flu shot because of this, not sure about the TdaP we have to ask our PCP.

Unfortunately, there is really nothing you can do about this. I've been on DH to be a notorious hand washer and to stay away from anyone who might be sick. Hopefully taking these precautions will save him fom getting any illnesses this year.

karich · November 2013

My father is going to refuse all vaccines. This, despite the fact that he is surrounded by nurses...my mother is an infection control RN and preaches vaccines all day!!
But, there is nothing I can do to sway him. I'm not going to tell him he can't see his grandson until May. That's not realistic. I'm actually not really insisting on anyone getting anything they aren't comfortable with. It's not my job to be the vaccine police. I can only control myself (and DH

Good handwashing will have to suffice. I'll be nursing also, so the baby will have some protection through me, and also through the vaccines I get prenatally.
I'm not stressing about it.
It's not your dad's fault. I wouldn't want a repeat of a Guillian-Barre episode. Yikes.

djtippietoes · November 2013

broccoli's_girl said:

I guess if he can't get the shots, just ask him to exercise caution and use his best judgement? When I was in the hospital, I made anyone who wanted to hold the baby wash their hands first. There was a sink right there in the main part of my room, so it's not like it was a big deal. My MIL was the only one who thought I was crazy. Then again, she also informed me as they were leaving that one of her kids she'd insisted hold my baby was running a low-grade fever.

I would imagine that he wouldn't have a problem with waiting if he thought he'd been exposed to whooping cough. Would he?

No, he wouldn't visit if he'd been exposed. Just makes me worry that he wouldn't necessarily know.

djtippietoes · November 2013

karich said:

My father is going to refuse all vaccines. This, despite the fact that he is surrounded by nurses...my mother is an infection control RN and preaches vaccines all day!! But, there is nothing I can do to sway him. I'm not going to tell him he can't see his grandson until May. That's not realistic. I'm actually not really insisting on anyone getting anything they aren't comfortable with. It's not my job to be the vaccine police. I can only control myself (and DH Good handwashing will have to suffice. I'll be nursing also, so the baby will have some protection through me, and also through the vaccines I get prenatally. I'm not stressing about it. It's not your dad's fault. I wouldn't want a repeat of a Guillian-Barre episode. Yikes.

I don't blame him for not getting them, it's just a weird situation.

E3A7AGGIE · November 2013

The flu shot is one thing. But I actually was advised against the tdap b/c I had a reaction to it when I was young. And although they have changed it up a little, they didn't want to chance anything happening since I was nursing and what not.

Like others said, just tell him to really be careful about who he is around. And if he discovers he was around someone who did have the flu, then to maybe stay away for a few days or whatever to make sure he's in the clear.

Basically, my dr told me (with the tdap situation) was just not be around anyone with whooping cough :P … but yeah. I didn't "require" any other grandparent or person to get it. We all ended up fine.

karich · November 2013

golfergirl08 said:

karich said:

My father is going to refuse all vaccines. This, despite the fact that he is surrounded by nurses...my mother is an infection control RN and preaches vaccines all day!!
But, there is nothing I can do to sway him. I'm not going to tell him he can't see his grandson until May. That's not realistic. I'm actually not really insisting on anyone getting anything they aren't comfortable with. It's not my job to be the vaccine police. I can only control myself (and DH
Good handwashing will have to suffice. I'll be nursing also, so the baby will have some protection through me, and also through the vaccines I get prenatally.
I'm not stressing about it.
It's not your dad's fault. I wouldn't want a repeat of a Guillian-Barre episode. Yikes.

I am trying really hard not to judge your dad, but... I have to say, I am judging. It seems like he is choosing not to vaccinate instead of it being medically recommended he not get vaccinated, correct? I don't really understand what grandparent would choose not to do something that could potentially save the life of his/her grandchild, if he/she is able to. Keep in mind this is coming from someone who is very pro-vaccine and has no problem being the vaccine police.

On the other hand, I totally understand not being able to receive the vaccine due to medical reasons. I agree with PPs that all you can really do is have everyone wash their hands and tell them to try to stay away from anyone who is sick.

You can judge him, doesn't bother me. I'm fairly certain it wouldnt bother him either

He is who he is. I can't change him, or his opinions.
I'm not going to injure our relationship over it.

dunvilles · November 2013

This is for your fathers safety.

I'm assuming you will take your LO with you to the grocery store/mall/restaurants/doctors office etc. I am also assuming that you will touch your LO at times w/o sanitizing YOUR hands (after touching door knobs, cart handles, signing paper work etc)...

Your LO is going to be exposed to germs/illnesses by everyone that comes into contact with him/her whether or not they've had the shot. Just do what you can to sanitize and ask people not to kiss your LO's face and/or hands...

boogerbearoriginal · November 2013

There are medical reasons why some people can't get certain vaccines, that is one of them. So long as your Dad is mindful about washing his hands before holding LO. And really everyone should be regardless of whether they've had Tdap since there are plenty of other germs out there too.

But PP brought up a good point, that you will be out in the world and potentially expose LO to all sorts of germs. It's just life, so I wouldn't get too hung up on Grandpa not getting his Tdap.

OutOfStep81 · November 2013

Guillain Barré Syndrome is absolutely a valid reason to NOT get the flu or tdap shot. My XH had transverse mylitus as a teenager and will never get those types of shots. DS can't get the flu shot either because of his fathers history (TM isn't genetic that they know of yet, but all docs seem to agree caution is best in this case). I wasn't allowed to get the flu shot while pregnant with DS too.

So, as scary as it seems some people do fall into the 'can't' category. You should be fine though. I wouldn't worry overly much about it.

kak808 · November 2013

I'm actually not allowed to get the TDAP shot because I have a history of seizures. If concerns me a bit, but hopefully as long as close family members get the shot, baby and I will have a fair amount of protection!

Cerisrichard · November 2013

I am curious, as I have never heard of asking relatives to get vaccinated before. I have had flu shot and will be getting tdap next week. I thought this would protect LO until he was old enough to get vaccinated. I am very pro vaccine also, but can't imagine asking others to get vaccines updated just to visit my baby. I am in the UK, anyone know if this is policy here?

tinkerfly81 · November 2013

My DH cannot be around anyone who has recently had a live vaccination due to meds he is on for his health issues. Which means I not my boys can get any live vaccinations. I am not concerned. I had a son born in December and never had an issue with getting the flu. I have had the flu once in the last 10 years. I do not work outside of the home and my husband makes his own hours and does not work with anyone.

Random side note- that elephant above my post makes me really want a pickle!

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