Thursday, August 14, 2014

One In A Million

I really don't want to have The Great Vaccine Debate here. Really, I've had it with myself a million times, and it's why I usually stay away from such topics, but it's on my mind in a big way, so here it goes.

I waited until our eldest was five to start getting him vaccinated. It was not a decision I made lightly, and I did a great deal of research before making that decision (around here, if it's about the kids, it's usually my call).

He was that one in a million. That one kid who has seizures and can't breath, swells up like a jellyfish, gets a fever so high you think he should be boiling water in there, gets so ill that you're afraid he won't recover, and basically subjects you to the worst parental moments of your life. Thankfully, there were no long-term effects.

I have been read the riot act by various physicians, watched them tell him he was going to kill old people because I wouldn't give him the flu shot (true story), and been generally treated like the worst parent on earth for refusing to let anyone inject him with anything since then.

I haven't allowed anyone to give his brother vaccinations. Until...Yea, there's always a rusty nail somewhere out in the country, right?

I was patient and calm while the Dr. condescendingly explained to me that tetanus lives in the dirt (so yes, he could have gotten it from a scraped knee at some point because he hadn't been vaccinated), and I let her give me the whole "Why vaccines are great" talk. I know all these things though. I have researched more about vaccines than your average Dr. Promise. I know tetanus live in the dirt, I also know that you are far more likely to actually get it from a puncture wound than an actual scrape. I know that vaccines have saved millions of lives, and continue to prevent deadly and dangerous diseases across the world. I also know that my son was that one in a million kid, and I count us as incredibly blessed that he had no long term neurological problems.

Turns out, here they won't give a DT vaccine to a kid under seven now. It's DTaP. The vaccine his brother had the reaction to. Well, technically they weren't sure which one it was, but they strongly suggested that we get him the next round of all of them since "He didn't sustain a fever over 105 for more than three days, and he didn't die, so we can't issue you a vaccine exemption". We told them to shove it. Who needs a vaccine exemption card for a dead kid?
Anyways...
Tetanus is bad. It can be treated, but two out of ten people die from it, and those who don't, spend a good chunk of time in the ICU. Just because you step on a rusty nail doesn't mean that you are sure to get it, but the risk is there. I asked for a few minutes to think, called Alpha, and asked him what he thought. He said let them give it to him, so I did.

Our eldest was one in a million. Chances are slim of having two of those, right? Still though, I doubt I'll be sleeping much tonight. Just in case.

20 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Master's Pet,
      kids will do that to a person, huh.

      Delete
  2. *hugs*
    Mine reacted very poorly to the MMR, so we waited for the booster. Luckily he didn't react to that, but I understand your hesitance. I'll keep you and your son in my thoughts tonight. <3

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    Replies
    1. Awkward frog blue,
      hmm, that is interesting about the booster. If I may ask, how long did you wait?

      Delete
  3. Awww. **HUGS** These decisions are so difficult. You are a conscientious mom and that's something I get. I completely understand your decision to follow your gut and do what you felt was right. I am sending positive thoughts for a good night for your family.

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    Replies
    1. Tomsrose,
      these are the stresses nobody warns you about!
      Thank you, I appreciate your kind words very much.

      Delete
  4. Keeping my fingers crossed for you and him.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, sunnygirl. He's done really well with it!

      Delete
  5. Hugs Lil, I can certainly understand your concern. Sending positive thoughts and crossing fingers for you and your son.

    Hugs
    Roz

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    Replies
    1. Roz,
      thank you! I'm happy to say, he's doing well.

      Delete
  6. Ya, kinda scary. It's so dumb that older son can't have an immunization exempt card after that reaction. That's crazy! Ludicrous!
    Hope everything goes smooth for child #2. Keep us posted.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sarah,
      yea, that place wa a little out of hand with it--knew someone who wanted to get their kid one vaccine at a time, and the clinic threatened to call social services because of it (totally not a legit threat).
      Nothing more than a mild fever for #2!

      Delete
  7. You are an idiot, and you literally do put people at risk. Especially newborns. You disgust me.

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    Replies
    1. ANon,
      aw, how sweet. I was just thinking that I don't get nearly enough hate mail here.

      Delete
  8. ^^ I guess we are all entitled to our opinions...

    It's our job as parents to do our best at protecting our kids, and you're doing a great job.

    Hope he is doing well!

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    Replies
    1. Misty,
      Lol, yes we are.
      Thank you! And he's done quite well.

      Delete
  9. oh golly gosh, fingers crossed he's ok!

    i think vaccination in principle is a wonderful medical advance. When it comes down to individual vaccine programmes, though, some of them i disagree with for various reasons - especially when they're quick roll outs in a knee jerk response to some perceived problem, rather than being long running, well tested, tailored specific ones.
    We sit down each time and look at each vaccine programme - and each child, and then make the decision. Thankfully none of our kids, so far, had been one of those one in a millions with scary reactions!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mc kitten,
      I totally agree! Vaccines are an incredible medical creation that work really well for most people. My son is the only person I've met who's had such a severe reaction.
      My niece had 35 shots by the time she turned two. It's a pretty blanketed approach around here...

      Delete
  10. I also waited until my son was five. And I only did it then because otherwise school would have been a nightmare. At the end of the day you really can't give a flying fuck what other people think of your parenting decisions. Good for you on standing your ground.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KStina,
      At the moment, we are facing the prospect of public school, which does complicate matters quite a bit.

      I think that, as parents, the vast majority of us are just doing our best to make what we feel are the right choices for our children. It's quite a judgement laden topic!
      Many of my parenting decisions have been questioned and criticized over the years, but at the end of the day? I have extremely healthy kids who are, I am informed by the people they come into contact with, polite, intelligent, and kind people. I don't think that there's a whole lot more a parent could ask for!

      Thank you for the support--it's always nice to come into contact with someone who is not horribly critical of my views on these kinds of things.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete

Play nice.