Need Urgent Advice!

Rating: 4 after 2 votes

I am a mother of a 2 month old who is scheduled to have her vaccines on Dec. 2. However, I could wait until after Christmas to have her shots, and this way, I could see her regular doc. I am seeing a different doc. before Christmas at a different place because my primary pediatrics office was too busy, if that makes since. On the 8th I will be traveling on a plane to see family. I am almost wanting to cancel my appt. on the 2nd so that I can schedule an appt. with my regular doc after Christmas. The reason I want to do this is because I really want his opinion on the vaccines. I don't think I want my daughter getting all four at once. BUT here is what Im scared of. The plane ride, without being vaccinated. So, should I go ahead and get her fully vaccinated before the plane ride, or will it be ok to selectively vaccinate before then, or can i wait until after Christmas to do this? What are the chances she will catch one of these diseases in an airplane/airport that she is to be vaccinated for? Which vaccines out of the four she is to get are the ones she needs now vs. later? Please don't tell me to read a book because I feel like Im running out of time. I just need advice on what you have done and please let me know if Im just being paranoid.

THANKS SO MUCH!
http://rossandbrittany.blogspot.com

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Megan Calhoun on November 30, 2008 at 8:30pm: Hi Brittany,

There are a ton of posts on this topic. Try a quick search to find out who is posting about vaccinations on Twittermoms here. Google is another great way to search for specific topics like this on Twittermoms.

Good luck!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Meglyn on November 30, 2008 at 8:43pm: If you are still nursing that helps - as it increases your daughter's immune system.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Willowbottom on November 30, 2008 at 10:30pm: Hi, Brittany - I agree with Megan. Check out the other posts. But, if your daughter is breast-fed, you are probably pretty good since her natural immune system is being boosted by yours.

At 2 months old, the immunizations for which she's probably a candidate are Hepatitis B, polio, rotavirus, DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine), Prevnar (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine), and Hib B (most commonly found as menagitis, I think).

Hepatitis B is a fluid-transfer disease (generally IV drug use, bodily excretions). Unlikely to contract on an airplane, I would think.

Polio is nearing global extinction, but not there yet. However, it's improbable you'd be on a plane with someone who has it and contract it.

Tetanus, just keep her from rusty nails on the plane. :)

However, for the other ones, as with all of them, there is some risk -- PARTICULARLY since you're on an airplane so you could be mixing with anyone from any place in the world. If you were keeping her at home, I'd be more likely to say "eh, skip it." But the airplane does introduce a new level of thought to this.

But, to answer your other question, I think you CAN be selective based on the probability of contracting the disease, what your own goals/preferences are, and how the disease is transmitted.

Good luck!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Working-mom-of-2 on December 1, 2008 at 10:28am: Hi there,

I would always prefer to go to my regular doc in cases like this. Nevertheless, depending on where you go and if you want to vaccine her anyway, what's the point in not doing it right away.
Don't forget however that your child is not immune yet after the first shot. She will need at least 3 shots (depending on the vaccine) to get to immunity and this takes time.

About the 4-in-1 shot I can only recommend to do this because then you are done with one shot. Otherwise your kid get 4 shots and 4 times the conserving fluid for the vaccine which is the thing that causes most problems.
Or better said.... can cause problems.

Good luck and enjoy your holiday !!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Wendey Tackett on December 1, 2008 at 6:25pm: Have you looked at The Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears? here's a web link fro some info.: http://tinyurl.com/yun7sq

I have selectively vaccinated mine on a different schedule. It has worked well for us :)

Good luck! ~Wendey
www.MommyJob.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nancy Tarr on December 2, 2008 at 11:17am: Hi,

Are you traveling out of the country? If so, that would be a good reason to vaccinate early. Otherwise, just hold your baby in a sling on the plane to protect her/him from the germs.

Do what you feel is best. Maybe I am too late though as today is Dec.2nd.

Nancy; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Danie Bell on December 2, 2008 at 12:41pm: Hi,
I would vaccinate before you go. I could not see our doctor when Lena was little, so I went to our local state health center and it was fine. Ifs just painful for the little one. I hate needles. Good Luck and have a safe trip.
Danie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jamie on December 3, 2008 at 12:59am: I would wait-
That is just me though as I like to give shots slowly and not all at once. You might feel pressured by your Doctor to get them all at once, but I just feel more comfortable being able to see how my child reacts on each one-

If need be, pick the shot that is most recommended.

Good luck on your plane ride-

Make her suck on something for departure and landing :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by hamsterkitten on December 3, 2008 at 8:06am: The odds that she will get something on the plane other than a cold virus are probably slim, but I am a mom who vaccinates. I have a 3 year old and 11 month old and have had them both vaccinated for everything suggested. When they are very small they get multiple vaccinations at the same time. My daughter would occasionally run a fever afterwards, which I hated, but my son has not had that happen once.

My suggestion is to get your daughter vaccinated before you fly.

www.hamsterkitten.blogspot.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Colleen Burns on December 3, 2008 at 11:56am: Hi, Brittany.

I'm not a doctor, but I do know from personal experience getting four shots at once can be dangerous. About a year ago my doctor's office loaded up my then 2-year-old son with four vaccines because he had missed one at the previous appointment. He ended up with a high fever for three days and eventually broke out into a measles rash. Some vaccines contain a live virus and if your child's immune system is suppressed..say because of getting too many vaccines at once...he/she can end up with a milder version of the disease you're trying to prevent. Don't know which shots you're considering getting, but if it were me, I would only get those for the diseases you can reasonably expect to be exposed to on the plane (i.e. flu) and wait for the rest.; ▶ Reply to This