Nurses children and vaccinations, how do you feel?

DeLana_RN, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2007

I believe in vaccination, both for children (who have no say in the matter) and adults. Because of herd immunity, most kids who didn't get vaccinated (and are presumably home schooled) are pretty safe; however, if too many take this attitude, there will be no more herd immunity. Why should everyone else have to take the low, but real, risk of serious vaccine side effects?

As for adults, I always avoided the flu shot. Then I started thinking - yes, I never get the flu and very rarely a cold. But what about my patients - and now, as well, my 2-year-old twins? Do I have the right to put them at risk? No, and therefore I got the shot.

DeLana :)

P_RN, ADN, RN · Feb 17, 2007

My Mama nor I have any memory of my having chickenpox. BUT I got a roaring case of shingles with PHN a few years ago. I had them down into my ear canal and talk about painful.....but I digress.

We have a niece who home schooled her two kids, very anti- vax. They were sick all the time, coughs, colds, rashes etc. Now the oldest is college age and they had to search far and wide for a college that didn't require vaccinations. I only hope that it's accredited. And these parents aren't poorly educated. Mom has a Master's and Dad has a PhD.Both from Ga Tech. Mom's 2 sisters have "regular" families and kids are doing well. I guess time will tell.

GardenDove · Feb 17, 2007

I am pretty similar. There are many side effects to vaccines that have not been fully studied. Personally I would not feel comfortable giving my children routine vaccinations since the jury is still out on this one. I was fully vaccinated as a child and ended up with JRA, and the pediatrician told my parents to hold any further vaccines. I've grown out of it since then, but I don't want to take that risk with my own kids. But then again, I also believe in home birth and extended breastfeeding, so I'm just weird anyway :)

Wow, you sound like my kind of weirdo! :coollook: Call us eccentric, it sounds more dignified! Free and independent thinkers.

P-RN I've never heard of colleges asking about vaccinations. My 4 grown sons have had no problems, two are presently in college. My oldest was briefly in the Navy and thus was vaccinated against everything under the sun, of course.

Jo Dirt · Feb 17, 2007

I don't vaccinate myself or my children. This sometimes makes pro-vaxers irate but I have found the less people know about something the stronger their opinions tend to be.

General E. Speaking, RN, RN · Feb 17, 2007

I believe in vaccination, both for children (who have no say in the matter) and adults. Because of herd immunity, most kids who didn't get vaccinated (and are presumably home schooled) are pretty safe; however, if too many take this attitude, there will be no more herd immunity. Why should everyone else have to take the low, but real, risk of serious vaccine side effects?
As for adults, I always avoided the flu shot. Then I started thinking - yes, I never get the flu and very rarely a cold. But what about my patients - and now, as well, my 2-year-old twins? Do I have the right to put them at risk? No, and therefore I got the shot.
DeLana :)

:yeahthat:

JaneyW · Feb 17, 2007

I went to Cal State Fullerton back in the 80's and was required to show proof of an MMR booster. I got one at the health center and still use it for hospital jobs and clinicals for my graduate degree. Maybe it is just state sponsored schools or only in some states? I think if you are able to shelter your kids when babies (stay home with them and don't expose them to much) then vaccines may be optional. However, I would never forgive myself if I had an infant who died of something like Measles that is easily preventable with the vaccine.

JaneyW · Feb 17, 2007

I know I wouldn't have been able to attend the nursing school I went to (public school) without vaccines and a tetnus booster. I even had to prove immunity to varicella or get that vaccine. I am a perinatal RN and if I spread chicken pox through my unit, it could be a disaster for my patients and their babies. I know they recommend the meningitis vaccine for college freshmen who will be living in a dorm because of the close contact.

GardenDove · Feb 17, 2007

I don't vaccinate myself or my children. This sometimes makes pro-vaxers irate but I have found the less people know about something the stronger their opinions tend to be.

Another heretic! We should start a club! I can't believe it, I didn't know there were other nurses like me!

arizonanurse · Feb 17, 2007

Another heretic! We should start a club! I can't believe it, I didn't know there were other nurses like me!

Neither did I :) It's nice to find other heretics out there.

Seriously though, sometimes I DO feel like a hypocrite when I vaccinate babies at work, or give the flu shot (which I have serious doubts about the effectiveness of, but that's another story) or give Tylenol for a temp of 101...and then go home and tell my friends not to worry unless their fever is over 104 and not to take anything to bring it down because it's the body's way of fighting off infection.

dream'n, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2007

I think of myself as very educated when it comes to vaccines, and I tend to take a moderate stance. I spent several years as the primary vaccinater and educater in a Ped./FP office. I believe that the mortality risk of certain diseases outways the possible side effects of the vaccine, also the fact that they have been in widespread use for a long period of time recommends them; ie MMR, Polio, tetorifice. But I do have issues with some other vaccines. I did get my children the Varicella vaccine, but now really wish that I didn't. I wonder if the immunity from the Varicella vaccine will wane, perhaps when they are 30, or 40 years old. Not a good senario, but possible. Look how they recently found that Pertussis immunity wanes over the years. After many people came down with whooping cough including myself, they now have come up with Tdap. I very recently read that some questions are arising on the Rotovirus vaccine. They pulled it off the market several years ago, and this new one (released in 2006) was supposed to be safe. I am also concerned with the new Zostavax. It was released and much hyped in the media, but the ACIP hadn't even released guidelines, the CDC couldn't even answer questions when contacted regarding its use. Yet many people flocked for it right away. Fairly recently, one of the pharmacists I worked for said he had heard there are now some questions regarding its alledged safety. So personally, I am not for or against vaccines in general. I cheerfully administer them to my patients, if the Dr orders and the patient so chooses. I just think each vaccine's risk/benefit needs to be judged seperately.

GardenDove · Feb 17, 2007

Neither did I :) It's nice to find other heretics out there.
Seriously though, sometimes I DO feel like a hypocrite when I vaccinate babies at work, or give the flu shot (which I have serious doubts about the effectiveness of, but that's another story) or give Tylenol for a temp of 101...and then go home and tell my friends not to worry unless their fever is over 104 and not to take anything to bring it down because it's the body's way of fighting off infection.

I always ask my pts if they are uncomfortable, regarding their temps. I sincerely believe the healthcare is about choice. I agree, I never medicated my kids' temps. Instead I wrapped them up in warm blankets or gave them a hot bath. The body feels chilled because it NEEDS a temp to do it's job!

buddiage · Feb 17, 2007

I am on another forum that is very anti-vaccinations for children (or anyone for that matter), and it got me thinking how do nurses and other healthcare workers feel about vaccinations and anti-vaxer's. Most of the posters on that forum are very hostile to anyone in healthcare and no matter what a healthcare worker posts it is always wrong or they are spying for "The Man". They tend to see healthcare workers as uninformed, uneducated, and uncaring. How do you feel about vaccinations for yourself or children? Do you ever have people that are very anti-vaccination and what reasons do they give? And do you think that most people that decline vaccination are informed about or understand the effects of the route they are taking? I am not trying to judge, I am just very curious.

Gosh, you know, life is hazardous to your health.

I am a nursing student, and I am taking a risk either way on the issue.

I do believe the need for boosters aren't as much as for the initial vaccinations, but I am for vaccinations.

I realize that there is risk with getting the vaccination. I realize there is a risk NOT getting the vaccination.

I remember being on the "don't vaccinate" bandwagon before I went to school. Looking back, I realize that I read one-sided arguements. I had no knowelege of how our immune system works, and my sources of information were "alarmist" and not really reputable.

It's entirely a parent's choice on the matter- but that being said, it is irresponsible to exhagerate information and proclaim it as truth. Our society is healthier for being mostly vaccinated.