[Stormster]

So as we all know, more and more parents aren't immunizing their kids. Recently, a friend had a baby and has now asked us to visit. I know they aren't immunizing. Heck she did natural childbirth AT HOME with her first child at age 44. But I digress!

With a 3 month old, I doubt that child has been exposed to much but can E give bring anything into their home? And later, when their baby is older, should I let E play with him? Is an immunized child at risk playing with a child who may or may not have contracted something (or is carrying something?)

What would you do?

[shy_bear]

In my mind you probably have has much risk going to the park,any play groups, library time, the store, bank, etc. Since so many people don't immunize and you don't know it. My son's first physical therapist did not immunize either of her kids and they were in an in home daycare setting. Obviously if the child is sick I would avoid contact, which you would do anyway.

[OakShannon]

I wouldn't worry about a 3-month-old because, as you said, he is unlikely to have been exposed to anything and 3-month-olds haven't been vaccinated against much yet anyway. And if E is going to expose the baby to anything, it is much more likely to be a cold than anything we vaccinate for. If he isn't symptomatic, I wouldn't worry. Although a thorough hand washing before touching a baby that young never hurts.

But you raise a valid concern. Vaccinations have made childhood so much safer. All you have to do is read about the ravages of polio or measles in other countries to realize how fortunate we are to have a population that is well vaccinated. People who do not vaccinate their children are only safe because other people do. So those diseases remain relatively rare. Unless a child has a health issue that makes vaccination dangerous or there is a religious objection, I personally think it is irresponsible not to vaccinate one's children. The societal cost of a large number of unvaccinated children is unacceptably high.

So do you let E play with him when he's older? It's a judgement call, I guess. The risk is very slight, particularly because E is vaccinated. But if there were an outbreak of an illness like measles, I would keep E away as a precaution.

[crystalp]

Maybe I can help with a story that happened to my mom just a couple of weeks ago. There was an outbreak of Whooping Cough in her town that started with an un-immunized family. Well, my mom got it, and still has never met the family that it started with. It was miserable for her. She has a nerve and spine condition called Syringomyelia and coughing causes extreme pain. I guess what I am trying to say is that my mom must have picked up the virus either at a store or else from her immunized grandkids that come to visit her home, because those are the only places she goes. Thank goodness she got over it fairly quickly with antibiotics. I guess I needed to get that off my chest.

[Stormster]

Anti-biotics for Whooping Cough? I didn't know that was a cure? I thought there was no cure.

[crystalp]

If you get the antibiotics soon enough it can shorten the duration of the illness and cut the amount of time you are contagious.

[Stormster]

Crystal that is pretty infuriating. So I guess immunized kids can carry it home to their un-immunized baby sibs and older people....? Ugh.

[Melcordell]

I have spoken with our ped about this issue, her response has always been that it isn't the kids that have the vaccine that you need to worry about. The vaccine should prevent your child from contracting anything.

[loveajax]

shannon, amen! crystal, i am so sorry...that is maddening.

[SupaModel]

At 3 months i wouldn't have a problem. When they are older I would say NO. Just because of kids are vax they can still pick up some of these illnesses.

[DPline]

Originally Posted by Melcordell

I have spoken with our ped about this issue, her response has always been that it isn't the kids that have the vaccine that you need to worry about. The vaccine should prevent your child from contracting anything.

My concern would be with young children who have not had the full series of shots still being at risk due to not being full protected. I am not a medical professional so if there is a pediatrician here who can address this I would be curious about it.

My kids are older and fully vaccinated, but I would be very concerned about my 1 or 2 year old being exposed and contracting evan a mild case of measles or whatever because of not being fully immune.

[BlessedbySnuggs]

I just wanted to point out that vaccines aren't 100% just like anything else in this world. You can get a flu shot and still get the flu. Your child can have all the vaccines in the world and if they are around children that aren't vaccinated, they can indeed get whooping cough, measles, or something else that very well could be life threating.

It is very scary that so many people are not vaccinating there children. There have been some recent outbreak with measles/mumps and it can be very serious. I can't remember the article I just read, but it pertained to children being exposed to children that aren't vaccinated and how dangerous it can be.

I know not everyone will agree with this, and that is fine, but our child's daycare and her school/daycare that she will be enrolled in next year requires ALL children to be vaccinated. I have to say it puts my heart and mind at ease.

I'm not saying you shouldn't let your child me around another child that isn't vaccinated, but there are risks. But there are risks with all kinds of things in life.

Good luck in your decision!

ETA: Here is one of the articles that I was talking about. Pretty interesting article....

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/21/us/21vaccine.html

[devildogwife]

If my child was healthy, maybe I would feel differently, but HECK NO. That is just not a risk I can take with Cameron's health. I would literally be gambling with his life. When Cameron starts playing with children, I will ask every single mom if their child is immunized. I'm sure that won't make me popular and I'm sure I'll offend some people, but if that happens, so be it. He's my child and I have to do what is right for him.

[chrisandaaron]

This is apparently a rising problem. When I took my baby in for her last set of vacs then talked me into a vaccine for whopping cough too. Something about unvaxed kids passing it adults who then pass it to their little ones who aren't completely vaxed yet. ( I think I got that right). Anyhow our local health department was offering the vax to all parents of children under 1 yo for FREE. They usually charge for adult vaccines. At first I declined, but then I realized that I probably see a fair number of unvaxed kiddos at work, so I did it.

Originally Posted by crystalp

Maybe I can help with a story that happened to my mom just a couple of weeks ago. There was an outbreak of Whooping Cough in her town that started with an un-immunized family. Well, my mom got it, and still has never met the family that it started with. It was miserable for her. She has a nerve and spine condition called Syringomyelia and coughing causes extreme pain. I guess what I am trying to say is that my mom must have picked up the virus either at a store or else from her immunized grandkids that come to visit her home, because those are the only places she goes. Thank goodness she got over it fairly quickly with antibiotics. I guess I needed to get that off my chest.

[nikkianni]

I have very mixed feelings on the whole issue, but I can say I wouldn't have a problem taking E over there at this point.