Vaccinate your fucking kids.

[mathnerd]

I'm sitting in a doctor's office with all of my kids because my oldest has a highly preventable but potentially deadly and contagious disease that *they* are vaccinated against. Why did he get it? Because the twatwaffles that won't vaccinate helped create a strain that's infecting even the vaccinated population. I have one kid that's a mere six days post-op. He hasn't tested positive yet, but everybody in the house needs to be treated. Speaking of that, did I mention that the 60 year old woman I live with doesn't have health insurance yet? I'm so angry I could scream.

[Sarah Valentine]

I hated getting shots when I was growing up I still hate it now, but I realize that it's something that needs to be done. It's not just for personal health and safety but public health and safety, that's what these people don't get it's not just about you but everyone else around you. Everyone has different immune systems and might not be able to fight off whatever the hell it is.

[anakhouri]

Preaching to to the choir. I am so pro-vaccination it isn't even funny. Immunize, immunize, immunize and don't believe idiot celebrities who persist in opening their stupid mouths when they are not and never will be scientists.

[Sarah Valentine]

When I was writing that up yesterday I forgot to add that the only shot I and most other people in my family refuse to take is the one for the flu every year.

[BlaqueKatt]

When I was writing that up yesterday I forgot to add that the only shot I and most other people in my family refuse to take is the one for the flu every year.

That's odd, considering the flu can be just as deadly as other diseases(and current research shows that persons with egg allergies are fine to take it). And granted it's a guess at which strain will be common, but it still conveys some immunity even if it's a different strain.
cdc flu vaccine facts

If the viruses in the vaccine and the influenza viruses circulating in the community are closely matched, vaccine effectiveness is higher. If they are not closely matched, vaccine effectiveness can be reduced. However, it’s important to remember that even when the viruses are not closely matched, the vaccine can still protect many people and prevent flu-related complications. Such protection is possible because antibodies made in response to the vaccine can provide some protection (called cross-protection) against different but related influenza viruses.

And the "flu vaccine causing the flu" is a myth.

As a matter of fact the one time I ever caught the flu a friend brought me chicken soup, he likely caught it from me and died from the cytokine storm it caused. I've never missed a year since.

Cytokine storms are most likely to occur in perfectly healthy individuals between the ages of 20-40.

[anakhouri]

I never had the flu shot before I had a kid. Now I get it every year and since I;m pregnant they've advised me to get it this year too as I'm not due until the end of October.

Perfectly healthy 20-something me never got the flu, but I am not taking chances with a small child in the house. He gets the FluMist stuff himself.

[mathnerd]

I realized that I didn't name the disease. My kid has Pertussis, aka whooping cough. We were in the ER again last night while they gave him additional meds and supportive oxygen. They were debating admitting him, but since it was a slow night and he'd already gotten his first dose of the antibiotic used to treat it, they decided to just observe him for a few hours and make a decision in the morning. He's doing much better now, but he shouldn't be sick at all. Grrrrr.

And the flu vaccine is the only one I don't get. I've tried to get it numerous times, and I've had a violent reaction to it every time. In my case, my doctors advise against it based on past history, but if that weren't the case, I'd be getting it every year, as my kids do.

[BlaqueKatt]

They were debating admitting him, but since it was a slow night and he'd already gotten his first dose of the antibiotic used to treat it

The antibiotics just make you non-contagious, it actually does little to help with the duration of illness unless started early(before the coughing) , my sister just had it a few years back. In case they didn't tell you, it's a really cruddy illness.

They didn't tell her it wouldn't help her recover(she would've still taken it, to prevent infecting others), and went back in two more times because she wasn't getting better, and still no one told her, she's now justifiably lost a bit of trust in medical professionals due to it. -_-

[Greenday]

I'm up to date on all my regular vaccines and I've had to get some extra for ones that I'll never encounter in the US (Smallpox, Anthrax to name a few). I never got the flu shot until I went to Afghanistan and I've never had the flu before but now that I've gotten the shot once, I get it every year. It's covered completely by my current health insurance and I have no negative side effects from it so I see no reason to get it.

The anti-vaccination movement is based completely upon lies and false studies that have been proven fake. Not vaccinating (Unless there's a medical reason not to) is an act of sheer stupidity.

[protege]

I never got the flu shot until I went to Afghanistan and I've never had the flu before but now that I've gotten the shot once, I get it every year. It's covered completely by my current health insurance and I have no negative side effects from it so I see no reason to get it.

I've received the flu shot the past couple of years. Not because I fear the flu, but because my recent breathing problems make getting sick that much worse. I can handle being sick, but not being able to breathe as well? Do not want. Besides, it's not like the shots are expensive. Nearly all of it (except for the $5 copay) is covered by insurance, so why not?

[TheHuckster]

I have a fear of needles. It's definitely more than just "I hate needles." I truly get into panic attacks and have even had near-fainting spells as a result of them, despite my rational side of my brain trying to convince my irrational side that it's okay.

It takes a lot of courage, but I'm going to get a TDap booster, which is one of the more painful shots around (since it goes into your muscle and can have lingering pain for the next several days). Because I know in my heart that lockjaw is far worse than the shot itself.

[mathnerd]

Ask your doctor what he/she recommends to take for pain relief and then take it about an hour before you get the shot and then on schedule for a few doses afterwards. I've found that doing that helps reduce the pain associated with shots quite dramatically.

[Seshat]

Also, have your doctor prescribe you a calmative, and have a stronger one on hand in case you do have an attack. And ensure the nurse giving the shot is one of the ones who sympathises with genuine panic attacks and knows how to best handle it.

You'll probably do best lying down, facing away, and talking about anything except the shot. Talk about your favourite sports team/variable star/hybrid rose.



As for vaccination in general: major yes here. Herd immunity +++!

[fireheart17]

I have a fear of needles. It's definitely more than just "I hate needles." I truly get into panic attacks and have even had near-fainting spells as a result of them, despite my rational side of my brain trying to convince my irrational side that it's okay.

It takes a lot of courage, but I'm going to get a TDap booster, which is one of the more painful shots around (since it goes into your muscle and can have lingering pain for the next several days). Because I know in my heart that lockjaw is far worse than the shot itself.

If you can, try your non-dominant arm. Also if you have a music player, take it with you. It's how I got through my dental appointments and Implanon-related appointments.

[XanthusLane]

The anti-vacc crowd drives me crazy with their tinfoil hat mentality.

I am friends on FB with someone I met in college. I graduated with everyone else in our class but she dropped out halfway through. We all still maintain contact but ever since she had her 2nd kid (who is approaching a year old), she's gone off the deep end with this, among the other paranoid (and somewhat questionable) things she is doing or not doing.

The rest of her friends (from what I can see from her posts and their comments) and our mutual friends keep trying to tactfully and indirectly (as to not offend as much as possible) tell her what she is doing is dangerous to herself, her kids and to others' kids but she won't listen. Sigh.