VACCINE HELP

[schoonma]

Hi All,

I got a letter from my daughter's school saying she needs the Tdap vaccine, first dose. What is this for? I plan on rejecting it but I have to do it fast because I only have until Oct 16th to send in a waiver or they can fine you $25 a day or expel your child

Thanks!
Mary Ann

[trcg]

Tdap Vaccine
Combined Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap)


Tdap, sometimes known as dTap,[4] is the acronym for the collective [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccines"]vaccines[/ame] preventing [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetanus"]tetanus[/ame], [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphtheria"]diphtheria[/ame], and [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pertussis"]pertussis[/ame] in [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolescents"]adolescents[/ame] and [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adults"]adults[/ame] that were licensed in the United States in spring of 2005. These vaccines differ from the childhood [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DTaP"]DTaP[/ame] vaccines (brand name Daptacel) in their indication. As indicated by the lower case "d" and "p", the concentration of diphtheria and pertussis [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoids"]toxoids[/ame] has been reduced in these "adult" formulations to prevent adverse effects. Two Tdap vaccines are available in the U.S. Adacel, manufactured by [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanofi_pasteur"]sanofi pasteur[/ame], is licensed for use in adults ages 11 to 64. Boostrix, manufactured by [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GlaxoSmithKline"]GlaxoSmithKline[/ame], is licensed for use in adolescents ages 10 to 19.
The U.S.'s [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advisory_Committee_on_Immunization_Practices"]Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices[/ame] (ACIP) and Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) both recommended adolescents and adults receive Tdap in place of their next Td booster (recommended to be given every 10 years).[5] [6] [7][8] Tdap can be used as prophylaxis for tetanus wound management. Five years between doses of Td or doses of Td and Tdap is the current standard of care; frequent exposure to tetanus toxoid can cause local reactions. People who will be in contact with young infants are encouraged to get Tdap even if it has been less than 5 years since Td or TT to reduce the risk of infants being exposed to pertussis. The ACIP statement on Tdap use in adolescents encourages 5 years between Td and Tdap to reduce this risk; however, both suggest that shorter intervals may be appropriate in some circumstances, such as for protection in pertussis outbreaks. NACI suggests intervals shorter than 5 years can be used for catch-up programs and other instances where programmatic concerns make 5-year intervals difficult.
[edit] Thiomersal

In Europe, current DTP vaccines do not contain [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiomersal"]thiomersal[/ame], but older ones did. In the United States, with the exception of certain [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza"]flu[/ame] shots, children's vaccines have not contained thiomersal since 2001.[9] In [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand"]New Zealand[/ame], a DTP vaccine with the trademarked name Triple Antigen contains thiomersal 0.01% w/v.[10]

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DTaP immunization is a vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).
See also:

• Diphtheria immunization
• Tetanus immunization
• Pertussis immunization
• Tdap vaccine

Information

The DTaP vaccine is highly effective for the prevention of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis -- all of which are serious, potentially deadly, diseases. It is given by a shot (injection), usually into the arm or the thigh.
WHO SHOULD GET THIS VACCINE
DTaP vaccination is one of the recommended childhood immunizations. DTaP vaccine can be safely given to infants. Five DTaP vaccines are recommended. They are usually given to children at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years. DTaP immunization is generally required before a child can start school.
After the initial series of immunizations, a Tdap vaccine should be given around age 11 or 12, and every 10 years thereafter. This vaccine provides further protection against tetanus diphtheria, and pertussis, and is used as a booster.
DTaP is recommended unless there is a reason that the child should not receive the pertussis vaccine (such as allergic reaction), in which case a vaccine against diphtheria and tetanus (DT vaccine) should only be given.
RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS
DTaP may cause the following mild side effects, which usually only last a few days:

• Fever
• Crankiness
• Soreness at the injection site
• Vomiting
• Decreased appetite

Some health care providers recommend taking one dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) just before getting the vaccine to help avoid common, minor side effects. A warm, damp cloth or a heating pad may help reduce soreness. Frequently moving or using the arm or leg that has received the injection is recommended and often reduces the soreness.
Moderate to serious reactions are uncommon. They may include:

• Non-stop crying for more than 3 hours (1 in 1000 children)
• Fever over 105 degrees (1 in 16,000 children)
• Seizures (1 in 14,000 children)

Severe reactions are extremely rare, but may include severe allergic reaction such as breathing difficulties and shock. Such reactions occur in less than 1 per 1,000,000 children. Long-term seizures and brain damage are so rare that the association with vaccine is questionable.
Usually, a child who has had a problem with the DTaP vaccine can safely receive the Td vaccine.
CONSIDERATIONS
If your child is sick with something more serious than a mild cold, DTaP may be delayed until he or she is better.
The DTaP vaccine is not be recommended if the patient developed Guillain-Barre syndrome within 6 weeks of receiving a tetanus shot.
If your child has had any of the following reactions after an earlier DTaP, check with your health care provider before the child receives another one:

• Seizures within 3 to 7 days after injection
• A serious brain problem within 7 days after injection
• Seizures that get worse
• Other brain problem (at any time)
• Mouth, throat, or face swelling within a few hours after the vaccine is given
• Difficulty breathing (serious allergy) within a few hours after the vaccine is given
• Fever of 105 degrees or higher within 2 days after the vaccine is given
• Shock or collapse within 2 days after the vaccine is given
• Persistent, uncontrolled crying that lasts for more than 3 hours at a time after the vaccine is given

CALL YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF:

• You are not sure if your child should get the DTaP immunization
• Complications or severe symptoms develop after DTaP immunization
• Other symptoms develop after DTaP immunization
• You have questions or concerns about DTaP immunization

[HF]

Mary Ann, some people are about to avoid it by claiming a religious exception - sometimes this scares the Powers That Be 'cuz they don't want to Go There so they leave those families alone, LOL.

But, Dr. Mercola has written about it and provides a way to avoid them: http://newsletters.mercola.com/Refer...referral2.aspx

Good luck!

[Tina71]

How old is your DD? I figure they will be sending something home with my son soon or send me a letter. He is 12 and just started middle school. And he has not got his shots.

[Tina71]

Also, I never have heard of being fined. Hmm.... Here they just send a note home saying that they need the shot by a certain date or they can't come back to school until they get it. I don't many people here have used exemptions.

[rosetapper23]

Umm....just my two cents. Please don't mess with tetanus. The other stuff was just thrown in..and yeah, this particular vaccination is painful, but tetanus is a real threat. No one survives tetanus if infected.

[MommyRose]

Laura, the tetnaus vaccine is one we debated withholding from our kids until I did more research on it. One respected doctor I've read on, Dr. Mendelshon, stated that the vaccine has been watered down so much to make it safer that it was no longer effective. Here's a link to some info I just quickly found tonight: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/tetanus-vaccine.html Just thought I'd pop some info about tetnaus on here. Proper cleaning of wounds is most important. Choosing to vaccinate or not are tough choices and research must be done.

Good to see you, btw.

[Lori French]

But doesn't emergency rooms routinely give tetanus shots with all broken skin injuries?
Our daughter is highly allergic to the Pertussis vaccine and no one even questioned us..... We may have just been lucky!

[trcg]

The shot is not given if the person has had the Tetanus shot within the 10 yr time frame. Many adults don't remember the last time they got it so then the ER does give it. This is how it is done at our hospital anyway. They would rather you have the shot in your system than give it again.

Renee

[Blissful]

thanks for that link Rose!