Advice on the Meningitis Immunization

Unfortunately you usually only hear about it when someone dies from it, and it most definitely does happen. I would say do some research on your own and really discuss it with you doctor, particularly the fact you are hesitant. Sometimes they will then be able to explain better why they think it is neccessary, and if they don't explain their thoughts then I would also get a new doctor! As with all vaccines there are risks and benefits and its a decision you have to make according to what you think is best for your children. Just be sure to do some research and definitely don't rule it out. As others mentioned, many colleges highly recommend it for dorm life as well.

M. ~ Proud mom of two: ages 4 & 6wks, and an RN

Hi J.,

I would definitely recommend that you do it. I lost my best friend to meningitis when she went away to England to study abroad for a year, at the age of 20. She hadn't been vaccinated for this disease. After being in England for about 4 months, studying and staying in on-campus housing, she went out with some friends one Saturday afternoon, and started to feel sick in the evening, with flu-like symptoms, so she went home and went to bed, and they found her dead the next day (it was an extremely virulent strain that she contracted).

In spite of the fact that we don't hear about this disease all that often, it is a very real threat to people who have not been vaccinated because it can be transmitted through saliva, ergo, very easily, by sharing a drink with someone, or simply if someone coughs close to you without covering their mouth.

Needless to say, I had my two year old vaccinated against meningitis (I think the first shot was when she was around 9 months old), even though at the time it wasn't included in her immunization schedule (although now it is). She was fine and had no side effects, except for sleeping more for a couple of days, which is what usually happens with her vaccinations. Good luck with your decision.

It is required for College, fyi.

And.. if it's caught.. it could be deadly..

And it tends to spring up in bursts instea dof a constant one or two cases.

All it takes is sharing a sip of a drink or laughing face-to-face ahrd with someone.. and they can get it.

All of my cousins old enough (say 20...) and I have all gotten the shot.. and we are all fine from it.. and safer for it.

And if your doctor is reccommending it... it is worth a shot.. no pun...

Look stuff up onlune for yourself.. make sure you get both good and bad... the anti-shot communities seem to be easier to look up.. but becareful of evidence quoted.. try to find the medical studies yourself.. how wide were they conducted? How were the results actually stated instea dof interpreted... and most importantly.. even if not this... then make sure you think..

Do you trust their doctor? Have they always been good to you? Given you decent adivce? Then there is your answer...

I'm not sure about this as my kids are 4 and 5 months- but you should check out The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert Sears. He has a website too.http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/
I seem to remember reading something about this in his book - but don't have it handy to check. He's done a nice job on bringing so much info together. Good luck. With the recent deaths in the area I'd be very tempted to go for the vaccine - though I'm leary of too many....

Give it to them. When I was in college it became a requirement to have the shot to live on campus. I wouldn't be suprised if it was required in high schools as well. Meningitis isn't something you want to risk getting.

D.

Hi J.-
My son contracted this when he was six months old. He had not been vaccinated yet (they start at 9 months I think). Luckily an amazing group of Dr's reacted quickly enough and they were able to save him and (knock on wood) he has had no long term side effects. GET THEM VACCINATED!!! It's real, it's neccesary. If it could happen to us, it could happen to anyone.

absolutely get it. it protects one of the bacrerias for meningitis also ear infections and one other thing. since my dauter got the vaccination she has not gotten another ear infection

most colleges require the meningitis immunization now

I was immunized against meningitis in England when I went to University ( I am British). It was optional, but at that time their had been some breakouts at unis and so I decided to have it. I think you can only be vaccinated against a couple of the forms of meningitis and I don't think the most dangerous form is covered. I would ask my pediatrician. And then I guess it is up to you!

All my kids had the meningitis vaccine. It's required by almost every college currently. In the teen/early adult years the kids are close and share drinks, food, kisses, etc which is exactly how meningitis is spread.

Hi J.,

The vaccine is typically recommended for when you're sleeping in close quarters with others on a regular basis, like in a dorm. My daughter's sleepaway camp recommended it, and I'm not big on vaccines, so I asked our doctor and he told me that he doesn't recommend it until they go away to college. If there's no dorm like situation coming up, it's really not routinely recommended.

A freshman at a local college just died yesterday of meningitis, not to influence your decision but yes it is around.

Get the vaccine, I just got my daughter who is 15yrs old the vaccine, at her pediatricians advice. Meningitis is here...children are dying. Came to work this morning and read an inter-office email, that one of my co-workers son died of meningitis on friday, 18 yrs old. Please everyone get this vaccine.

It is now a standard vaccine that is incorporated into a child's vaccine schedule. They are recommending that older kids and teens that are done with their immunizations get the vaccine because of how dangerous the infection can be and how easily it can spread in school situations. My son received it already as part of his immunization schedule (he is only a year old). Just a quick FYI: vaccines have a 75% effectiveness rating, meaning that 25% (on average) of people that receive a vaccine can still contract that illness.

HI J.,
Until recently I worked in a pediatrician's office and did so for over 10 years. I gave many of the meningocaccal immunizations. I think that with the increase of kids going off to college and living in dorms the risks of contracting the disease is higher. Kids can get it from sharing saliva so teens are at great risk there as well, sports bottles, soft drinks and kissing. The thing about getting the first dose in the teen years is good because they will need a second dose in 3 years. Kids getting before they go off to college rarely get the 2nd dose before they graduate, leaving them unprotected. I am an advocate for the shot because kids who get menningitis usually end up in the hospital and can even die if untreated. A doctor that I worked for had a chld who had it and he was one sick sick child.
So I say yes I think it is good to get and the side effects of the shot are very mild to none on a usual basis.
M.

My son received the meningitis vaccine and it really took him months to go back to normal. He lost all energy and was very lethargic. There is a nerve disorder that was published in the New York Times in 2005 from the vaccine but it was only 5 cases in the country that were documented. If you type the word meningitis on the home page it will bring you to the article. It is a hard decision but only you alone can make it.

I had meningitis when I was 3 years old and I was lucky. My Mother found me in bed with my eyes rolled back in my head, unable to wake me up. I had a temp of 106 and was in a coma. I had a wonderful doctor who acted quickly and I was lucky that I had no effects from this illnes. Many are deaf, blind and a handful of other effects from having meningitis. I think we are lucky that they have this vaccine available now. I would discuss the risks and what you are worried about with your pediatrician. I think it is definitely a good idea for them to get it before they attend college if that is in their plans. Good luck and I hope you find the answers you are looking for!

There certainly have been several recent meningitis cases in the Hudson Valley region. The one I specifically remember was a young girl at college. She is now dead. Get the vaccine.

A.

Definately get it! I got it for my daughter when she was 13 before she went to sleep-away camp. It was highly recommended. They seem to see it a lot in schools, camps, college, etc. I believe it lasts 10 years. She didn't have any side effects from it.

Just because you have not heard of it being in the area doesn't mean that it can't turn up all of a sudden, and if your daughters are already protected with the vaccine, you don't have to worry about them when it does turn up. Also, when they go to college, it's more likely than not that they will be required to get it before they start living on campus-living in close quarters in dorms can increase the likelihood of any infection spreading, not just meningitis.

Meningitis-inflammation of the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain-is a dangerous infection. I'd get it for my daughters if I were in your shoes.

Meningitis is relatively rare. But if an outbreak should happen it could be easily looked after or it might cause death. Go into google and read some of the articles.

M.

my kids have had it. it was mandatory for their camp.

I absolutely would! It is most prevelant with young adults in high school but especially college! With that being said your children would be ready for dorm life with the vaccination. I would not hesitate on this one.

L. ~ Mom of 6, Proud Navy Mom of 1!

EDUCATE yourself on this disease/virus which can be deadly. Either go to your library or go to the cdc.gov site.

This disease is usually high among teenagers because of the touching and physical closeness or sharing of everything they are always engaged in.

There are two different types of this disease. One is bad and the other is deadly. I was exposed to the bad one, by the time I realized it, I could barely walk. I was hospitalized for a week. I have a high immune system, so I was lucky.

Remember: The same illness can be different for many people. This is one that you need to be educated by doctors or officials. This is not something to fool around with.

About myself. I am an old Black woman now living in New York.

i have only heard of certain colleges recommending it. it sounds like your daughters are too young - i know i wouldn't want my daughters to be the the guinea pigs...

J., my 2 older children are in college and opted not to get the meningitis vaccine. My oldest lived on campus at the University of Hartford for the first 4 years of college. The school said unless they have someone come down with it she could stay on campus, their was never a case. Her last year(she changed majors)lived off campus with my son who is now a junior at the University of Hartford, our physician felt it was not necessary for him either. I still have 2 more sons, one is 12 and the other is 9, I guess I will have to wait and see how many cases are out there. My nephew had meningitis at the age of 5 so like you I questioned it, but according to what I have read the shot is really for students living in dorm type settings. Surf the net, do some extra research before making your decision and definitely check the data yearly, I do. Hope I was of some help.
T.