Vaccination Issues - need advice.

[BabyCleo]

Ive posted about this issue before, some of you may remember. Just a disclaimer - Im NOT here to start a debate over vaccinations. Everyone has their own opinions, its just I have a more rare situation.

My sister and I have always had severe rare reactions to vaccinations. We are fully vaccinated, but it was always pure hell having them done. My sister has stopped breathing and had seizure - like episodes, and ive stopped breathing too. It dosent seem to matter which ones we had, this happened all the time. We were born and raised in Australia (live in Canada now) and in Australia we had our shots in clinics, so medical staff and equipment were there to save us. Here in Alberta Canada, they only offer vaccinations at public health centers. Only nurses.

So of course im worried about my almost 2 month old baby, her shots are booked for Aug 4, but because of the severe reactions that run in my family I have no idea what may happen. I want precautions in place so if she does take after my side of the family she will be worked on right away. So I called my public health center and asked them what procedure is, and they told me they have NOTHING on site and would have to call 911. .... Are you effing kidding me? She tried to tell me that the hospital is "only 15 min away" ... umm 15 min is a LONG time if someone stops breathing. She told me to book it at another center AGES away from here (we don't drive) so if she stopped breathing I could run her body across the road to the ER. I just hung up the phone.

They don't give a sh*t about what could happen. I know its rare, but it runs in my family. I have a RIGHT as a mother to protect my baby. I called a health line for advice and the nurse there told me I was 100% right and I should see if I can get my pediatrician to demand they be done elsewhere, but I cant get in to see her. I have no idea what to do, it feels like im walking my baby into her possible death.

What do I do? My hands are tied it feels like. In Alberta there is an outbreak of whooping cough, so I do want her immunized - but whats the point if the vaccine itself is a higher risk? Im so scared.

 

[Pink Sarah]

I would make the paediatrician appt for as soon as possible. I'm in the UK and they say the vaccination ages ie. 8 weeks, 12 weeks etc are just a guide. My lo was 10 weeks old before he got his as couldn't get an appointment. Hopefully there will be no issues and then you can book with nurse for the others. Fingers crossed for you all is well!

 

[BabyCleo]

Thanks Unfortunately, I checked about later dates but because no one told me I need to book literally as soon as she's born, I couldn't get one (if I cancelled) till shes 4 months old. Do you think that's too late?

I have no idea if even delaying it will help. Im just a mess.

 

[staralfur]

You really should have no problem getting it done somewhere with doctors on hand, my blood pressure hits the floor whenever I get shots and I used to pass out, so I always had them done at clinics when I was growing up instead of in schools/public health offices (and I grew up in Alberta). It can definitely be a wait to make a new appointment but I think it's obvious that you would be much more comfortable with it. Have you and those who are in regular contact with your LO had the DTap recently?

 

[lau86]

In the uk you can get them done in hospital, I'm not exactly sure what the criteria are but do you have a general doctor/ paediatrician you can ask? I don't think you're being unreasonable at all.

 

[BabyCleo]

Well, ive made a TON of calls today and they REFUSE to do anything but have it in the public health center. I don't know if its changed recently, but there is nothing I can do. For me to have "special consideration" this is what HAS to happen (which is disgusting im my opinion)

- I have to have the vaccinations done in the public health center, I have no choice. In order for them to consider her having them elsewhere/exempt they have to SEE her go into shock, endangering her life. All the nurses know CPR, and can call 911. That's their "emergency plan". If she does have this happen, the public health center will then send a report to the health ministry of Alberta and she will then be given a document that makes her exempt from further vaccinations.

So, they actually need to watch her life come into danger. Ive done everything, I even offered to pay out of pocket to have them done at her doctors office/hospital. They say its "impossible." I asked what happens if someone knows they have a reaction, they state that then they need written proof (I guess a report) which they will then decide what to do.

My husband is at the point of refusing vaccinations, and ive been in tears for days. Im being a responsible parent and warning them of a potential life threatening issue, but they are all turning away. They need to see her almost die in order to make a change. That's the rules, and everyone has to follow them.

I will go into that health center Tuesday and tell the nurse the history, and tell her that I have now stated (on record) that this is a potential issue and they have refused to help me in protecting my baby. I will NOT sign any waivers if they want me too, as they will be responsible if something happens. As a mother, im trying to protect my baby - how can healthcare do this to us?

 

[lau86]

That's just ridiculous. I guess you need to be deciding whether you want her to have the immunisations or not. That's what herd immunity is for, and if you found a more suitable solution down the line you could do that.
I'm very pro vaccinations but I would be reconsidering in your situation.

 

[sethsmummy]

This is a hard one. I would find out how long it would take an ambulance to get there if anything happened. The fact they all know cpr is good as that is the first port of call but if an ambulance can't be there in mere minutes then I would put them off.

Just to add. My son stopped breathing as a newborn and it took ten minutes from it starting to ambulance getting here with him just taking a couple gargles gasps and he has no ill effects that we know of (it was nothing to do with immunisations) but I just thought this might help soothe a little worry you shouldn't have to be in Thai situation though. It's rediculous xx

 

[BabyCleo]

Thanks. I asked, they said an ambulance would be there in 15 min. To me, that's way to long.

I have a sliver of hope though: I spoke to a paediatrician on call (in the same office as LOs doc) and she has fully backed me up. She told me the system is BS and that there is NO way I should be putting my baby at risk. She said that ive been backed in a corner, and ive tried to do the right thing by obeying the law, and informing them of a potential issue. She confirmed that if something happened - they wouldn't be held accountable.

She told me that the nurses I spoke to have been lying. They actually DO offer immunizations in hospital.. BUT its only to inpatient children and babies. A health team goes to the hospitals once a week and administers vaccines to children and babies that are currently staying in the hospital. She told me to cancel my appointment, call LO doctor (who she actually works with) and ask her to get on board with me (she things she will) and see if we can bend this stupid system and get my LO into hospital the day they do the immunizations there. That way, im already in a hospital and my LO will have all the help she needs if anything happens. Its a long shot, but ill do what it takes.

She also pointed something else out: She told me that its in THEIR best interest to have my baby immunized. If I refuse to do it until I get it my way, they will eventually cave and allow this to happen. Its not like im refusing to do it in general - im more than willing to have it all done as long as its done in a much safer environment. She told me they will eventually just give in and let me have it my way.

I feel better, but im still nervous. Its beyond stupid that im having to do this. But, as a mother I will protect my child and I don't care how many people I piss off in the meantime. Its wonderful to have a doctor on board with me, it reassured me that im not overreacting.

 

[Perplexed]

I'm glad that you have a dr on board with your case and hope your baby's dr also agrees. you're doing great standing up to them to protect your child. Would definitely refuse till I get my way if it were me.

 

[sethsmummy]

So glad you've found someone on board with you Hun. I really hope you can get lo into hospital on the day. Maybe get her admitted for observation for something. My lil guy was admited by his paed for observations with temperature drops. One day and one night then we were out again.

I think as parents we will never get far with medical teams unless we ruffle a few feathers. I've done it plenty for my eldest son and now again for my youngest xx

 

[StranjeGirl]

This is seriously insane!!! Honeslty it doesn't matter who is help responsible. If something happens, in the long run it is your family that will pay the emotional price, not the nurses or anyone else- so only do what you are comfortable with. Personally if it were me, I'd be holding on on vaccines unless I could get them done in the hospital. I see how it is such a hard decision, because if your LO catches something then you would feel guilty. However, I would imagine that with your family history, statistically your LO has a higher chance of having a reaction to a vaccine then catching the disease. I hope that somehow you can get in when they are doing them in the hospital

 

[BabyCleo]

Thank you for the support ladies I was able to book into to see her doctor next Tuesday, and im going to ask her to figure something out with us. I hope she agrees and has the same values as her co worker does. Im going to make it clear she will not be vaccinated until its done in hospital. They will be there already, im not asking for much.

Here they really want you vaccinated - so when they ask I explain that im willing as long as its done my way. Eventually they will cave. I cant believe I have to do this - how can a system be so screwed up