Last year's shopping, checklists, and bedding threads.

[TwoTimer]

DS goes to small LAC where the standard dress is jeans and t-shirts. However, found out first year that occasionally there are some "dress up" events ("dress up" could be anything from pants other than jeans and tops other than t-shirts to the stars the limit). For Christmas that year I got him a tux and dress shirt off of ebay for about $40 (The place he rented his tux for prom had his measurements.), and he's loved it!

[marite]

Coureur:

If someone already has had the polysaccharide vaccine, is there any need for the new one? S got the old one last summer.

[evitajr1]

IKEA has sheets for $2 each. Also, as to med records, just get a copy from the school nurse. They kept the records. I found it was easier and more expeditious that way, especially if there was more than one doctor throughout the years.

[coureur]

Marite -

Speaking as an immunologist (but not as a physician), I would say yes. I'm getting the new mennigiococcal vaccine for myself as well, even though I had the old one a couple of years ago.

[marite]

Thanks, Coureur. I will check into this. My S got the (old) vaccine free last year.

[Lhasa]

Thanks to all who responded re: immunizations. Our doc won't do them, so I'm calling the county health dept. this morning.

I know we need to get started on the HepB series of three shots spread out over a period of time. I will try to ask about the diff. in the meningitis vaccine, but I don't have high hopes of finding the new one. We're a rural county, and we ARE in the stone age.

[cangel]

Coureur beat me to it!

There is a new meniningococcal vaccine available, that offers longer immunity and seems to prevent transmission of meningococcal infection.

The CDC is recommending that 11 and 12 year olds, children entering high school, and college freshmen living in dormitories receive the vaccine. These recommendations will hold for a few years and the high school children will be dropped. The plan/hope is that all children will begin to be immunized at age 11/12. These recommendations led to an immediate shortage of vaccine (Great!), which will last about 3 years. The advisory panel that makes the scientific decisions for the CDC did not want to wait until the company could provide vaccine for everyone because of the ability of the vaccine to prevent transmission from person to person (in other words, if only some kids in the dorm or the high school classroom are immunized, that increases the "herd immunity", resistance of the entire population).

Coureur may know this - will the old vaccine also be available? I don't disagree with Coureur's plan to get the new if he can, but in the setting of an acute shortage, the old vaccine will definitely be better than no vaccine.

[coureur]

To the best of my knowledge the old meningiococcal vaccine will still be available. It still works as well (or poorly) as it ever did. Its FDA approval has not been revoked, and as long as some company can make money selling it, it will probably remain on the market.

[Lhasa]

I called the college nurse to ask about the meningitis/new vaccine vs. old vaccine. She said her D had the old vaccine last year, which is better than nothing, but her doc had suggested her D get the new one this year because it is better and gives longer-lasting immunity.

I cld our co. health dept. and was told they don't have/can't get even the old vaccine, but that the co. HD just over the state line has the old for $80. No info re: availability of new vaccine in this area.

[tabbyzmom]

Gee Marite, you asked the very question I was about to post. Thanx Coureur for the info. Will begin searching for the new vaccine.

[tsdad]

I just spoke with USC health services about the new vaccine. They have it but haven't written up their procedures for using it yet so they haven't determined when they will offer the shots. The nurse stated that because my son has the older shot two years ago she didn't believe he needed to get the new vaccine.

I just noticed I have been promoted out of the junior member category. I'm not sure if this is a good thing.

[Alumother]

tsdad - you get congratulations. This happened to me the other day. However then you have to go to cc detox...

[JeepMOM]

Menningitis vaccine - we had a terrible time finding this for my DD - health dept, md, pharmacy, vna - NOBODY had it - we ended up called the health center at the college - they would provide it 2 weeks after school started and because they do no billing - we had to pay for it - but then submitted it to our insurance company.

So best to start NOW to find/get it - the sooner the better.

[JeepMOM]

WD40 - If it IS supposed to move and doesn't............................

DUCT TAPE - If it IS NOT supposed to move and does........................

[JeepMOM]

HAHA I just noticed that I got the same promotion also rofl haha