<p>Thanks to all who responded re: immunizations. Our doc won’t do them, so I’m calling the county health dept. this morning. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Coureur beat me to it!</p>
<p>There is a new meniningococcal vaccine available, that offers longer immunity and seems to prevent transmission of meningococcal infection.</p>
<p>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).</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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 Its FDA approval has not been revoked, and as long as some company can make money selling it, it will probably remain on the market.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Gee Marite, you asked the very question I was about to post. Thanx Coureur for the info. Will begin searching for the new vaccine.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>I just noticed I have been promoted out of the junior member category. I’m not sure if this is a good thing.</p>
<p>tsdad - you get congratulations. This happened to me the other day. However then you have to go to cc detox…</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>So best to start NOW to find/get it - the sooner the better.</p>
<p>WD40 - If it IS supposed to move and doesn’t…:)</p>
<p>DUCT TAPE - If it IS NOT supposed to move and does…:)</p>
<p>HAHA I just noticed that I got the same promotion also rofl haha</p>
<p>I know that the bedding topic has been thoroughly explored, but I still have one lingering question. A couple of people I know have recommended getting a comforter in a full size-- not the twin – I think it is because it drapes over the sides of the bed and looks better and hides whatever is underneath. Most comforters I have seen are in a full/queen, not a true full size, and seem as if they would be too large. I know a larger than twin size isn’t really necessary, but is there really much of an advantage?</p>
<p>Personally, I love having extra lengths/widths in my own bedding. But really, most kids do not care. Students’ beds will go unmade, or hurriedly covered, for days and weeks (and months???). Nor do most kids, particularly the boys, care about what their beds look like. The college rooms I’ve seen (for both S and D) are an eclectic mix of parental attempts at college chic decor and students’ accessories which clash with that. Unless your child wants the bigger size (kicks off covers easily, etc.), I wouldn’t spend the extra $$. As for hiding what’s stored under the bed, neither of my kids nor their friends found that to be important.</p>
<p>I’m thinking a 2-person sleeping bag ought to do it. Bring it home on winter and summer breaks for a cleaning :).</p>
<p>For those of you who knit, here is a cute pattern for a school spirit scarf: <a href=“http://www.mspineapple.com/diy_scarf.html[/url]”>www.mspineapple.com/diy_scarf.html</a>.
(I think we will be doing ours in maroon)</p>
<p>And for you dads (and moms)who have to help tote all this stuff to the dorm get yourself a hand truck!
When my kid went to Harvard’s summer school we had to carry everything about 200 yards because of the parking issue. The hand truck saved my back.</p>
<p>what is an egg crate?</p>
<p>It is a foam cover that is shaped like the pockets in an egg box. If you put it on top of an uncomfortable mattress, it adds cushioning and also feels good on your back.</p>
<p>Be sure to check the list the college will send out concerning the dorm rooms. Some schools do not allow the egg crates because of fire codes. I’m not sure what the issue is, or why that would be a problem for the fire department (the material of the egg crate, perhaps), but check before you buy!</p>
<p>Last summer my D and I made a quilt together for her to take to school. Yes, it is big enough to cover the stuff she stuffs under her bed. We had fun doing it, she had a reminder of home and I get to think of it keeping her warm. For those who sew, I recommend it.</p>
<p>Back to the clothes: my sons go to Umich and both have found occasions to not only wear dress pants with shirt and tie, but a suit. They, however, were close enough to come home and get it. If yours would be very far away, I would hate for him to have to go out and buy one. Better to have it hanging in the closet never used than not have it when they need it.</p>
<p>Most of the times they’ve had to dress up have had to do with the fraternity. Either “chapter” meetings, or date events. One of the reasons I liked having them in the fraternity. It taught them that it’s not just mom that likes having them look nice.</p>