Regarding the flu vaccine strains missing one that is going around:
http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2015/p0115-flu-vaccination.html
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6401a4.htm?s_cid=mm6401a4_w
This year’s vaccine strains are:
A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09
A/Texas/50/2012 (H3N2)
B/Massachusetts/2/2012
B/Brisbane/60/2008 (in quadrivalent vaccine only)
However, an H3N2 strain A/Switzerland/9715293/2013 that is different from A/Texas/50/2012 is going around.
I was supposed to have a meeting with my medical oncologist today to discuss chemo, but he cancelled. I had assumed it was storm related but it turns out he has the flu! How easy it is to forget that doctors get sick too.
Sue, I’m sending you the best of wishes for your meeting and treatment.
Thanks, romani. Been through this before so I know what to expect and have a good support system so I’m just eager to get going on whatever the next step is. You can see why I’m particularly concerned about the circulation of preventable illnesses right now.
Good luck, Sue. Sending you good thoughts.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/28/health/measles-antivaxxers/index.html
quoteIt’s an unseasonably warm day in Oakland, California, a perfect morning for Jennifer and Dave Simon to take their baby, Livia, out for a walk. But her stroller sits idle, and Livia is stuck inside the house – as she has been for nearly a month.
Livia isn’t sick, but doctors fear she might become the 53rd person to contract measles in a recent Disneyland outbreak. Now she’s in a 28-day quarantine, because of a family that refused to vaccinate their child.
It started January 2, when the Simons took Livia, who had a cold, to the pediatrician. Two days later, the doctor’s office called to say that a child with measles had been in the office that same day.
The Simons feared the worst.
[/quote]
As I said in post #1305 “I’m sorry, but I just don’t give a !@#$ about your kid.”
Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. I can’t even imagine what Livia’s parents must be going through.
Maybe people like Livia’s parents or the parents of the little boy with leukemia need to start suing. Except that I don’t know how they could know exactly who to sue. But these anti-vaxers are clearly depriving others of their freedom due to their own breathtaking selfishness.
You’re in my thoughts - hope all is going well.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/28/health/measles-antivaxxers/index.html
From the article:
Lady, they don’t give a flying flip about your child. Truly.
I accidentally stumbled onto an anti-vaxx post in my newsfeed today. Not realizing what it was, I glanced at a few of the comments.
It really, really made me want to throw up. Including calling Livia (see CNN link I posted) a government conspiracy designed to make all vaccines mandatory.
People absolutely disgust me sometimes. :-&
http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/28/health/measles-antivaxxers/index.html
** oops nrdsb4 beat me to it
I wonder why health insurers aren’t coming up with immunization requirements in order to keep coverage. At a minimum, I would think that they could rule that they will not cover treatment for any illness for which a vaccine was offered and was refused. It would be nice if for once, insurers could help solve problems instead of exacerbate them. It would actually save them some money, too.
I have an idea! How about school districts in California put all of the unvaccinated children in one school. Then they couldn’t hurt others. Just the voluntary non vaccinated, not the students who can’t be vaccinated for health concerns.
they should be homeschooled
If you want to keep your kids safe, then vaccinate them. If you can not vaccinate your kids keep them safe by home schooling them. Remember to value diversity and the opinion and cultures and values of others! Do not judge, do not impose your values, do not force your ideas and beliefs on others. We are all free to be our unique selves…remember! The culture of we are all special and deserve exemptions for anything and everything prevails. My rights trump yours and I can bring my service pig on the airplane because I have an exemption and I am special!
Seems easy to say if you’ve never had to make sure you have family health insurance to cover a kid with a life-threatening illness. Families who fail to vaccinate their healthy kids are making a decision. Parents of kids who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons have no choice.
@joblue, @silverlady - both very good ideas!!
@Suee 22: No one needs to have a job to obtain health insurance anymore. The ACA guarantees coverage and subsidies when needed. The family of the immune compromised child can home school, seems like it would take less time and effort than taking on the school system.
One thing is for sure…with all this recent media attention, I think the anti vax crowd is being forced into the limelight. Let’s hope that the unpleasant scrutiny causes some to more closely examine their choices. I suspect many might just reconsider their stance if suddenly the tide changed and repercussions (paying for illness for which vaccination is available) became a financial reality. God help the children of the foolish parents who choose to ignore the very serious reality of choosing not to vaccinate.
I disagree with forcing a child to be homeschooled because of a medical condition.
The ADA requires accommodations for children with limitations in their schools. IMO a very good case could be made for why the people who have a choice should not be allowed to trump the rights of the “disabled” child.
I hope the parents fight the school district tooth and nail. This child should not miss out on a school experience just because of the stupidity of parents. Nope.