Meningicocal meningitis vaccine?

I’ve heard that high school seniors should definitely be vaccinated before going off to college.

My understanding is that the dangers of thimerasol are associated with multiple vaccinations of infants and toddlers. It seems to me that a single vaccination of an older child should be relatively safe. However, I understand your dilemma, especially if you suspect your child’s neurological issues were caused or aggravated by early vaccinations. Perhaps you could start intensive immune-supportive supplements prior to vaccination to minimize any side effects?

If it were my child, I would probably either vaccinate or find some alternative to camp for the summer. Although the disease is rare, it’s so devastating when it does occur that I would not take the chance.

Nancy

Make no mistake, thimerosal, like all forms of mercury, is highly neurotoxic.

That being said, the average jab containing thimerosal has 25 micro units of mercury, grossly over-exposing an 8-20 lb infant according to accepted exposure levels, but probably within the range for a person whose central nervous system is fully developed and weighs more than 100 lbs.

Question: How many people contrat this disease each year and how many who do die from it? How does this compare to other risks your child faces, such as injury/death in an automobile crash, injury/death from violent crime, etc. It may be a health risk that is virtually non-existant for your child, sleepover camp or no. (It is common for people pushing vaccines to distort greatly both the efficacy of their product as well as the risk of it, and the camp may be using the obligatory shot against a rare occurance to show they are doing something to prevent what has occured once in your area.

I know that if it were me, I would pass and find alternatives for the summer. You will need to discuss this very closely with your dr., be sure to readfully the package insert for the jab, and learn a bit more about the frequency and severity of this disease bofore you decide what to do.

thanks dad, I was hoping you’d chime in.

Sleep away camp is happening shot or no shot. its a rite of passage , and will be a huge boost to his self esteem (we hope!) So the question really is whether the risk of exposure to this disease is greater than the risk of a vaccine.

Mind you, he had all his normal vaccines as a child and I never noticed a direct effect on him. Only recently have I become better educated about the fact that they may have contributed to his neurological issues, but then again having the chicken pox at the age of 2 weeks could also be a contributing factor. or genetics, or who knows what else.

I’m leaning against the vaccine right now. My pediatrician very honestly said he doesn’t have enough experience with the vaccine to advise me. They don’t recommend it routinely.

If you have any other thoughts on how to weigh the competing risks I’m open to hearing them.

KarenN,

I wouldn’t alter my summer plans because of the shot/no shot issue. After all, we just cannot live our lives in a bubble. There are dangerous toxins everywhere we turn, just as there is disease, and potential for disease. We must, of course, be very careful, and weigh the benefits vs. the risks, but this shouldn’t be taken so far as to become a paranoia.

That said, you are very wise to be asking these questions, IMO. There is much speculation about the thimerosal/neurological damage link in babies and toddlers, but not older children. But still, if it were me, I’d pass on the shot, but not camp.

www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-mening.pdf

Karen,

Check out the following chart dated March 2004 which shows that there is a form of the Meningicocal meningitis vaccine that does not have thimerasol. I had found another chart a few years ago online but can’t relocate it. It looks like if the doctor preorders the single dose he can get it without thimerasol. Look into it and let us know if it works out.

www.state.ma.us/dph/cdc/epii/imm/ vac_safety/rubberthierosal.pdf

helen , thanks so much.! I couldn’t get into that web site. Do you mind going into it and posting a contact number/name? I appreciate it!!

http://www.state.ma.us/dph/cdc/epii/imm/vac_safety/rubberthierosal.pdf

Brand: Menomune, Mannufact: Aventis, Packaging: single dose vial

If link doesn’t work try google with: Dry Natural rubber and Thimerosal Content of Vaccines

Karen,

Here is another table “Thimerosal Content in Some US Licensed Vaccines”
updated 04/22/2004
http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/thi-table.htm

Helen

Thanks Helen so much!!
It looks like the single dose shot is essentially thimersol free, so that makes me somewhat more comfortable doing it. (assuming the only impact is from the mercury and not some other weird effect of a vaccine!!)