Vaccines - Same day or spread out?

[Mehita]

DS is going in for his flu shot, a Hep B booster because he has no antibodies, and the second shot in the Hep A series tomorrow. My original thinking was just to do them all at once. One trip, one day of anxiety, yadda, yadda, yadda, done. Now I'm second guessing myself and thinking maybe we should spread them out. He's currently on Aza and pred, so his immune system is down already. Seems like an awful lot of antibody building in one day, don't you think?

What would you do? I will ask tomorrow when we get there. Maybe we'll just do Hep B and the other two a week later...

 

[Tesscorm]

I really have no idea whether, medically, it's okay or not but my preference would be to not to do it all at once for the same reason you mentioned...

 

[my little penguin]

Only reason not to do all in one day would be if he had an allergic reaction
Otherwise its not going to really tax his immune system much at all.
Remember these kids are on immunesuppresants because their immune systems tend to work more than the average kid so slowing them down brings it close to normal .

 

[araceli]

I would do one at the time just in case they get a reaction, at least I would know which one was it.

 

[Kev]

I would also be cautious, since the immune system is compromised. Put your doctor on the spot... ask for a professional opinion. The problem as I see it (but I'm no doctor) is that... the flu shot is 4 vaccines in one... Hep shots (up here at least) are two in one, so in fact you are looking at 6 different 'live' viruses (weakened, but still living viruses...er, virii???). Neither myself nor any of my children had any issues with shots above/beyond the typical run of the mill. And my doctors (GI & GP) recommended that I get my flu shots despite my Crohns... (keep in mind that LDN keeps my immune system normal)... so, I have no first hand bad experiences to relate as a cautionary tale, least as far as humans go. I do have one regarding a family pet. Years ago, I had to travel out of country on business. My parents (500 km away) were glad to have my kids stay with them while I was away... but our family dog... 'their' dog didn't accept interlopers. So, my only option was to kennel. Local kennels would only accept if all shots were up to date. Dog needed last round of shots... a three part, one shot, 'live' virus cocktail. Really simple. Right? Wrong. Week after shot, our dog developed AIHA (since renamed).
Stands for Acquired Immuno Hemolytic Anemia (Doggy equivalent of HIV without the sex)
My online research pointed a finger directly at the shots... vet reluctantly admitted to it. Incurable, usually. Vet volunteered to do anything/everything to save our dog. That involved massive doses of steroids (any of this sound familiar).. . Surprise, it worked... BUT... steroids so crippled the dog that she was in constant pain and suffering. So, the hard choice was made. 'Live' virus shots have been used millions of times safely, but is it risk free? I really don't know... A good doctor should. So, that would be your safe bet. Get an opinion, get the hard facts, or at least the stats. Then make the call.

 

[my little penguin]

The flu shot is not a live virus only the flu mist contains a weakened live virus.
That is why Ibd kids and asthma kids can NOT get the flu mist in the US.
They can only get the flu shot.

 

[Kev]

I thought (but then, thinking isn't my strong suit) that flu vaccines were universal. I get flu shots every flu season (our company provides them, but they are free here anyway.)
The staff who provide these shots advised us they were 'live' virus shots, although they were weakened. We had to sign off that we were made aware of this, and all of the side effects detailed to us... typical reactions, unusual reactions, life threatening signs to watch out for. Now, it may be there are differences between what one country buys from a supplier versus another, or it may be that these low rent medicos didn't know the difference.... but the documents we had to sign off on indicating we were apprised of the risks and willingly consented to same ... these also indicated they were live. Or it may be that children aren't given live virus injections. So, you need to confirm exactly what you are facing... preferably in writing. On office or clinic letterhead... just in case.

 

[CrohnsKidMom]

Well, this is very interesting... I used to get the flu shot for my kids when they were toddlers, and got them myself when I was expecting. I never had to sign off on anything for myself or kids. Kev, do you have to do this each yr when you get the shot?
I remember asking our GP why it is that some people seem to get the flu after the shot. She told me they are either having a reaction to the shot, or they got a different flu not contained in the vaccine. She said you can't get sick from the strain of flu contained in the vaccine as it is not a live virus. So, like the others, I have been under this impression. Mind you, it would not be the first time a doctor was misinformed... I'll definitely be checking in with the GI clinic now before I go ahead with the shots!

 

[Jmrogers4]

We are always asked which we would like flu mist (nearly dead live virus) or shot (dead virus) and were also told with Jack that no one in the family should get the "live" vaccine so we don't infect him so we all get the shot.

 

[Mehita]

Well, we did all three at once. The anxiety was simply too much. He was already crying on the drive over. The nurse said since he already had the first dose of Hep A and didn't react, he probably would be fine with this one as well. Then she put the flu in one arm and the Hep B in the other. We'll see...

Am I the only one whose kid completely freaks out with shots and blood draws? And it's not the needle that does it. He's watched them poke him. It's more the anticipation of pain and then the overreaction to the pain. At least I think it's an overreaction. I'm sure to him it's real. It's like he has no pain tolerance at all or his nerves are hypersensitive. How do you deal with that?

 

[Kev]

OK, yes... we have to sign off that we were informed... I think that is just to cover our company.. Thing is, because of the nature of the work, we're exposed to an awful lot. And the company... I don't want to use the word ... force... or pressure, but they FEEL strongly that employees SHOULD get the shot. For example, if you decline, get the flu, and miss work, it is invariably expressed that IF you had taken the company up on its offer, you wouldn't be missing work. Now, if you get the shot, then get the flu, no one has any comments to make. So, there is some subliminal, and not so subliminal influence put forward on employees to get their shots. Which might be grounds for action if there were extreme side effects... so the company insists that, if you don't get the shot, you sign off saying you declined. If you do get the shot (s) then you did so only after being advised of all the risks. It is mostly just beauracratic CYA. A totally different scenario if you go to a clinic or doctor and request them... no one is being pressured to get it.

 

[Stephyjane]

For blood tests and iv's they use numbing cream and cold spray, for shots nothing. I use distraction for Ella, normally a play therapist will come in with us and ask Ella lots of questions to keep her mind off what's happening.
Though last experience was a little different, they hit scar tissue and it was very painful.
We did get a buzzy, but Ella didn't like it. Distraction is definitely our best thing.

 

[Mehita]

We tried Buzzy today, but it didn't seem to work. Then again, DS was so upset even before we got to the clinic that I don't think Buzzy could stand a chance.

 

[Kev]

Well, this is a trick I used to use.. mind you, it is going back almost 30 year now.. but I'd apply liberal doses of the numbing compound you'd typically apply to a teething infants gums... spread it on to cover as much of the 'target' area the shot was going in (often I'd have to 'guess' where the shot would be, based on previous shots. Sometimes I'd see other parents coming/going and would find out where it was going to be), and let it set/work for 15/20 minutes before the shot. Wasn't infallible, nor 100% pain free, but it took the hard edge off. (every little bit helps). Then, after the shot, a baby aspirin (do they even make them anymore?) followed by a little dose of 'gripe' water (the type that had a bit of alcohol in it.. I doubt they make that anymore.. ah, the good old days).