How are you going about asking people to be vaccinated?

[islandgirl14]

I will not be asking or having that conversation... to be honest, it's way outside of my comfort zone to be requiring people be vaccinated before being around us. Fortunately those closest around us I know do vaccinate, so it's pretty much a non-issue in my mind... however, there are a few that I don't know there stance on vaccinations, but I will not be doing any digging to find out, nor making up front requirements. My only criteria for visiting is that nobody in your house can be sick if you're visiting us, and wash your hands before you hold the baby! Maybe my stance is a bit loose, but it's how I feel!

[wegrowsheep]

My mom has a handful of preschoolers over for "Farm Kid Day" once a week, and we will be double checking their vaccine status, since we are there frequently. But that's about it.

[tatersalad]

I'm not asking anyone about their vaccinations, and I'm not asking my parents or friends to get any boosters. I also don't carry around hand sanitizer and ask people to use it before holding my baby. Regular hand washing is fine. The one thing I won't be doing is taking the new baby into my son's pre-school until he has had his two month shots.

[mrskblack11]

My OB has a poster up that they recommend anyone coming in contact with the baby have the TDAP booster. Apparently the county I live in has a high rate of pertussis. Last year one infant died from pertussis. I have already let my close family know that I would like them to check to make sure they are up to date on TDAP. I would assume most of my family is up to date so I am not overly concerned.

[turtletyme]

I will ask our siblings and parents. My plan was to approach it breezily (ie "hey do you have all your shots?") and tell them it was recommended by my OB and PCP. If they don't comply, there's not a lot I can do, I guess. I expect it to be at least a minor point of contention with my in laws, because everything is a slight or reason for them to be butt hurt.

[mrsdee1982]

Here is the email I sent to my folks, my IL's, my SIL and my siblings

"Hello! Baby Girl D is quickly approaching her due date. Yay!

DH and I just wanted to send a quick reminder that we are asking our parents and our siblings (since you will be spending extended time in close contact with her) to make sure you are up to date on the whooping cough vaccine (TDap) and if you are not, to please get one at least 2 weeks before she is due, as it takes some time to become effective.

Whooping cough is highly contagious and can be fatal to infants, and there are active outbreaks all over the country right now, so this is something that is super important to us.

I know ____ & _____ are planning on getting theirs soon and I believe my folks have already gotten theirs. DH and I will be heading in within the next 2-3 weeks to get ours.

These are available at pharmacies, but depending on your insurance, it may be cheaper to go through your doctor.

We can't wait to celebrate our daughter's arrival with you all! Such an exciting time! "

[mrsdee1982]

We have not gotten any pushback on it at all. It's a non-negotiable thing for us. And I don't feel bad at all about asking our immediate family. There are active outbreak cases all over the country, and this is just something I am so not willing to risk for our daughter. It takes 5 minutes of their day 1 time. My family and my IL's seem to have no issue with it. And if they do, they're being smart and keeping it to themselves

[Deleted]

I lucked out because my brother and SIL asked everyone to get the TDAP when my niece was born in October 3 years ago. I asked my OB and she said they are all covered for the next 2 years so I just have ask my in laws who I know will have no problem.

The only issue is my BIL told us he didn't get it last time it was asked so DH is going to call him and say, "get the shot or you can't hold the baby." So we will see how that goes!

[bendherova]

There was a big whooping cough outbreak the winter DS was born. We explained that, and asked that everyone go get a TDAP shot. They did. No questions asked. everyone= immediate family.

[Bluedaisy]

I won't be checking on vaccines. No one I know is anti-vax so I'm not going to worry about it.

[mmo2112]

To our parents and siblings, we said something to the effect of 'if/when you see the doctor between now and june, please make sure your vaccines/boosters are up to date.'  I didn't feel like it was asking too much--if they're going in anyway, might as well ask them to check.

[neongreen]

Mar 9, 2015 18:12:55 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

I won't be checking on vaccines. No one I know is anti-vax so I'm not going to worry about it.

Same here, the thought never even really crossed my mind. However, while I'm pro-vax and I think the number of outbreaks of totally preventable diseases is horrifying, I'm very very lucky in that I haven't heard of any in my geographic area.

[erbear]

My parents got their tdap vaccines last month. My in laws are getting theirs soon and I need my sister to get hers since she has small kids and will be babysitting.

[tiffbot]

Mar 9, 2015 20:41:36 GMT -5 budders said:

I will mention the vaccine to our immediate families, since I'm sure they're not aware that it's recommended; I honestly didn't know until this pregnancy. That being said, if anyone doesn't get it or refuses, I don't plan on putting up a big fuss. I understand why some would choose to hold a hard and fast line, though, and to each her own.

I too didn't realize the importance (specifically tdap) until DS was born.  We were given it for free (in fact, I would have had to sign a consent form from the hospital had I refused it), and the nurses told us our parents are also highly suggested and covered under Sask Health to get it for free so we told them and they all checked with their doctors and had it done if they needed it updated.

[Bluedaisy]

Mar 9, 2015 18:26:58 GMT -5 @demanda88 said:

Mar 9, 2015 18:12:55 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

I won't be checking on vaccines. No one I know is anti-vax so I'm not going to worry about it.

I don't think you have to be anti-vax to not be up to date on your vaccinations. I am as pro-vax as they come & I don't think I've had a Tdap shot for at least 13 years. There's no reason to get one unless you're around a baby or someone who doesnt have immunity & even if you need it for tetanus, you're more likely to get the TD shot rather than the full Tdap. My husband also isn't up to date on his Tdap either and neither are my parents. Only one of my grandmothers is because she was around my cousin's newborn last year.

Tdap is also quite a common travel vaccine.  I had to look it up to be honest but as soon as I did I realized that I'm up to date because I travel.  

[ombradellarosa]

I hadn't thought about this at all. I don't know anyone who is anti-vaccine (that I know of) and I subscribe to the idea of not letting someone sick hold the baby and that's about it. However, I'm glad you brought this up. DH doesn't visit the doctor regularly and probably isn't up to date on his vaccinations. I hadn't even thought about that, but obviously I want to make sure he's vaccinated before baby comes! I made sure Iw as up to date at my preconception check-up so that I wouldn't have to worry about that after getting pregnant. I'll make sure he gets all his booster shots soon!