[OldSquidNewNurse]

What are you thoughts on immunizations? I've been part of a liviely debate about this topic and wondered where people on this forums were for or against this.

[AmandaWIRN]

I personally think that it is irresponsible NOT to get immunized or have your children immunized, unless there is an allergy or some other medical reason preventing it.

7 years ago, my cousin, who was 4 years old, died in her sleep. She had had cold symptoms for about a week, but nothing major- my aunt (her mother) just thought she had a cold. Then she stopped breathing one night while sleeping. Her autopsy showed that she had Influenza Type B (HIB). My aunt did not believe in vaccines- she had read that they can cause autism. Now, I'm not saying that vaccines do cause autism, but going by that logic, I think if my aunt could go back in time, she would have preferred a daughter with autism over a dead daughter. In this case, the benefits FAR outweigh any risks. A simple vaccine could have saved my cousin's life....

As a nurse, I think it would be irresponsible & selfish of me not to get myself vaccinated. I may be young and healthy, and can "ride out" a case of the flu, but by not getting the flu shot every year, I would be putting my elderly, pediatric, and immuno-compromised patients at risk.

Sorry, since my cousin's death, this issue has become very personal to me... (stepping off soap box now...)

[OldSquidNewNurse]

I just came across this...

U.S. Reports Biggest Measles Outbreak Since 2001

Reuters Health Information 2008. © 2008 Reuters Ltd.
Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.

By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) May 01 - The biggest outbreak of measles in the U.S. since 2001 is unfolding in 10 states, affecting at least 64 people ranging from infants to the elderly—most of them unvaccinated—U.S. health officials said on Thursday.

None of those who contracted measles has died, although 14 people have been hospitalized, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Fifty-nine of the 64 people confirmed to have measles were U.S. residents, and 54 cases “were associated with importation of measles from other countries” including Switzerland, Israel, Belgium, India, Italy and likely China, the CDC said.

All but one of those who got measles were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status, the CDC said. “These cases and outbreaks resulted primarily from failure to vaccinate, many because of personal or religious belief exemption,” the CDC said.

“Transmission has occurred in community and health care settings, including homes, child care centers, schools, hospitals, emergency rooms and physicians’ offices,” the CDC said in a statement.

The ages of those infected ranged from 5 months to 71 years, the CDC said.

Before a vaccine was introduced in the United States in 1963, more than half a million people caught measles every year in the United States and 500 died. Due to the success of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccination program, measles is no longer endemic in the United States, with the annual number of cases generally in the dozens and related to importation.

The 64 cases reported from Jan. 1 through April 25 were the highest number reported for the same time period since 2001, according to the CDC.

As of April 25, measles cases had occurred in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin. CDC spokesman Curtis Allen said that measles also has been reported in Washington state since then.

Twenty-two of the cases were reported in New York City, Allen said, with one other case in New York state. Arizona had 15 cases and California 12, Allen added.

As of April 25, the CDC said there were ongoing outbreaks in four states: Wisconsin, Arizona, Michigan and New York.

While the disease has been largely eliminated in many developed countries, the U.N. World Health Organization said is still kills about 250,000 people a year globally.

Outbreaks have also been reported in other developed countries where vaccination has fallen below recommended levels—with more than 2,200 cases in Switzerland, 200 cases in Austria and dozens of cases in Japan.

[cougarnurse]

I am for immunizations, also.....to a point. True, MMR is a God-send, as is Polio. Had a cousin who had polio at age 4; lived 95 more years, with a withered leg. However, chickenpox vaccine? I've never had the disease, and do not want the vaccine. Why? Perhaps the possibility of shingles later on: was it caused by the vaccine or not? Not enough literature, etc. for me.

As an aside: the nurse who gave me those shots waaay back made a good impression on me. Because of her, I became a nurse.

[JennyP]

I feel very strongly about vaccinations also; I believe (like Amanda) that we (nurses) need to be up to date on our immunizations and vaccines because of our work.

I remember growing up with kids who'd had polio and ended up with withered arms or legs.

My son is very anti-vaccines and immunizations. So far he isn't married and hasn't fathered any kids. I just hope that if he does marry and have kids his wife will make sure that the kids will be immunized.