Menactra Vaccine for Menigitis

Updated on September 29, 2007
O.R. asks from Fort Lauderdale, FL
6 answers

Hi moms, I would like to know some of your thoughts on the administration of the menactra vaccine for menengitis. I have an 11 year old and a 12 year old. During last month's well care visit, the pedia said they are both due for this vaccination. Thing is for some reason I feel uncomfortable giving them this shot. the pedia was upset with me because he feels it's better have the shot than not, considering what could happen. I am concerened about a bad reaction to the shot and since it's directly related/connected to brain(swelling), quite frankly I am afraid to give it to them. Any other moms feel the same way? On the other hand, i feel bad not giving it to them, then God forbid something happens, the pedia said they can die within 12 hours because sometimes the antibiotic doesn't work or work enough and they can have brain problems. Truth is i am scared to death on what decision to make.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.E.

answers from Port St. Lucie on

I'm a sahm of 4 this is just my advic I would do it I did the other day when i took my 2 month old son to the dr. he got his. be for he got it we did ask why they were giveing it to him that i didn't remember the other kids getting it. and we were told that they are all getting it b/c of an outbrack in a collage campus he told us were but i can't remember were. my son had his shots on thur.and he has been fine.
hope that is helps
R. e in fl.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.A.

answers from Miami on

Hello,

I would do my research before given this vaccine, I have not heared of it before. I am aware that the HIB vaccine is suppose to decrease the chances for menengitis. Once a child is 11 years old their brain has fully developed, so I dont see why this vaccine could do any harm. I do know that its risky once kids are under two.

Hope this helps.

Lis

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.C.

answers from Boca Raton on

I don't know much about the shot but in college they were giving them away for free because 3 students died of menengitis. I didn't get the shot but I know a lot of kids that did. Its something to think about if you don't give them the shot. Do your research and trust your instinct. Not just on the shot but on the number of people affected by menengitis.
Good Luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.I.

answers from Miami on

Hello O.. I have an 18 year old, 10 year old, and an 8 year old. I was also told by my pedia that my 18 year and my 10 year old had to get various shots (one which was the menactra vaccine for menengitis). Like you, I also told my pedia that I did not want my children to have any of the shots and she also was upset.

Like you, I am also concerned about having my children given the various recommended shots.

I already went through a bad experience with my youngest child. When he was 6 mos old, he had the MMR and DPT and had a very bad reaction to the shot. He was in the hospital for 1 week. They had him on 2 different types of antibiotics and then I was told he had Kawasaki disease. My son was in very bad shape. Because of this experience, I have always been afraid of any of the required vaccine shots.

The only recommendation I have is to speak with moms from your children's school and see how they feel about the vaccine.

Good luck to you and let me know what happens. I am also very interested in knowing what other mothers have to say.

M. I.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.P.

answers from Miami on

Of course no one can make the decisions of what to do with your kids, and that means even your pediatrician. The very best you can do is to stay informed, follow your instincts and stick to your decisions.

Here are some links for you to read carefully and ponder. Remember, knowledge is power:

http://www.browardchd.org/Hot_Topics/Meningitis.htm

http://vaccineawakening.blogspot.com/2007/09/menactra-doc...

Do not stop with these two links. Get on Google and do as much of a search as you can, using terms that will offer up the results you need. For instance, you can write "meningococcal diease" + "vaccine safety", "vaccine risks", "vaccine risks vs. safety", etc.. Look for and read what both the pro and anti vaccine people have to say regarding the issue of vaccines altogether.

The decision to vaccinate your children should not be something that parents go into blindly. It is something that you are putting into their bodies that will either cause great protection from a pathological evil or will cause great challenges to their health. This is why you need to know the whats, if and when of vaccines.
Therefore, do not be scared, be aware. Think about all the other things that affect this decision, such as who is a risk for certain diseases and whether you and yours fit those categories or not. This is not to say that anyone is ever 100% safe from encountering some illness, but there are some people in some situations that put them at risk much more than others. You need to see where you fall.
Regardless of what your decision, it should not be reached at by the pediatrician's being "upset". The doc's atittude should never be a part of the equation. Remember, this is an issue over where there is a great deal of a CONTROVERSY, with both sides having some very valid points. You have every right to decide based on your careful considerations after much research.
And then, after all is said and done, go to GOD through Jesus Christ. He truly has your answer and is waiting for you to ask Him. :-)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.L.

answers from Boca Raton on

My 12 year old son just had the vacc a few months ago. No problems at all. I think it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to childhood illness's.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches