Hepatitis A vaccine - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

Tiff24 · 01-25-2008, 07:59 PM

My son went to his one year check up today and received his MMR vaccine and pneumococcal booster. His dr. offered the hep A vaccine, she said it is not a manditory vaccine in Illinois so we decided to wait 'til I could research it a little. I didn't know anything about Hep A so I did a little searching on the internet. Why would a baby need this vaccine? I don't want to have a huge discussion about whether or not we should be giving our children all the vaccines that are out there. I am very much pro vaccine, I just don't know why my 1 year old son would need this right now. I would like to hear what you all think about this particular vaccine. Thanks ladies!

AlexaIn2006 · 01-26-2008, 10:34 AM

"They" claim that giving the vaccine to children will break the cycle and prevent them from getting the Hep. A infection as adults.The manufacturer of this drug claims that they have no idea how long the reciepient will be immunized for and that it may not last until adulthood. Only about 100 people die in the US from Hep. A and most of those are older adults. A child can gain natural immunity to this and it will last a lifetime, rather than the genetically engineered counterpart, which is unknown. There are also no long term effects on the child developing immune system. The manufacter also claims that the Hep. A vaccine has NOT been evaluated or tested for its carcinogenic potential, mutagenic potential, or for impairment of fertility or reproductive capacity. This to me is very reckless, it seems they actually do not have any answers at all! Read the insert that is suppose to come with the drugs/vaccinations that the doctors do not normally read or provide to you. In my opinion, there is no reason that this is given other than for monetary reasons.

I am glad you waited and I wish I did.

(My child is vaccinated by the way, but I am passionate about finding out the truth of drugs.)

Tiff24 · 01-26-2008, 01:58 PM

I just don't see the reason for getting it. My husband has this view of "why not get it?" while I'm thinking "why get it?" From what I've read, (correct me if I'm wrong) you really only get it from blood to blood contact or other bodily fluid. I also read that when children get Hep A, some don't even have symptoms and others are just really mild. I just hate to give him one more shot. Thank you very much for your opinion "Alexa". I have read many of your post and I don't usually agree with you, but I do on this issue.

Ratatosk · 01-28-2008, 07:42 AM

DS got his before it was added to the list of vaccines in our state. We were going on a trip to Mexico for a family member's wedding and his doctor strongly recommended it. Apparently not just a concern about contact with bodily fluids -- not just blood, but fecal -- but concerns with food preparation... No adverse affects from his vaccine, nor his first trip as a baby to a different country.

KeltoKel · 01-28-2008, 11:47 AM

I find it interesting that some states have mandatory vaccines and others don't. I never knew that.

I checked my son's chart and he didn't have it at 12 months. I don't know much about it. Good for you for looking into it though. Let us know what you find out. Maybe it is something you will want as your child approaches school? Perhaps it is good to have if your child is in daycare? I do agree that if you plan to travel it is probably smart to get it. I know we might be going out of the country next year for a wedding (Caribbean) and I might look into it then.