Just wanted some opinions on exposing a newborn to non immunised children. So there's a total of 3 non vaccinated children in mine and my husbands extended family. The parents choose to not immunise for whatever reason. What are some nice ways to say please immunise your child if you'd like to have contact within the first 2 months or kindly do not visit should you choose not to immunise your child. All children are mine and my husbands niece and nephews (so first cousins to our baby)
With the current Whooping cough outbreak I don't feel right not saying something. All families of these children are strongly against immunisations and as I'm 'not educated on the future developmental risks of immunisations' I'd get eaten alive if I even attempt to get in a debate on the pros of immunisations. I don't even want to go there.
The hospitals drum the importance that adults who'll have exposure to newborns should be immunised but say little about non immune children. What are your thoughts?
16 Replies
Nope, would definitely not allow it. It's way too risky. I would bother saying it nicely either.
I would not allow them to visit.
You could say something like,
I respect your right to not vaccinate so please respect my right to protect my baby from whooping cough etc
I don't respect there right but being diplomatic!
Just explain to them how important it is for newborns not to have contact with people who are not immunised, this includes adults. Just as it is their right not to vaccinate, it is your right not to have contact with them in the first few months of your new child's life.
How can they pass on somthing they dont have?
Vaccinated or unvaccinated you can pass on whooping cough.
Everyone should wash there hands and nobody whos sick should visit
If they weren't showing any symptoms, no one around them had any reported cases, they washed their hands first, I'd allow them to see the baby
I agree with this . I'd be asking more that they check in with you before they visit and you ask these questions (are they healthy ? Anyone around them
Known to have anything ?) and if all ok I'd let them close . Although it is a risk unless you are also going to stay cooped up at home during those months and not expose your baby any other way the risk is MORE to the children then your baby .
They suggest any adults that will have a lot of close contact with your baby be immunized not EVERYONE that has contact ... maybe do some more research into how catching it happens and what the risks are .
Same risk if unvaccinated occur.
Search the CDC for ape studies vaccinated or unvaccinated you can carry the bacteria.
Yes i believe they can carry same as immunised kids. Hands washed, keep a good distance. They dont need to be close. Any kid with a cough or sniffle no thanks.
I would just not allow them to visit. You are respecting their wishes of not vaccinating so they should respect your wish to reduce the risk of your baby dying of a preventable disease.
Non immune children are just a risk, if not more of a risk, than non immune adults.
All you need to say is that you are following the scientifically proven guidelines to keep your child safe.
Nope. They can visit after your baby is immunized.
If you get your booster in your 3rd trimester, bubby should have a good amount of protection. Would I let non-vaxxed people visit my newborn? Probably not. But I'd be making a blanket rule: if you've been unwell in the past week or if your boostets are not up to date, don't visit.
People who choose not to vaccinate need to understand that it will alienate them from certain situations. This being one.
Nope. Adults either
if they arent actually sick then ther is no reason to keep them away. Whooping cough vaccine does NOT stop a person from getting WC, or passing on WC, it lessens or removes the symptoms entirely. meaning a vaccinated child could contract WC and pass it around without even getting sick. Before you flame me maybe do some research into the two types of vaccines and see for yourself. The real question is "Would you allow immunised Children around your Newborn"
Are you aware that the whooping cough vaccine sheds? Meaning a vaccinated child will carry the disease in their throats and mucus for up to 6 weeks?
Yes I would unless those children are sick. Not being vaccinated does not mean they are carrying a disease. In fact i would be more worried if someone had been vaccinated within six weeks of visiting a newborn baby as some vaccines such as the whooping cough vaccine cause them to be a carrier for 6 weeks and can pass it on to others who are vunerable.
Yes this is so true!! Vaccinated or not dont let ANYONE around your baby if they are sick the vaccine does NOT stop the spread and a vaccinated person can still pass on WC I vaccinate but this always confuses me considering you can still catch and contract WC so whats the difference if unvaccinated?