I'm 30 weeks pregnant and my older sister (single with no kids) loves to give advice and tips on everything. A few months ago she was on about the whooping cough vax and how we should all get it etc etc- I've had it and when I bought it up to her about getting hers done she got very angry telling me I can't tell her what to put in her body and listing of all these statistics (which I'm sure where BS) so I told her it's fine but she can't come near my baby until my baby has had their own shots. Is this unreasonable? I'm so hurt by her reaction I don't understand why she wouldn't want to do whatever she can to help protect my baby- her niece or nephew!? I'm also really worried my mum, dad and brother will follow her on this.
11 Replies
I think your being very reasonable!
Definitely reasonable. Maybe try and speak to your parents and siblings separately.
Yes totally reasonable. for some reason the older generation thinks they are still covered from when they were young but you need to explain to your parents they aren't and that's why they need the booster. My mum and mother in law keep saying this I have explained it to my mum and she is getting hers tomorrow however my
MIL keeps saying she is covered even though I have explained that she isn't. So I have said what you said that she won't be able to come near the baby until she gets her booster or the baby is old enough to have hers. It's not unreasonable we are protecting our babies! And it's their choice to not get a tiny shot for piece of mind. I offered to pay and everything because I thought I am the one asking so it is fair I pay but she still won't do it.
there is a similar post about this. I think your being unreasonable - but thats my opinion as weather you have the shot or not IF you have the disease or have been in contact with the disease you can still be a carrier of the disease and therefore can pass it on. Having the boost will not save your baby unless everyone everywhere in the world has it and the disease is eradicated.
If someone is sick or appears ill in anyway shape or form then they shouldn't visit the baby (regardless of any germs they may have) if someone is well then the chances of them passing an infection is low. (whooping or otherwise)
In summary: someone else having a vaccine will NOT save your child until YOUR child is old enough to have the vaccine. So unless you stop everyone coming within 10 metres of your child, then your child may catch it anyway. - until it is eradicated or your child immunised you can not prevent it.
someone else vaccines do NOT help you!
Actually they do, havent you heard of herd immunity. This is why it is so essential to be up to date with the vaccine because the baby cannot be vaccinated herself therefore everyone around him/ her being vaccinated will lower the chances of the disease being passed on. Agree that anyone who is unwell shouldn't visit the baby in the first place though that is hopefully common sense with most people.
yes, helps YOUR immunity...not the babies...you can still be a carrier EVEN of you have the vaccine.
Not being unreasonable at all, simply setting the ground rules. She is free to not get the booster, that is entirely her choice. Just as the parent has the right to chose to NOT allow unvaccinated people around her baby until the baby is old enough to have the boosters. There is a HUGE difference between possible exposure from a random on the street and someone who is coming in, cuddling, kissing and snuggling your new baby.
no there isn't. that person cuddling and kissing the baby would of contracted that disease from anyone walking in and out of the building, anyone they've brushed against, doorknobs theyve opened etc.
Yes ovcourse people have heard of herd immunity it's spewed out at every single chance . Do YOU uderstna do it? Cos it doesn't sound like you do in the context you used it.
I think you are being unreasonable. And I vaccinated. A non vaccinated person is no greater risk than a vaccinated person. They are a greater risk to herd immunity yes. But not to an individual.
I think she's being a difficult person and I think your being unreasonable.
I think the point is reducing the risk by asking the people who I assume will be spending a lot of time with the baby to get a booster, of course it's not 100% but it will reduce the risk to your baby which is a reasonable thing to ask of your family, of course the baby will have contact with other people who may not have had the booster but why wouldn't you take the measure of ensuring your family have
Talk to your doctor or midwife about it. I'm very confused, my midwives have all said it's ok for unvaccinated people to be in contact if they look healthy. However, I completely understand your concern and if you want to wrap your baby in cotton wool for six weeks and that makes you feel better, to protect it go ahead and do that!
I live on a farm and won't be in contact with randoms, I won't be taking my baby to the supermarket or out in public so why would I invite unvaccinated people to come and breathe in its face. We do what we can and what we feel. We carry our babies and do the best by them, and at the end of the day all we have to answer to is if the worst happened, are we happy with our own choices.