Have you gotten the meningitis vaccine?

[mustangsally65]

Are future medical students advised to get the meningitis vaccine? I have never had one and I'm wondering if some schools require them.

I'm also going to be doing a summer program and living in a dorm for two months, so I'm thinking about getting one before I move in.

So what are your thoughts? Wait for the poll. 😀

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[Gerrymandering]

definitely get the vaccination...the disease is something not worth catching!!! i wouldnt want to risk my nervous system

 

[happydays]

What's the difference between options 2 and 4, since they are mutually inclusive (someone can be both)? Does 2 mean you'll get it eventually?

 

[Chris127]

Yeah seriously get the vaccination. I got it before I started college. Even if you're staying in the dorms for one semester, just get it. Not worth the risk.

 

[PhillyGuy]

Definitely get it, for your protection.

 

[C.P. Jones]

UConn undergrad requires it, especially after they've had an outbreak in the past

 

[mustangsally65]

What's the difference between options 2 and 4, since they are mutually inclusive (someone can be both)? Does 2 mean you'll get it eventually?

oops, I guess you're right and they are kind of redundant. I was in a hurry and didn't want to leave anyone out, but I guess I put in too many choices.

It seems like the consensus is that I should get the vaccine. I was planning on it, but it's nice to know other people think it's a good idea too. Thanks guys!

 

[Orthodoc40]

Nope - I am a meningitis survivor, actually. Got it at 6 months of age and managed to live to talk about it, with no repercussions...well, strange sense of humor aside... but I think that means I don't need a vaccine.

 

[Mr. Tee]

I got it for my Africa trip.

 

[PariPari]

i had it before college but if it's safe to get again, if/when i get into med school i'd get it again
but it only works for the bacterial form, which i guess is okay b/c that's the scary boom your dead one

 

[Compass]

Why wouldn't you get vaccinated? That's like not getting vaccinated for MMR. Well, not really, but close to it. It's not really that much of a hassle, even if you're afraid of needles. It only takes about 5 minutes to make an appointment, and another 5 to get poked. What is there to lose?

 

[sakura181]

Why wouldn't you get vaccinated? That's like not getting vaccinated for MMR. Well, not really, but close to it. It's not really that much of a hassle, even if you're afraid of needles. It only takes about 5 minutes to make an appointment, and another 5 to get poked. What is there to lose?

$100

Most insurance companies don't cover it and my med school's immunization fee wouldn't cover it either.

 

[mshheaddoc]

I got it IN college. There was an outbreak at my school back in 99.

 

[mustangsally65]

Why wouldn't you get vaccinated? That's like not getting vaccinated for MMR. Well, not really, but close to it. It's not really that much of a hassle, even if you're afraid of needles. It only takes about 5 minutes to make an appointment, and another 5 to get poked. What is there to lose?

I was planning to get the vaccination, but I just wanted to know if others had any thoughts about it. Side effects, pros and cons etc. And it is kind of expensive.

I think it would be safe to say that I'm definitely not afraid of needles. I just got done with my phlebotomy certificate. Everybody liked to stick me in class because I have good veins.

 

[mshheaddoc]

Why wouldn't you get vaccinated? That's like not getting vaccinated for MMR. Well, not really, but close to it. It's not really that much of a hassle, even if you're afraid of needles. It only takes about 5 minutes to make an appointment, and another 5 to get poked. What is there to lose?

What's wrong with the MMR vaccine?

I would get it. My school did it and it was worth it for me. Especially if you are in c,lost contact with people.

 

[rcd]

You don't have one that says "no, but I got meningitis in high school so I don't need the vaccine any more," so I didn't answer... PCP called it "migraines" 🙄

 

[PariPari]

What's wrong with the MMR vaccine?

I would get it. My school did it and it was worth it for me. Especially if you are in c,lost contact with people.

he said it's like NOT getting the MMR

 

[Compass]

No Side Effects here, most likely very little, if any. Thanks to previous pre-meds and pre-pharms 😀

Pros - huge protection from meningitis, a potentially dangerous disease, not as painful as that tetanus shot, if you're afraid of the painful ones
Cons - big price tag

I got it like a few days after college started since they were all out when I went to get the shot.

 

[mshheaddoc]

he said it's like NOT getting the MMR

gotcha. Sorry just couldn't understand that sentence for the life of me 😳

My parents actually paid for it I think ... I can't remember. Too long ago. Speaking of vaccines though, I'm doing research on financing of vaccines and whether vaccines are safe. I have this book in which people write their arguments. This 3rd yr law student wrote why we shouldn't get vaccines and then this other person wrote why vaccines shouldn't be mandatory. I got so pissed off reading this load of ****. They aren't in the medical profession and while yes they can still be informed consumers. It upsets me that people try to blame everything on vaccines. Everything we do has adverse reactions but many of things mean taking care of your child and monitoring closely.

One woman complained her son had an adverse reaction to DPT at age 2.5 ... he was pale, blueish lips, and eyes in back of his head with limp body. Just a few hours after having his shot. What does she do? She puts him to bed and he sleeps for the next 12 hrs. And she's the one advocating for NO vaccines. *******! Go to the ER 🙄 Maybe your son wouldn't have brain damage from it now. I'm all for parental education but I think that people need to see exactly how many severe reactions are out there. There are 100000000 times more good than bad to these vaccines. And those that have had issues, have been removed from market (such as the first polio vaccine and mercury containing vaccines).

*steps down from soap box*

$100 is alot, but for a piece of mind, I'd take it. I think the only vaccine out there that I don't have is Hep A. Its a piece of mind you don't have to worry about. Especially Hep B -

Question: I have a general practice with very little ER work; why should I be vaccinated for HBV?

Answer:
If your practice involves no work in emergency rooms, hospital wards, institutions for the handicapped and no administration of needles or minor surgery, and you never have hangnails, minor cuts and abrasions on your hands, then it is likely that you would not be susceptible to occupationally-acquired hepatitis B. There are very few practices that fit this description, and all other physicians would benefit from this safe and effective vaccine. Or, put another way, there has been several cases of unvaccinated physicians who died from occupationally-acquired acute hepatitis B; isn't your life worth the $150.00 cost of a course of vaccine?

As for Menomune and Menactra - We've had the former for almost 40 years in the US and the latter came out in 2005.

Sally especially in your health state, I would suggest getting it.

Wow - didn't expect to write this much 😳 Maybe I'll start a topic in healthcare topics forum 😀

 

[mustangsally65]

Thanks for the novel, Mushy. 😀 One of the reasons I started this thread is that there is a lot of controversy about vaccines and I'm not really as informed as I'd like to be. But I do agree that a lot of parents do go overboard about some of the more basic vaccines.

 

[mshheaddoc]

do a google for the vaccines or just menigitis vaccines. You will be a wealth of information out there. Just do a little reading from various website if you are concerned. 🙂

 

[PurpleHaze]

In order to live in the dorms for undergrad, all incoming freshmen at my school were required to get the meningitis vaccination. It wasn't that bad. I don't remember there being any pain associated with it.

I would imagine that most medical schools would require it.

 

[Gerrymandering]

Thanks for the novel, Mushy. 😀 One of the reasons I started this thread is that there is a lot of controversy about vaccines and I'm not really as informed as I'd like to be. But I do agree that a lot of parents do go overboard about some of the more basic vaccines.

I'm not a parent, but i think any vaccination is important because who wants to get sick these days?? a vaccination cannot hurt, but only help...

 

[browniegirl86]

You don't have one that says "no, but I got meningitis in high school so I don't need the vaccine any more," so I didn't answer... PCP called it "migraines" 🙄

Ouch. Hellooooo malpractice!


Glad you're ok.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

I got one in 2001 or so, so it's long since expired (they last 3 years, I think). I don't know if I'll get one for med school or not. I can see where it'd be useful the last two years, but I don't think I'd be in any special risk group the first two years since I won't live in a communal setting or anything like that. If I were an undergraduate student or going to live in a dorm, I'd definitely get it.

 

[Kristiyana]

Hmmmmm ... I had planned to get one when I started undergrad, but I never got around to it ... in fact, I completely forgot about it until I came across this thread. 🙄 I guess I should look into it ...I think it's free at my school, but I'm not sure ...

 

[BooMed]

I never got one and probably won't since I don't plan in living in the dorms ever again...

A girl died from it at my college freshman year, and they were telling everyone to get the vaccine, but they also said that she died from a type of meningitis that isn't prevented by the vaccine, so I wasn't real motivated to spend the money on it...

 

[MiesVanDerMom]

gotcha. Sorry just couldn't understand that sentence for the life of me 😳

My parents actually paid for it I think ... I can't remember. Too long ago. Speaking of vaccines though, I'm doing research on financing of vaccines and whether vaccines are safe. I have this book in which people write their arguments. This 3rd yr law student wrote why we shouldn't get vaccines and then this other person wrote why vaccines shouldn't be mandatory. I got so pissed off reading this load of ****. They aren't in the medical profession and while yes they can still be informed consumers. It upsets me that people try to blame everything on vaccines. Everything we do has adverse reactions but many of things mean taking care of your child and monitoring closely.

One woman complained her son had an adverse reaction to DPT at age 2.5 ... he was pale, blueish lips, and eyes in back of his head with limp body. Just a few hours after having his shot. What does she do? She puts him to bed and he sleeps for the next 12 hrs. And she's the one advocating for NO vaccines. *******! Go to the ER 🙄 Maybe your son wouldn't have brain damage from it now. I'm all for parental education but I think that people need to see exactly how many severe reactions are out there. There are 100000000 times more good than bad to these vaccines. And those that have had issues, have been removed from market (such as the first polio vaccine and mercury containing vaccines).

*steps down from soap box*

$100 is alot, but for a piece of mind, I'd take it. I think the only vaccine out there that I don't have is Hep A. Its a piece of mind you don't have to worry about. Especially Hep B -



As for Menomune and Menactra - We've had the former for almost 40 years in the US and the latter came out in 2005.

Sally especially in your health state, I would suggest getting it.

Wow - didn't expect to write this much 😳 Maybe I'll start a topic in healthcare topics forum 😀

There are actually plenty of articles and books out there written by doctors and scientists presenting plenty of valid evidence as to why you might decide not to vaccinate your children (although it's ridiculous to say only doctors and scientists can have anythign relevant to say on the subject). Try Neil Z MIller's "Vaccines: are tey safe and effective?" Plenty of intelligent, informed, caring parents choose not to vaccinate. I am one of them. I have gotten a range of responses from doctors and I can tell you the close minded beligerant ones came even less close to changing my mind than the respectful intellgient ones who engaged me in an informed dialogue and then accepted my decision. Medical science in the US is not all-knowing and is often enough wrong (seen our c-section rate lately??) And if you think there's no mercury-containing vaccines out there, you're being naive. I respect the decision to vaccinate, to not vaccinate or to delay or selectively vaccinate and I hope in the future all doctors will. We're all doing what is best for our families.

 

[PBandJ]

i got it during college, so i don't fit into the poll at all! 🙂

i suggest getting it.

 

[mshheaddoc]

There are actually plenty of articles and books out there written by doctors and scientists presenting plenty of valid evidence as to why you might decide not to vaccinate your children (although it's ridiculous to say only doctors and scientists can have anythign relevant to say on the subject). Try Neil Z MIller's "Vaccines: are tey safe and effective?" Plenty of intelligent, informed, caring parents choose not to vaccinate. I am one of them. I have gotten a range of responses from doctors and I can tell you the close minded beligerant ones came even less close to changing my mind than the respectful intellgient ones who engaged me in an informed dialogue and then accepted my decision. Medical science in the US is not all-knowing and is often enough wrong (seen our c-section rate lately??) And if you think there's no mercury-containing vaccines out there, you're being naive. I respect the decision to vaccinate, to not vaccinate or to delay or selectively vaccinate and I hope in the future all doctors will. We're all doing what is best for our families.

ANd I didn't mean to bash those informed parents but the risk of those diseases without vaccination outweighs the results of not getting them if their child contracts their diseases. I will respectfully disagree with those people who feel that their child shouldn't have their necessary vaccines as the evidence I have read doesn't compel me to not vaccinate my child. As for mercury-based vaccines, they are out there but not in the US for the most part.

Additionally, most vaccines are required for schooling ... how does one get around this if they choose not to vaccinate?