Boostrix dTpa

[Sarah]

My 2 dd's were immunized as children, up to 4 years of age. Although from the start I did not feel that it was right, but being a new mum did not have the confidence (or energy:D) to fully research the pros and cons. It was more of a 'try to see the good side' of the vaccines. However, neither of my daughters received the MeNZb vaccinations as by that time my convictions had been strengthened. My husband agreed with my decision not to vaccinate as even he could see that our children were effectively being used a guinea pigs, along with a number of other factors he let me make this decision for them. He also defended our position with friends of ours which I was grateful for, as I often get a little over-passionate about these things and end us sounding like a conspiracy-theorist :).
My issue is now, that my eldest daughter is due her booster dTpa next year, and I had aleady make the decision that she was not going to receive any more vaccinations. My husband however feels that these 'standard' childhood vaccinations are tried and tested, have been around for a lot longer and therefore must be safe. I am currently wading my way through a pages of info in regards to this vaccine, and the diseases it 'covers'. He has said that he will listen to, and read the info I give him, but I feel that he is going to take a little more convincing. I understand that this particular vaccine was only approved by the FDA in 2005, and has been used in NZ since 2008, therefore does not stand up to his "tried and trusted' reasoning.
I could not think of a worse situation than 2 parents disagreeing over this. I know he trusts my judgement (most of the time:rolleyes:), but I feel like I should tread carefully, and slowly open his eyes to what I see.
I guess what I am wanting to know is, has anyone had to 'convince' a partner/hubby who is happy with vaccinations, to look at things a little closer?
Do you have to have already lost your faith in 'the medical system' to look at alternatives?

[MinorityView]

I'd start by looking at the illnesses in question. What are the symptoms, how dangerous are they, does the vaccine actually contribute to herd immunity (many do not), how many cases have there been in NZ in the last 10 years and so forth.

Then review the vaccine. Look at the safety testing. How long, how large a group, what did they look for. Also review the efficacy studies.

You could ask your husband to do some of the research.

Believe me, if anything goes wrong after a vaccine you will be left on your own to deal with it. Better to do the research up front.

[Spy]

Boostrix is in no way 'tried and tested' as never before in history of mankind did we vaccinate teenagers and adults for pertussis. :alien::eyeroll:

And the only reason they do it now is, apart from the obvious financial, 'to protect babies', i.e. 'do it for Sophie', even though it has been shown time and time again that vaccination does not prevent transmission, meaning that babies will not benefit much even if every man and his dog gets a boostrix every 5 years.

And by the way, there is no end to this carousel as Boostrix IS recommended for repeat every so often (check the package insert, I don't remember just how often - is it every five years?), just not necessarily paid for older ages by the government. What is your husband thinking about that, is he going to vaccinate the kids every few years? What about the parents, they could use Boostrix as well, is he getting his booster? You both might be overdue, and your kids, if vaccinated in childhood, are in no different position.

[Sarah]

And by the way, there is no end to this carousel as Boostrix IS recommended for repeat every so often (check the package insert, I don't remember just how often - is it every five years?), just not necessarily paid for older ages by the government. What is your husband thinking about that, is he going to vaccinate the kids every few years? What about the parents, they could use Boostrix as well, is he getting his booster? You both might be overdue, and your kids, if vaccinated in childhood, are in no different position.

I hadn't thought of that. They recommend the interval between doses should be no more than 10 years. I do not recall ever having had a tetanus jab. The last time they stuck a needle in me was for TB, in college. I am pretty sure it is the same for hubby. Will definately add this bit of reasoning into my discussions, thanks.

[justine]

My husband has never had any vaccines (he's 33) so that was a good starting point for me.

Good luck.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

I'd ask your husband a few pertinent questions as to what "truth" is, and how he defined "tried and true".

for instance, in the context of today, we are told in the NZ media, that hospital facilities for influenza are stretched beyond what is normal and are about to keel over. Bear in mind that there have been 15 ?? deaths from swine flu.

on the other hand, the medical morons expect us to believe that in the "normal" years, when we NEVER hear about intensive care facilities fully stretched, that New Zealand has over 400 deaths per year from NORMAL influenza. It would also stand to reason then, that ICU facilities would be far further stretched in situations where there are "normally" 400 deaths a year here, from the flu right?

(These figures are, as I show elsewhere in links to the public health websites, total baloney. Doctors know they are baloney, but they tell the media lies anyway.

If you husband considers himself an intelligent man, how does he explain the inherent contradictions between fact, and what we are told about flu by the media?

If he can see these contradictions, and if he "believes" that boostrix is "tried and tested" and if he's as intelligent as he says he is, tell him you want him to provide all the phase trials with criteria exemptions, and the requisite proof for his point of view. And if he believes that his children should have it, is he prepared to also have it as a regular booster for the rest of his life, as will be recommended in the not too distant future?

If now, why not? And will he be telling his elderly parents/grandparents, who many never have seen a pertussis or diphtheria shot in their lives, that if they don't have it, they will keel over and die?

It's not good enough for him to demand you provide proof for the default position of doing nothing. It's his responsibility to provide the proof that supports his contention that another needle in the arm is necessary.

He also needs to provide proof that the initial series of shots is not sufficient to provide ongoing "protection"...and proof that the previous injections, have NOT produced the necessary levels of so-called "surrogates of immunity"?

[Sarah]

If you husband considers himself an intelligent man, how does he explain the inherent contradictions between fact, and what we are told about flu by the media?


I have also being doing a bit of research into the whole "swine flu" joke. And I have to say that he sees what the media and medical profession are doing, and can see the contradictions and over-exaggeration of this whole pandemic (I loathe that word :mad::mad:). I had decided that this was going to be my starting point in getting him to see things more objectively in regards to all vaccines and other over-prescribed medications.