[Marie P]

Took my 3 kids to be enrolled in school ,and the head recommended that I get them vaccinated with the meningococcal B vaccination .

Nipped to the docs to ask about it ,they did the first jab there and then ,Louise who is 7 cried and was later a bit sick ,but the other 2 have been fine .I showed them the pictures in the literature they provided ,the kids agreed to have the jabs .

Have to go back in 6 weeks and 6 weeks after that for 2 more jabs .

There was no cost for this and the Nurse was lovely with Louise.

Spent over $200 buying Ellen a skirt ,blouse,PE top and stationery pack .[shame she will only get a few months wear out of it as will buy a house in a different area of Auckland]
Luckily the younger two dont need uniform or any school fee's .

Marie x

[Diny]

Marie - my two have had all 3 vaccinations at school. Cost nothing at all and I have to say that they too were in full agreement after reading the literature.

Henny was abit hot and restless after his first - Fergie was fine. They had no ill effects at all after the other 2.

Bad luck about the school uniforms - my 2 don't wear them yet - it's much cheaper isn't it?

Diny

[Kim39]

Elaine has just mentioned to me that the girls have to have this on friday and Hayley is getting in a hell of a state already. Don't envy her taking them to get it. And as for the uniform its cost us around 500 for the two of them.:wah


Kim

[jubjub]

My poor little guy is starting them in about three weeks, three jabs in one day poor little thing :( , have to say the childcare here has been great so far in our limited 9 weeks experience!

Don't know if this applies to older kids, but Andrew had to have Hep B vaccine too, which is an NZ special one, apparently due to the high rate of it here.

[K&CS]

I guess I'll find out about all of this soon. As far as I'm aware Alex (5 months and already had his 3 sets of jabs) will need the meningococcal one when he gets there, poor thing.

Sal, that's one of the things I hate most - the injections - it breaks your heart even though you know it's the best thing for them. Good luck (and try not to cry!).

Kate

[Marie P]

Hi .....My kids had the second jab today ....not as much drama ....Louise just cried for a minute then decided to be brave ..... :wah

Marie x

[K&CS]

Marie - all my three have their first on Wednesday. Is it painful? Obviously, it's baby I worry about most. Still, I feel much better for the fact that they're having it done.

[jubjub]

Kate, our bub had his, it did swell at the injection site a tiny bit, but he was OK, he had it at same time as two others (poor thing) quick bit of booby & a dose of pamol, he was fine.

Glad Lou was brave...

[marcia]

Is this something that they normally do as routine in NZ? (Like the babies here have the vacinations, and then they get another before they go to school?)

Is it worth getting it done before we come out? (In fact is it even possible?)

[Marie P]

Kate

Sorry to say but the first jabs did hurt and they all had a really sore arm for a couple of days.
They didn't complain as much yesterday ,I'll let you know how they feel later.

Marcia I don't know if you can get the boys sorted before you come out ,but It's Men B ,wheras its Men C that our kids get innoculated against in the UK.

http://www.immunise.moh.govt.nz/

Marie x

[Oregonkiwi]

Marcia - the Men B shots are part of a big immunization campaign because of a menB epidemic in NZ, they just started it recently (last year or so?). The strain of meningococcal disease is unique to NZ so you can only get the shots in NZ.

[marcia]

Thanks guys, won't subject my kids to it yet then1 Ayrton will hit the room, you have to pin him down to have any sort of jab, even Kev could hardly hold him still when he had to have the one before he went to school and he was only 4 then!!!!

[kiwidebs]

OMG - something else to add to my 'to do' list. Sign up with GP and subject kids to more pain. Ah well, I know it's definately in their best interests.

Off to ring up GP now

Debs

[K&CS]

Didn't take the kids for their jabs in the end today (have put it back to Friday). One of the mums at school has also just moved from England and she took her kids for theirs yesterday and they were really ill and off school today. Apparently they'd woken up in the night shivering and shaking and really poorly (and their arms were very sore). I decided I didn't want to risk the kids being off on their first week, so I've put it back to Friday, but I am worried now. The receptionist said that sort of reaction is very unusual - let's hope so!!

Kate

[Marie P]

JAB number 3 booked for tomorrow [friday ],I'm being clever having it done on a friday as they all conned me out of a day out of school with the other 2 ,lets see how they feel on a saturday .

Marie x

[K&CS]

Snap!! Well, we've got no 2 tomorrow. They had their first on a Friday too and they weren't too bad on the Saturday. Just reminded me that I'll need to get some bribes in for tomorrow! Good luck with it - I'll be thinking of you at 3.15 tomorrow when mine are being jabbed.

Kate x

[jubjub]

Our little guy had his second this week too, and he was fine! Cried a bit at the actual jabbing, and then was happy as larry 2 mins later :nice1 , did not even wake up in the night like he did with the last ones.

[wilson182]

On an (almost) unrelated note; we were offered free flu vac's at work, so I had one. My arm is Sooooooo sore:wah

[K&CS]

Is that so they don't have anyone pulling sickies, Debs??!! I'd have one if offered though. I've had flu just once four years ago, and I have never ever been iller - I thought I was going to die. Hope your arm gets better soon - have some wine to numb the pain!

Kate x

[Marie P]

Iv'e been offered one too ,I never normally suffer much ,but had a stinky cold that hit me suddenly this week ,so I might have the flu jab ,working in a classroom with all those kids and all those germs floating round .

Marie x

[wilson182]

Almost- Pauls mate has come round to watch the boxing so we are on the beer (tui - brewed by wimin....gorgeous wimin:cheers )

And sadly I think you are right, the aim was to stop us pulling sickies:wah

[wilson182]

Iv'e been offered one too ,I never normally suffer much ,but had a stinky cold that hit me suddenly this week ,so I might have the flu jab ,working in a classroom with all those kids and all those germs floating round .

Marie x


:yes I'd say you were an ideal candidate, Marie:nice1

[jubjub]

And sadly I think you are right, the aim was to stop us pulling sickies:wah


Huh, had not thought of it that way, thats why hubbys co offered all and family, so no-one would get sick and pass it on.....

[kiwidebs]

Is that so they don't have anyone pulling sickies, Debs??!!

Should've tried working for the NHS in 1999 - they almost frog marched us to Occ Health so that no-one could pull a sickie on New Years!!


Funny so many of you taking kids for vacs today. I've just got back from my two getting their second Hep B - they're due their second MeNZB in two weeks. I do feel sorry for them. Have dosed them up with infant Nurofen but Gemma is still complaining about her sore arm (but then again, she is a major hypochondriac!! :roll ).

Debs

[Marie P]

My three had the third and final jab ,not whinging as much as the other two times. Had take out pizza for tea as a treat .

I have booked my flu jab in 14 days time :uhoh

Marie x

[K&CS]

Well, ours had their second jabs today. Had the dippiest old nurse in the world. Took about half an hour for each set of jabs. I had to tell her that babies have theirs in their thighs and she put plasters on Alex's legs afterwards but nowhere near where the actual injection went in!! The girls were crying that it hurt more this time - not sure if that was the nurse's fault. Will be glad to get the final one out of the way. They've all gone to bed dosed up with medicine. Hope everyone else hasn't had any bad effects!

Kate x

[jubjub]

Kate, has Alex not got to have the 4th one? Apparently there are new guidelines, think its if you start jabs under 10 months you have to have a 4th booster jab? And I dont like the sound of that nurse :(

Get well wishes and long sleep vibes to all kiddies jabbed today....

[K&CS]

I hadn't heard that. I'll see what they say next time I go in June. Right, off to bed - think I could be in for a bad night...

[Simon & Emily]

Changing suject slightly, but do they give jabs for Hep B in schools / doctors free of charge? I think we've left it too late here, but if I know they can get them over there as soon as we get there then I won't worry so much.

Thanks,

Emily

[wilson182]

My girls had theirs done at the GP by the nurse free of charge.

[Oregonkiwi]

There's an article in the Herald about how successful the menB immunization campaign has been.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10386814
Ministry of Health figures show that between 2003 and last year, the number of cases of the epidemic strain in Auckland and Northland fell 76 per cent. Vaccination began in July 2004.

It also says
Vaccination for 5 to 19-year-olds finishes at the end of the year. But the vaccine will remain available for under-fives until 2009 or earlier if conditions justify it.

[Oregonkiwi]

Sadly, this story seems to contradict my last post:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10395401

Fully-immunised child dies of Meningococcal B

5.30pm Wednesday August 9, 2006

A child fully immunised against Meningoccocal B has died of the disease in the Waikato.

It is the first confirmed fatality from the epidemic 'B' strain of the disease of someone who had received a full course of the vaccine.

The Government launched its $220million vaccination campaign against the strain in 2004.

The Waikato District Health board confirmed the child - aged under-five - died earlier this month.

It said the death was a "sobering reminder to remain vigilant for the disease and seek treatment as soon as possible".

Waikato Medical Officer of Health Dr Anita Bell said the child's parents did all they could, and sought help as soon as possible.

But she added: "While the immunisation programme is effective protection for most, there will be a few who remain vulnerable.

"The reasons for this are unclear, and impossible to predict from person to person."

Dr Bell said New Zealanders needed to stay alert for early warning signs and seek medical assistance as soon as possible for all strains of meningococcal disease.

National Meningococcal B Immunisation Programme Director, Dr Jane O'Hallahan, said the tragedy was a reminder of why a vaccine programme had been launched.

"Our focus must remain on breaking the natural cycle of this disease epidemic through the immunisation programme, and saving lives where we can."

News of the death follows the release of Ministry of Health figures that showed meningitis killed five children in July, the highest monthly death toll in nine years.

The data showed that for the six months to May 2006, there had been proportionately as many cases of the epidemic strain of the meningococcal disease in fully vaccinated children (1.1 per 100,000) as there had been in partially vaccinated and unvaccinated children (1.2 per 100,000).

However, Dr O'Hallahan said preliminary results from an independent study showed the vaccine worked.

" Those who are not fully immunised have a five times greater risk of getting the disease," she said.

"While it is not a guarantee for everyone, the vaccine remains our most effective weapon in the war against meningococcal B."

Dr O'Hallahan said the younger a child was, the more vulnerable they were to the disease.

"It is important that children and young people complete all three doses," she said.

The Ministry of Health says it is critical that young babies who began their vaccinations before they were six months old, have all four doses.

Under-20s have until the end of the year to complete all three doses, while newborns and under-fives will continue to be offered the programme until 2009.

In its early stages meningococcal disease can look like the flu. A baby or child might have a fever, be crying or unsettled, refuse drinks or feeds, vomit, be sleepy, floppy or hard to wake, dislike bright lights or have a rash or spots.

An adult may have a fever or headache, a stiff neck, joint pain and aching muscles, vomit, be sleepy, confused, delirious or unconscious, dislike bright lights, have a rash or spots.

Shots in the dark?

The meningococcal epidemic campaign finished in July.

* More than 1.15 million children have been immunised against the epidemic strain of the disease since the vaccination campaign started in July 2004.

* More than 3 million injections have been given, with the Ministry of Health saying 80 per cent of under-20s have completed all three doses with 80 per cent effectiveness.

* There were 35 cases of meningococcal disease last month, the highest monthly total since before children were fully vaccinated with three doses.

* Since 1991, there have been more than 5900 cases and 239 deaths from meningococcal disease. Less than half were confirmed as the epidemic strain.

[Angie and Mick]

Hi
I did not realise that you could get a jab for meningococcal Meningitis, why do they not give this in this country? Does it work?

Anna had Meningococcal Meningitis when she was 2 and a half, luckily we realised she was not well, call NHS Direct who sent the paramedic to check her. Her temperature was very high so they took her to hospital. At first the hospital did not treat for meningitis but gave some thing to get her temp down, had some febrile convulsions. Next day seemed a lot better but then temp rose again and not with it. Took blood tests however continued then to treat her for meningococcal meningitis. Some rash did appear. Medication worked, in hospital for 5 days, no ill affects thank god. Confirmed several days later as meningitis.

Her cousin who we had been in contact week before also fell ill, because we had informed them that Anna possible had men they treated him with the antibiotics. He to had it.

I feel very, very lucky when you read of other stories where children die or lose limbs.

We had to take the medication as well, sent your pee bright orange. Just glad Anna had not been at nursery for quite a few weeks as she had previously had chicken Pox then on holiday to see the family in Devon.

[westies]

Kids in the UK are vaccinated for men c already, and I think men b will be introduced at some stage over there, obviously different strains are prevalent in different countries, same with hep b, not yet recommended in uk but is over here, more protection the better in my eyes, no such thing as over protection!!

[Tanya]

Child dies after being fully vaccinated in NZ

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=204&ObjectID=10395495

shame but nothing is 100% I guess

Tanya

[westies]

You are absolutely right, nothing is 100%, if only!!!
Unimaginable the extent of tragedy were there no vacines though!!

[Angie and Mick]

Just been listening to the news and the uk are introducing the vac for Men B, about time to I would say.

[Babette & Andy]

My two (aged 3 and 7) are midway through their injections for both Hep B and Men B. Asked around alot when deciding if the combined 12 injections (!) was needed on top of what they already had. Was given the advise, by an english nurse migrant, that in different countries you have different strains. With there being so many migrants around our area (Auckland) a lot of different diseases appear here. AKL has also been a 'hot spot' for Men B. Looking at the leaflets there really was no choice. No immunisation is 100% I know, but I feel better knowing we've done what we can to protect them.

Babette