Why is Texas requiring Hepatitis A vaccinations for kids for school?

[Ilsa]

From what I can see, the statistics and likelihood of getting viral Hep A is extremely low. My 13 year old son is very autistic. He would have to be tied down to get that vax. I'm not going to do it, and I don't want to put him through it. He's had all of his other vaccines, including his chicken pox, and his school nurse has claimed that he's had chicken pox -- twice. Goddamn it, enough is enough!

[MgtPA]

1. My daughter's middle school required Hep A in 2008 (Pennsylvania)

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. disregard

misread

[seabeyond]

3. because there was an outbreak in a small town about five years ago, effecting a small amount of

people.... ergo, became law.

research on hep A shows the vast majority, when in contact, dont even know they got it. some have flu like. and a very few are seriously effected

that justifies MUST vacs for all...

and if you dont hoorah it, you are anti science, anti vac.

and shame on you

probably fundie too

[Ilsa]

4. "probably fundie too" LOL. Actually I'm closer to being an "Absurdist"!

But if I can get my son out of taking this vax by signing some form invoking religious objections, then I'll do it.

[sharp_stick]

5. HepA is actually very easy to get

It can be orally transmitted very easily because it causes diarrhea. If you go to a restaurant with an infected worker not washing hands properly and then handling food you can get it. Sorry I know it's disgusting but it's one of the most common ways to come down with it.

Fecal/Oral transmission between small children is also common in day care centers and schools.

Hep A disease however is normally quite mild with only about 100 deaths in the US per year and no chronic concerns as there are with Hep B and C.

http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/virol/hepatitis-disease.htm

On edit unless the kids are immuno-compromised I don't know if it's worth getting the shot.

[Ilsa]

7. I know how it's transmitted.. I'm a nurse. I'm saying that I don't think it's worth it.

I'm dealing with enough with his autism. I don't want to have to deal with a higher likelihood of even a short term adverse vax event when Hep A stats are so low.

[sharp_stick]

8. I don't think I'd do it either

hell, if he gets hepA it can probably be dealt with easier than the consequences of making him go through with a shot.

[Laelth]

6. My daughters in GA just got it. Required by the state. No clue why.

Probably kickback to a vaccine producer who, in turn, donates money to state legislators.

:dem:

-Laelth

[kenny blankenship]

9. Something they know about Texas school cafeterias?

[Ilsa]

10. Who said my my kid eats in the school cafeteria? Besides, I think

those employees are required to get the shot.

I trust the cleanliness of the school cafeteria over any restaurant establishment in the city.

[Ilsa]

11. Here is the statistic for Texas: Hep A incidence has dropped from

12.6 cases per 100,000 population in 1990 to 1.1 cases per 100,000 population in 2008. In 2008, only 259 cases were reported statewide.

[sinkingfeeling]

12. Maybe because Texas is showing improvement with eradicating it via vaccination? Studies showed it

was very high in Mexican border cities where people traveled back and forth. Vaccination has been required since 2005, according to this.

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/hivstd/info/edmat/HepABDecline.pdf

Cases of hepatitis A in Texas have drastically declined since the availability of vaccine in 1995. The vaccination recommendations originally targeted children in communities experiencing a lot of disease. The incidence of hepatitis A has dropped from 12.6 cases per 100,000 population in 1990 to 1.1 cases per 100,000 population in 2008. The hepatitis A decline has been attributed to successful vaccination efforts implemented across the state. These recommendations were initially implemented in 1999 in the 32 border counties and were then expanded statewide in 2005. The vaccination recommendations were targeted at children attending school and childcare facilities. This strategy has been very successful in decreasing the amount of hepatitis A cases in the state. In 2008, only 259 cases were reported statewide.

[Ilsa]

16. My child has enough to deal with. No way am I adding this

to his load, not with his level of disability. Statistically, his risk of contracting HepA is extremely low.

[SoCalDem]

13. Here'sn a possibility.. Kids hold hands, touch each other, and play together in close proximity

and many children these days have sketchy living conditions.. All it takes is for one kid to get it, and it can run rampant.. better to protect all the kids.. It's an OLD vaccine, and should be safe enough after all this time..

[Ilsa]

17. It's also very painful. And he isn't an autistic preschooler. Hell, I wish he WOULD

play with other kids.

[Lance_Boyle]

14. He's had all his vaccinations but would have to be 'tied down' for this one?

What's so different about the Hep A vaccine? Mine felt just like any other vaccination. If the school system requires it, get it, or get out of the school system.

[Ilsa]

18. No, we aren't getting out of the school system. Under IDEA, we aren't leaving.

I've spent the afternoon researching our options, and I'm filing for his exemption.
He hasn't had a vax since he was a toddler. He's bigger than me now, so yes, he'd have to be tied down. Did I mention that he's very autistic? He broke my nose, twice, a couple of years ago.

Yeah, it isn't fair that he doesn't take the vax. But I'll trade his autism for a whole slew of vaccines any day. It isn't fair that he has it.

[Posteritatis]

15. Funny thing about vaccinations is that they reduce the likelihood of contracting things. (nt)