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AIBU?

To give my kids inoculations for a short trip to a high risk country?

33 replies

fromheretomaternity · 21/12/2015 22:58

Background - we are going to Pakistan for a family wedding, staying with my sister in law. It's a short trip of 5 days.

Today I took DS1 (7) and DS2 (5) for their travel jabs. Although they both want to go on the trip, unsurprisingly they weren't very happy about the jabs despite bribes of Haribo. DH is now on at me saying how ridiculous it is to subject them to injections for what is a very short trip, chances of picking anything up are vanishingly small etc.

AIBU? He thinks I've unnecessarily subjected them to pain and upset. I think it's dumb to take any risks on this. To be honest I don't know how high the risks are, just went with the travel advice. Nb they had all their normal childhood jabs and DH had no objections to those.

OP posts:

Report

Gileswithachainsaw · 21/12/2015 22:59

No idea what the risks are. however surely anytbing that reduces the possibility of dealing with medical treatment in a foreign country and the complications that brings is a good thing surely?

Pippioddstocking · 21/12/2015 23:01

YANBU - what a wise woman . I wish all patients were as sensible as you .

expatinscotland · 21/12/2015 23:02

YANBU

dementedpixie · 21/12/2015 23:03

Yanbu we got jabs for our 2 week holiday to Dominican Republic plus the most foul tasting malaria tablets we had to take for weeks before and after. Dd and ds weren't impressed with any of them but better to be safe than sorry

Bunbaker · 21/12/2015 23:07

YANBU. Quite the opposite. You are being very sensible. You can pick up a lot of nasties in 5 days.

NorthernLurker · 21/12/2015 23:40

YANBU. Point out to dh that it may be a short trip but you will be seeing a lot of people plus close contact in airports etc.

Why don't you point out to him that infant mortality in the uk is 4.5 deaths per 1000 live births, in Pakistan it's 59.5. That might start to hint to him why this is important.

ShanghaiDiva · 21/12/2015 23:45

You are being sensible. my dd hates having any vaccinations - screams and kicks - but we live in a developing country and she has them even if it is unpleasant at the time.

pilpiloni · 21/12/2015 23:49

Get medical advice, maybe even email a local doctor?. A lot depends on where exactly you're going and where you're staying and the time of year.

AdoraBell · 21/12/2015 23:52

YANBU at all OP

missingmumxox · 22/12/2015 01:31

The biggest group of people who get unwell abroad from failing to get vaccinations are... Drum roll please... Those visiting family and friends, they are most likely to act like your dh, sad fact is your immunity to normal illnesses goes down after being away from home for some time so yummy bugs more likely, and the nasties even more so, you are nbu...
But make sure you let the nurse/doctor know you are staying with family and if you will be exposed to animals as well as location rabies is one that tends to get missed if we think it's a straight forward tourist holiday

missingmumxox · 22/12/2015 01:33

Hey! I want yummy bugs...
Tummy bugs you predictive text bastard!

4 times I have had to correct the y to a t now getting pissed off

LaLaLaaaa · 22/12/2015 01:37

My dad nearly died from malaria caught on a 2 day trip to Kenya because he thought he wouldn't both with anti malarials. 15 years on he still has a heart condition caused by the drug they used to save him.

It's important. YANBU

novemberchild · 22/12/2015 01:43

The chances ARE small, but iyswim, that's enough, if you happen to be the one. I would do it. You're being a good mum.

LaLyra · 22/12/2015 02:03

If the chances were that small and worth taking then the travel advice would be "vaccinations are advised for stayed over x number of days".

Not unreasonable at all. In fact he's being utterly unreasonable.

araiba · 22/12/2015 04:09

1 day or 1 year- take whatever treatments are suggested

knobblyknee · 22/12/2015 04:16

I'm shocked anyone would think you are being unreasonable. Is it relevant how long you would be there? Theres either a risk of exposure or there isnt.

GP's dont hand out vaccines to kids unless they believe they are necessary :)

tiddlyipom · 22/12/2015 05:17

YANBU.
I have just come back from the doctor's surgery where we have all had vaccines for typhoid, hepatitis and a tetanus booster.
We are going to Cambodia, although the risk is small, it is there.
I would never forgive myself if my DC got a preventable disease for the sake of a few moments discomfort.

notafanofwinter · 22/12/2015 06:26

Visiting family & friends tends to pose a higher risk than a business traveller staying in a city centre hotel.
But be aware that there are lots of other health risks that you can't vaccinate them against.

I'd compare it to road travel, you wouldn't let your DC go in a car without wearing a seatbelt, like you wouldn't expose them to diseases that you could vaccinate them against.
Have a great trip.

Idefix · 22/12/2015 06:34

Yanbu op, as another pp stated staying with family poses a greater risk than staying hotels etc. Remember to take care regarding risks that you are not vaccinated against. Also please complete the courses when you return so that you are ready for the next trip

Hope you have a fab time.

wonkylegs · 22/12/2015 06:35

I picked up TB in Kenya on a 5day business trip (where I barely met anybody outside of my office or hotel) my mum hadn't immunised me as I child because she didn't want me to have a scar , it was a rather unpleasant surprise, luckily I was treated quickly (very vile long course of treatment)
I wish my Mum had been more rational like you.

Ememem84 · 22/12/2015 07:00

Surely if it was unnecessary your GP would have just sent you away?

Yanbu

Bunbaker · 22/12/2015 07:00

Sorry to hear about your dad LaLa. My friend's husband died from malaria.

sashh · 22/12/2015 07:18

It's not about the length of the trip it's more to do with exposure to certain illnesses.

I'm guessing if you are flying in then other people will be too.

How many guests? 100 is small from what I know of Asian weddings so how many guests will there be? How many people in your SIL's house?

You have absolutely done the right thing.

cariadlet · 22/12/2015 08:12

subject them to pain and upset. For goodness sake, what an overreaction. I've taken dd for dozens of travel injections. She doesn't like them. No child does. But they're over in minutes.

They'd be subjected to a lot more pain and upset if they did catch a preventable illness.

hefzi · 22/12/2015 10:14

I think you're very sensible - but don't forget, even when you have been immunised against typhoid, it is still possible to catch it: so it's important still to keep an eye on hygiene.

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