Somehow I find this unnecessary and insulting

[sammyjayneex]

So my baby is 4 weeks old and I've had an appointment booked (without me even agreeing) for my baby to have the BCG vaccine. Before leaving the hospital I was told that my baby would be offered it because he's mixed race. I left the hospital thinking I'm not injecting my baby with chemicals on the basis he's 'mixed race'
I find it unnecessary and insulting. So a baby who lives on the same street as me won't be offered it because that child is White but mine will because he's mixed race. I find it insulting and won't be attending the appointment they booked for him without my consent. Any one else think it's unnecessary to offer it to babies based on skin colour?

All newborns here in Ireland receive the BCG , irrespective of colour or ethnicity.

It's not about visiting another country. His family may travel and bring a disease back. Adults get tb and a child can easily get it from them. It's worse for children who get it.

Not unnecessary or insulting - they were just doing their job.

Like you I was very unlikely to travel or be in contact with family that travelled.

I gave my daughter the shot as I could to see a single negative to her having the protection.

Be grateful.

You are being utterly ridiculous.

Also, it's unusual for families who never visit, to suddenly want to do so when a baby is born.

As has been explained to you (but you don't seem to be listening in your desire to be offended) the BCG has not been offered to your baby because of his skin colour per se, but because he falls into one of the groups considered to be at higher risk of being exposed to TB. These groups include babies with family members from countries with high rates of TB infection. It will be offered to all babies in this category, regardless of skin colour. Either have it or don't, but you would be very foolish not to just to make a point - TB is a terrible, and increasingly difficult to treat disease.

*not unusual

You have no idea what the future may hold. You could come into some money and decide to travel. Your husbands family could do the same. There could be an emergency or tragedy in the family that requires travel to you, or you to them (even if your baby doesn't travel, others could and pass it on)

Just take the damn vaccine and be thankful your child can have it. They're not unnecessary chemicals, protecting a child's life is pretty much the peak of necessity.

SnotGoblin

Why would I have 'proper battles' to fight with a mixed race child? Care to elaborate ?

My DH and all of his work colleagues had to be tested last year, because someone at his work place discovered they had TB.

Fortunately everyone was clear but it was a very worrying time.

There is also the issue of latent TB, depending on where your OH us from. If he has it, and becomes unwell with active TB in future, your more genetically predisposed child is ay serious risk of contracting the illness from him.

Of course, you'd know all this is if you actually bothered to read up on TB instead of getting in an arse!

Why would I have 'proper battles' to fight with a mixed race child? Care to elaborate ?

I know that question wasn't aimed at me but if I might answer anyway with the bleedin' obvious...

Racism maybe? Now that's a battle lots of people are sadly having to deal with.

Well maybe the midwifes mistake was the way she told me. She told me 'because your child's mixed race' so basing it on skin colour. To me the way she told why he had to have it was insulting.

Bloody hell, just vaccinate your child with the life saving vaccine they are offering you.

Whether you like it or not, for whatever reason, you are more likely to contract TB if you are black or Asian.

My children were given the BCG vaccine because we lived in London. When I was a child everyone was given it. I was pleased that my children were going to be protected against a horrible illness rather than wondering whether to be offended about it or not.
What happens if, by any chance at all, a member of your husband's family decided to visit?
You seem to be professionally insulted. In your shoes I would wind my neck in and gratefully accept the vaccination.

My baby is mixed race, and we'll be having this vaccine when he's born. I've also had tests for diseases more prevalent in my husband's ethnicity - why on earth would you take the chance?

But my child shouldn't have to go through 'proper battles' because of skin colour and racism. It's sad we live in a world where I get told my child is destined to suffer 'proper battles' because of his skin colour and because of some ignorant evil people in the world. I guess I wouldn't have much of a problem if my child was white
I feel
Sorry for my kids

Another factor is that TB can lie dormant in your system for decades before becoming active. So your OH might have it and be unaware.

Well if the midwife wants people to understand the importance of having the vaccine then Maybe she should explain instead of saying 'oh it's coz he's mixed race'

Op you have a huge chip on your shoulder! Health professionals can't do anything right, they are trying to protect your baby from an illness that could kill him and you choose to take offence. If you feel he doesn't need it then that's your choice, it's not their fault for offering it

Why would I have 'proper battles' to fight with a mixed race child? Care to elaborate ?

Eye roll. For the reason you think you are fighting a non battle right now.

Because some people are racists.

You are shadow boxing. You are fighting the wrong people. I am not the enemy and I am not engaging with someone four weeks postpartum.

Good luck making your decision to give your baby a potentially life saving free vaccination.

There is also a higher incidence in certain areas (such as around airports) or in communities with a mixed population, who may themselves have visitors from or visit higher risk countries. Maybe the HV was crass in choice of words but rather than dismiss it you can discuss it with hcp at the appointment.

Its not just about you visiting other countries but also being in communities where others have visited those countries. There are carriers of TB who are often difficult to identify as they show no signs of the illness unless tested. TB is a nasty illness that is on the increase dramatically in the UK, and is also becoming antibiotic resistant which is causing more spread in the UK. You are talking from a view point of ignorance - sorry but you clearly know nothing about the prevalence and severity of the risk to everyone particularly those of certain communities with the very young and v old being v vulnerable to it. My Mother had it aged 7, very mild course of treatment in the UK at a sanitorium for 1 yr (away from parents at the time) all well and good. Now aged 70 she suffers with breathing problems, is v vulnerable to lung infections and takes a long time to clear up, has developed asthma too. Why? Oh that will be the severe lug scars caused by TB. Her sister has only one functioning lung as a result.

Actually this vaccination isn't chemical the way it works is there is a test for resistance and if there is none then a small sterile amount of the virus is used to enable the body to create antibodies which will protect the body in the long term. So showing more ignorance on your part.

As with all vaccinations do some flippin research and get informed and don't assume anyone referring to race is racist

But my child shouldn't have to go through 'proper battles' because of skin colour and racism.

Has anyone here said he should?

I was offered for the same reason. I pointed out that we never travel to high risk countries, and don't see any of DC's extended family who live in these countries. So are no higher risk than a "normal" white British person . They didn't have the injections. I think the process for deciding who qualifies could be better!