Shot of Prevention

“You never know what you’re going to get.”

I believe this famous statement from Forest Gump is so frequently recited because it speaks the truth.  We all have unknowns in our lives.  No matter how much we try to control them.

Today, as I sit at my computer, next to an enormous heart-shaped box of chocolates, I can’t help but think of this quote.  I have just discovered that my  cherished Valentine’s gift was recently ransacked by  – I suspect - my youngest daughter, (who I saw sneaking a piece of chocolate on her way to the bus stop this morning).  I notice the empty spaces where some of my favorite nut varieties would be.  And I discover a half eaten piece with mystery nougat pouring out – discards from my daughter when she realized the bitter taste of dark chocolate.

As I look upon my half eaten box, my surprise turns to gratitude.  Instead of being upset, I’m actually grateful that she has saved me from myself (the last thing I need right now is more chocolate, especially before breakfast!).  And I realize, once again, that all my children have managed to steal my heart – both literally and figuratively.  I simply could not imagine my life without them. And my biggest fear is that I may one day lose them from something I have no control over.

I guess this is why I find the vaccination conversation so intriguing.  We know that a small percentage of parents are so fearful about vaccines that they choose not to vaccinate, all while exposing their children to a greater risk of problems that can occur as a result of contracting a disease.  We also know that the overwhelming majority of parents realize that these dangerous diseases can be unpredictable and that it’s best to simply help prevent these diseases by getting them vaccinated.

But then there are those unfortunate parents whose children are too young to be vaccinated.  They intend to vaccinate, but before their child is old enough, they fall victim to vaccine preventable diseases.

Why?

Well, because when it comes to public health, we’re all like a big box of chocolates.  You never know what you’re going to get; when disease is going to spread and who it’s going to spread to.

Like it or not, one person’s decision can have a direct impact on the health of another.   Which is why vaccinating parents are concerned about the decisions of others not to vaccinate.

Emily discusses Everlee's battle with pertussis in detail on the Moms Who Vax blog.

Earlier this month, I read a touching story about a precious five-week old child named Everlee.  Her mother, Emily provided details of how Everlee contracted pertussis and suffered for weeks in the hospital.  Through an unfortunate series of events, Everlee’s nine-year old sister sat next to a child with pertussis in her school.  It’s suspected that the highly contagious bacteria likely traveled home on her clothes, where she unknowingly infected her too young to be vaccinated sister. Read more…

I woke up this morning, admittedly cranky.  I didn’t sleep well and I’ve had a lot on my mind.  To add to my misery, I’ve gone a week without a dishwasher, and unfortunately the pile of dishes in the sink never seems to disappear.  My biggest complaint today was that I was going to have to accept that the dishwasher part would not arrive in time for “the big day”.  Therefore, I am destined to prepare an elaborate Thanksgiving meal for my family without the assitance of my go-to appliance.

I was still annoyed when I sat down at my computer and began reading my morning emails.  I came across this email from a colleague.  Someone who knows what it’s like to live with longing.  A reliable person who has become the go-to person for many families who have suffered the loss of a child.  A vaccine advocate who works tirelessly to ensure that we do everything possible to protect children from vaccine preventable diseases.

In just a few short paragraphs, she put my Thanksgiving preparations in perspective.  There is plenty to be thankful for.  But today I am especially thankful for all the people I’ve come to know through my work here on Shot of Prevention.  I couldn’t begin to name them all, but they are the moms, dads, bloggers, healthcare professionals, scientists and public health specialists who work so hard hoping to spare others from the suffering they’ve come to know from vaccine preventable diseases.

I hope you will read this guest post from Frankie Milley  and take a moment to reflect on all the blessings in your life.

‘Tis the Season,  by Frankie Milley

Tis the season…. Today is my husband’s birthday. Sixty one of them he has had now. We were married 38 years ago and thought, by this time, we would have some beautiful grandchildren and they would be here with us, along with our precious son Ryan and his wife, to celebrate this day, and Thanksgiving, and Christmas. However, vaccine preventable meningococcal meningitis took that away from us. 

I started this day off like every other reading about meningitis around the world.  I leave my comments on various articles and hope that if one person reads them and becomes educated, then one life might be saved or spared.  They may not come to know the tragedy of this nightmare I am living.

Today my heart is breaking. Read more…

As a parent, my biggest fear is that something horrible may one day happen to one of my children.  It’s like a big, dark, mysterious shadow constantly lurking behind me.  While I do my best to go about my life, trying to enjoy every blessed moment with my husband and children, I’m constantly aware that life can change in the blink of an eye.

We’ve all known people who’ve died.  Maybe in a car crash. Or maybe after battling cancer.  Maybe from old age or maybe as a result of a birth defect.  But when you hear of a family who has lost their child to influenza…well.. it just seems so…unbelievable.

Many people mistakenly believe that influenza is not particularly dangerous.  It’s often compared to a bad cold.  In fact, people throw the word “flu” around in such a way that perhaps it is becoming too common place. How many times have you heard someone say, “I don’t feel well. I must have the flu,” yet their symptoms suggest it’s just a persistent cold.  I’ve even heard people talk about a “24-hour flu” or the “stomach flu”.  Could it be that using the word “flu” in this way contributes to the perception that the flu isn’t really as dangerous as it can be?

It’s important that people realize that the flu is a serious illness that kills more Americans each year than all other vaccine preventable diseases combined.   It is estimated that each year, between 10 and 20 percent of the U.S. population will be infected with the virus, which will result in the death of approximately 3,000 to 49,000 people in the United States alone.

Unfortunately, there are families who know how serious influenza can be.  Sadly, these are the people who have watched their children suffer or die as a result of the flu.  These are the parents who, despite their pain, speak out courageously through an organization known as Families Fighting Flu in hopes that they can prevent their story from becoming yours. Read more…

October marks the official start of influenza season.  To  highlight the dangers of the flu and the benefits of vaccination, I plan to incorporate a new feature called “Friday Flu Shots” throughout the course of the next few months.

Today’s Friday Flu Shot focuses on personal experiences.

Just last week I was chatting with a neighbor at the bus stop.  She was talking about the health problems of her asthmatic son.  When I casually asked if she had gotten him his flu shot yet, she matter-of-factly explained that her husband had the shot once before and then he got really sick with the flu.  Somehow that “experience” has since kept all three of her children, as well as herself and her husband, from getting an influenza vaccine each year.

Now, I can’t say that I was surprised by her responses.  Unfortunately, I’ve heard these similar objections before.  As well as many others.

To be honest, if people are looking for a reason NOT to vaccinate for the flu, there are plenty of excuses to be used. Read more…

In reading various immunization related news this week, I was surprised to find at least a dozen or more articles still focusing on the political aspects of the HPV vaccine.

This time, rather than focusing on Michele Bachmann’s careless disregard for the vaccine, several articles were focusing on what may have been a significant motivator for Rick Perry’s decision to try to require the HPV vaccine for young Texas girls.  Interestingly enough, the focus has turned to Perry’s own wife.  As The New York Times describes, Anita Thigpen Perry is not only her husband’s ”close confidante”, but a woman ”with expertise in women’s health… a nurse, country doctor’s daughter, and career-long advocate for victims of sexual assault who has been a vocal proponent of immunizations”.  I can’t say that I’m surprised. Nor am I offended.  I think it’s only natural that Governor Perry may have been influenced by his wife’s personal experiences.

However, while Perry has come under fire for his attempt to mandate the HPV vaccine years ago, California Governor Jerry Brown is currently faced with another controversial bill that would allow minors, 12 and older, to receive prevention services for STDs without parental consent.  Such services would therefore include the HPV vaccinations to protect against strains of Human papillomavirus, a virus that can cause cervical cancer.

In contemplating this measure, it’s important to note that children as young as 12 are already able to consent to diagnosis and treatment for STDs.  As one doctor explains, ”What this adds is them being able to receive prevention … which is obviously a very important part of health care.”

In an interview with The Boston Herald, Dr. Gary Leiserowitz, professor and chief at the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of California, Davis, Medical Center, said Read more…

This past weekend, I was reminded that New York City lost over 300 firefighters as a result of the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11^th, 2001.  Prior to this horrible tragedy, new recruits were mentored by the more experienced firefighters during “on the job” training.  However, as a result of the immense loss of knowledge and experience that occurred on that shocking day, the Fire Department has responded to new recruit needs by incorporating more classroom instruction into their training programs, ensuring new firefighters are well prepared prior to arriving on the job.

After learning this, I thought about the recent conversation I had with one of the Every Child By Two Scientific Advisory Board members, Dr. Georges Peter.  The depth and scope of his experience in the field of immunizations is not only impressive, but irreplaceable.   And while Dr. Peter may be officially retired, he remains quite active sharing the knowledge he has gained since graduating from Harvard Medical School in 1964, serving on multiple advisory boards, and holdings the title of Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

There is no doubt that Dr. Peter’s professional input has helped shape immunization policy and practices over the course of the past 47 years.  Yet, even in his retirement, he continues to mentor others and dedicate his life to ensuring that doctors are properly educated and instructed on immunizations.  Clearly, our conversation revealed a man who is humbled by an illustrious career, as well as a man whose depth of knowledge is matched only by his devotion to medicine and his compassion towards children.

 Prevention is something to be proud of.

Dr. Peter didn’t always know he wanted to be a doctor.  He had originally thought he would pursue a career in law.  However, as a result of personal experiences he had as a patient in college, he decided to go into medicine.  Since he had always enjoyed children, and even worked summers as a camp counselor, his interests naturally led him to consider a specialty in pediatrics.

He explains,

“Pediatrics has a wonderful trait in that children are extraordinarily resilient.  And the vast majorities of children get better and have their entire lives ahead of them. It’s a win-win situation.” 

Later, as he developed a fascination for microbiology, an appreciation for antibiotics and a respect for the discovery of penicillin, he saw the value of being able to treat infectious diseases.  Fortunately, during a fellowship in an Infectious Disease department in Boston, he had the opportunity to work with three influential mentors, one of which was a co-founder of one of the Hib vaccines.  This is when he made some key realizations. Read more…