One Year Shots the Same Day as International Travel?

Get her shots at least a week before so you can watch for reactions. If you can't do that, then wait. You don't want to be out of the country or on the plane and have a reaction. Good luck!

If it were me, I'd wait. You have no idea what kind of reaction you will get, and you would hate for her to have a high fever when she is in a strange environment. The chance of her getting an uncomfortable reaction are higher than the chances of her getting one of these specific diseases while in Portugal. Have a great trip!

Okay, I would talk to my doctor---either move the shots up a week or wait til you get back. See what he recommends. I would not give her the shots and travel internationally the next day. What if she has a reaction?

I'd be more concerned about the MMR shot then traveling without all those shots. I'd be concerned that you are 'aware' that she reacts to vaccines at all.

check out www.909shot.com

Check out the MMR vaccine and see what the reactions and side affects can be should you go forward with the shot. But you should be researching EVERY vaccine before you inject so you know what to expect. Was the boy from Holland already vaccinated? Those who are ALREADY vaccinated have a higher percentage of contracting them. But the media 'fails' to mention that part whenever there is an outbreak. (see all the statistics on the website).
We haven't had a case of polio since 1957 EXCEPT for the vaccine induced cases......but again, the media fails to report that aspect of it.

Yes, you can read the websites from the entities who created the vaccine system.....but they WON'T give you both sides.
You need to study the 'history' of vaccines which shows that most of the diseases were already on a decline when vaccines were introduced. THEN rose again after the vaccines were given.

There is TOO much to research to make a quick decision. But understanding the 'partnerships' between the pharmaceutical companies, the CDC, the FDA, the WHO....and other gov't agencies - will give you a clearer picture.

Check out and research before you are more fearful of NOT getting them....then the rightful fear of her reactions after the fact.

As far as what your doctor is telling you is a flat out lie. CA is an opt out state. EVERY state has an opt out option of either religious, medical or philosophical reasons. Vaccines are NOT mandatory...there are no 'legalities' involved. Vaccines are VOLUNTARY - period.

Unfortunately the majority of doctors and school officials will tell you that you 'have' to have vaccines to enter school. Bogus. You sign a waiver form that you aren't vaccinating and that's the end of it.

Good luck....

The only time my kids had reactions to their shots was after the one-year appointment. I would wait until after you return home. If you are concerned about the MMR I think just getting the MMR shot is not a bad idea, the rest can wait until you return.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
~N.

I know there is ALOT of ANTI-Vaccine noise on the website, so instead of giving my personal opinion, here is the info from the CDC website. Read the info and then discuss with your doctor whom you trust.
Have a great trip.
______________________________________________________
In the News
2008 Measles Update
This information is current as of today, June 14, 2008 at 13:49
Updated: April 11, 2008

Measles remains a common disease in many parts of the world. For many U.S. travelers, the risk for exposure to measles can be high, but the illness can be prevented by the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine.

Worldwide, more than 20 million people are affected by measles each year;i of these cases, 242,000 result in death.ii Currently, numerous measles outbreaks are ongoing worldwide, including outbreaks in Switzerland and Israel, which have resulted in cases imported into the U.S. However, in 2007, the majority of imported cases in the United States were linked to India and Japan.

Recommendations for travelers
All travelers should be fully immunized and keep a copy of their immunization records with them as they travel.

Children 6–11 months of age
if they travel outside the U.S., should receive single-antigen measles vaccine before departure if it is available, or MMR vaccine if single-antigen measles vaccine is not available. (Note: measles or MMR vaccines given before 12 months of age should not be counted as part of the series. Children who receive measles or MMR vaccines before age 12 months will need 2 more doses of MMR vaccine, the first of which should be administered at 12–15 months of age (12 months if the child remains in a high-risk area), and the second at least 28 days later).
Children 12 months or older
who have received 2 doses of MMR or measles vaccine are considered immune to measles.
are also considered immune to measles if they have had the diagnosis of measles documented by a physician or have laboratory evidence of immunity.
Adolescents and Adults
who have received 2 doses of live measles-containing vaccine are generally considered immune to measles.
are also considered immune to measles if they have had the diagnosis documented by a physician, have laboratory evidence of immunity, or were born before 1957.
who cannot be considered immune based on the above criteria should receive 2 doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.
Information about Measles
Measles is a serious disease caused by the measles virus. It is spread by contact with an infected person, through coughing and sneezing. Measles virus can also remain active and contagious for up to 2 hours on infected surfaces. Measles typically presents with a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Some people who become sick with measles also get an ear infection (7%–9%), diarrhea (8%), or a serious lung infection, such as pneumonia (1%–6%). One of 1,500 people with measles develops inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). During recent years in the U.S., approximately 1 in every 4 measles cases has been hospitalized and 1 of 250 people with measles has died. Measles can cause especially severe disease in people who are malnourished or immunosuppressed (i.e., as a result of HIV infection, leukemia, lymphoma, or generalized malignancy) or in persons receiving immunosuppressive doses of certain drugs or radiation therapies.

Information about the Vaccine
The MMR vaccine also provides protection against rubella (German measles) and mumps. Rubella is caused by a virus that is spread by contact with an infected person, through coughing and sneezing. It can cause a rash, mild fever, and arthritis (mostly in women). If a woman gets rubella while she is pregnant, she could have a miscarriage or her baby could be born with serious birth defects, such as deafness, cataracts, or mental retardation. Mumps is caused by a virus that is spread by contact with an infected person, through coughing and sneezing, or by contact with saliva. It can cause fever and swelling of the parotid and other salivary glands and can result in meningitis, orchitis, and deafness.

Since the introduction of vaccines containing measles, rubella, or mumps vaccine viruses—and later the combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine—in the U.S., the numbers of reported cases of measles, mumps, and rubella, and of birth defects caused by rubella infection (congenital rubella syndrome), have decreased to extremely low levels. Measles and rubella are no longer endemic diseases in the U.S. due to our successful vaccination program. However, routine surveillance and vaccination remain necessary because of the continuing possibility that these diseases may be introduced from other countries. x

For more information, see the following links:

Measles (CDC Health Information for International Travel 2008)
Mumps (CDC Health Information for International Travel 2008)
Rubella (CDC Health Information for International Travel 2008)
MMR Vaccine, Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) (MMWR Recommendations and Reports, May 22, 1998)
Vaccines and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases website)
i World Health Organization. WHO measles media centre. Available at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/. Accessed April 10, 2008.

ii MMWR 2007; 56 (47); 1237–1241.

I completely understand your concern. This recent measles outbreak isn't just occurring in San Diego, it's been showing up in several states.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/health/20080501-1017-m...
My daughter ran a high fever about a week after her first birthday shots but she also cut four top teeth at the same time she ran the fever. She then ran a high fever about a week and a half after her 18 month shots but then she cut four molars at the same time she had the fever. I'm more inclined to believe her fever was from the teething instead of the shots because she didn't have the fever until at least a week after the shots. This was also her third high fever and the other bout didn't coincide with any shots but did coincide with her bottom four teeth cutting. No more fevers, no more shots, no more teeth since then but immediately after the shots, she was fine. My son never had any fevers, reactions or anything to shots other than a little soreness at the injection sites but he threw up every time he cut a tooth. He just got his 12 year shots about 6 months ago.
So, that's my experience. I guess the things you should consider is- Is there a history on either side of the family of allergic reactions to any vaccines? Has she had any reactions to her previous vaccines? Is she otherwise healthy (no fever, stuffy nose that's not clear but colored, a cough)Any other indications she might be sick? Are there any active outbreaks of anything where you're going? (you could probably check that with your boyfriend's family) If there is a reason to believe she could be exposed while she's there and she's healthy and there isn't a reason to assume she'll have a reaction, get the shots and give her a little tylenol before she gets them and pack some tylenol to take with you. With both my kids, the initial pre-shot dose was the only dose I gave them, they didn't need any after.
If you think she may be relatively safe from being exposed or she's sick or there is a reason to believe she'll have a reaction, wait until you return.

I would highly recommend that you either wait until a couple weeks after your return or do it a couple weeks before your trip. It is essential that your child's immunity be strong and uncomprimised when getting the shots. A long flight will already strongly challenge your child's immune system, which may mean a higher risk for reacting to the shots.

Hi B.,
I have a 2 yr old and we took her traveling to Europe last year. The last thing you want to do is for your daughter to be uncomforable and possibly get a reaction to what injections she is receiving. The doctors are pretty strict about giving injections 6 months after the last date. So even if she is due for her one year shot, if you got her last shots say at 6 months and 2 weeks, they will go by that schedule.

I know we wanted to get our daughters shots before hand also. Anyhow, we went on our trip and got them when we returned and she did have the fevers and so for a few days. I do suggest to get some medications just in case your daughter gets sick. I do not think Portugal is one of the countries that has a high risk disease, but check with your doctor or hospital. Your doctor can give you preventative meds. Always take Tylenol and Peptobismol for kids (your doctor can give you the appropriate dose for your childs weight).
I hope this helps.
I.
PS Do not take any liquids or gels on your carry-on. Check wiht TSA I think you may take 3oz. of liquids. They will let you take baby food, formula and Breast milk on the plane. In Europe they do not sell GERBER products, so If your daughter is as picky as mine, stock them up... along with diapers, wipes, and baby bottles or sippy cups. They are all very expensive overseas.

All I can tell you is that my daughter was one of the percentage of kids who had a reaction to the MMR and within 24 hours of getting her shots was running a fever and feeling lousy. I realize you have a hard choice to make with the concern about measles, but I also don't know that a vaccination is going to be immediately effective to protect on your trip anyway. Have you asked your doctor about that? Because if it's not an instant protection then it won't make a difference anyway if you're getting on a plane that day. I just can't imagine traveling with my daughter having the reaction that she did. Wish there was a pat answer for you. Good luck with your decision!

B.,

You have a lot to be concerned about. I would go out right now and read the Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert Sears. It is the newest book out there about Vaccines and will give you all sides of the story, why that vaccine was developed, about the disease, what the CDC says, INGREDIENTS, side effects, what he thinks. Another useful thing to this book is he has a safer recommended schedule for the shots, spacing them out.

Traveling to another country sure puts a spin on what to do. Do not let the doctor put fear into you about what to do. Become educated so you have the power and information to make the decision of what is right for YOUR baby.

MMR shots should not be given together, too much too soon for the immune system and especially if they want to give other ones as well.

Another great book to read that has been around for awhile is by Dr. Stephanie Cave, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Vaccinations.

i would wait ..or break up the shots..not get them all

Just want to set the record straight...the unvaccinated boy from San Diego became infected with measles after visiting Switzerland, not Holland.

(And congratulations on your daughter and your new life!)

I would suggest waiting for the immunizations. I have been doing a lot of reading about Autism (Jenny Mc Carthy's book is excellent - Louder than Words, A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism). Most of the stories suggest that it is brought on by immunizations and particularly the MMR shot. From what I can gather, the immune system was not strong enough to handle the immunization. Therefore, I would wait until after the trip so that she is at her strongest before the immunization. It seems easy to keep a 1 year-old away from people who are sick. Also the recommendation on the Center for Disease Control web site is 12-15 months, so getting it on return is within the guidelines. Have a good time and relax as it seems extremely unlikely that she will even be exposed to measle, mumps or rubella.
J., a 58 year old mother and grandmother

First, I don't think anyone should be on a moral bandwagon, I had the same experience as you(an acidient that turned into a blessing) Anyway, we have a year old and 3 year old and still falling in love every day and it is amazing. None of us neeed to get on a moral bandwagon, especially when not asked!!! NOW...back to your question..... I would wait. SOme kids get mild fevers and fussy. Mine never have but I am a nurse and I have seen some FUSSY babies. So if you are going to travel and have a "dramatic" baby, I would not want to complicate things more. And don;t worry about her not being vaccinated yet, if you traveled when she was this age, she wouldn't have had it yet. My advice on drugs: I never give tylenol before vaccines because it could mask a fever, and they don't give vaccines if you have a fever. Alos, ask your doctor about benadryl for the trip. I think you can give it at a year....It will help her sleep on plane. Good luck....

this is from a very renown pediatrician who was just on Larry King Live about vaccine his website is www.drjaygordon.com
By Dr. Jay Gordon

"I no longer give or recommend the MMR vaccine. I think that the risks exceed the benefits. Obviously, discuss this with your doctor but please know that the CDC declared rubella officially eradicated in the U.S. in 2005, measles remains a rare disease in America (30-40 cases/year) and mumps is also not very common.

Mumps can cause decreased fertility in teenage boys who get the illness and suffer testicular infection, but this is a very rare occurrence.

All three of these viruses continue to be associated with severe life-threatening complications in other countries, but the vaccine—including the “split” vaccines—enough risk to outweigh the benefit for healthy North American or European children.”

Try to get her shots the Friday before. The doctor will probably do that for you.

I disagree with the Moms who say not to get certain immunizations. Think of it this way. If your child does not get them and many other children do not get them, then if yours or other children go to a country where the shot is not required, your child will be highly succeptible to getting it. You are better off safe than sorry. If you are going to another country, try to get all of her shots in before.

I would wait until I got back, because the vaccines really stress out the immune system and so does traveling. I would hate for it to be overloaded and then have her end up with a reaction out of the states without your doctor around. You might consider splitting up the MMR into 3 separate visits at least a month a part?

Oh, and your DOCTOR IS LYING TO YOU about the school. California has 3 vaccine exemptions and by law each school MUST have a vaccine waiver available....and you can get any or all whenever you want. Our kids are not vaccinated and all I did was sign the waiver in both private and public schools. I was never vaccinated either and went to 7 college and even grad school.

PS:
My oldest son who is 5 has contracteds measles, mumps and rubella independently of the others naturally and he's fine. We have good sanitation and good nutrition. Most of these diseases people don't die from.

I would wait until you get back. That is a long enough flight for your little one without her feeling ill on top of it. My son always seems sick for 24 hrs. after his vaccinations and it would be a miserable time to travel for him. Good luck!

Well I travel a lot too with my daughter and I find the peace of mind from getting the shots much easier to deal with than the reaction to the shots. I practically get vertigo when I start thinking about all the germs going around Heathrow Airport, the entire planet is sneezing on those doorknobs, all those third world countries. If she is only one year old she will probably just sleep it off anyway. Make sure you bring fever medicine with you on the plane. Suppositories are really easy to use. I'm sure she'll be fine. I really don't think that anyone has measles mumps or rubella anywhere you will be, but it's still better to know you're safe. And most kids don't really react all that bad. If anything it is just a little fever and maybe sore on their arm or leg where they got the shot. A little tylenol will fix her right up. Good Luck!!

Well B.,
Let's get the moral bandwagon out of the way first. Congratulations on Sierra, it's unfortunate that you have to still be falling in love with the father instead of already being in love and then having a baby. I wish your family all the strength to succeed.
Anyway, getting shots right before you fly won't be that big of deal unless you make it that. It comes down to how much you and the father can stand more than what Sierra can. We always gave our kids (boy and girl) tylenol before their shots, ***note BEFORE, I only say that as our neighbors have a new baby and just got the 1st series of shots and didn't give the tylenol until after, not good.
So, Sierra will be a little fussy but not any more than what she would probably be on a plane ride of that length anyway, get the shots and just do a good job of parenting on the plane ie. have plenty of things for her to play with to take her mind off of the shots.
best to you and your family
K & K

I don't know when your trip is, but if you have time before, I'd get the vaccines two weeks before you leave. My children haven't had too many problems with shots, although my youngest recently had her 15 month round and ended up with a huge red, swollen, hard spot around the injection sight (DTaP) for about a week after the shots. Different doctors give shots at different times, so just talk to your doctor to see what he/she thinks. Have fun in Portugal! :)

I would wait until you get back. I agree with you she has enough going against her why add the risk of a reaction to the shot even if it is minor she will be uncomfortable. As for the fear of the measles the chance is smaller then the chance of a severe reaction to the shot & IF she did catch it from experiece she will be fine. Good luck this is just the begining of the hard choice we have to make as parents.
Mom of 3 healthy kids 16, 14, & 5 none have had any shots!!

Hello,

Have a great trip! If I were you, I would wait on the shots until you return. If your baby had a reaction to the shots you would want to be home with your own doctor and not in another country. Besides babies typically do not feel good after their shots and they want to be home. I wouldn't want to start the trip on a bad note. I did not get my daughter's shots right on her birthday either.

I hope that helps,
K.

Not such a great Idea, Most kids are sick after shots, I have friends that feel ill after shots.
Anyway, I hope you have done all your research on shots and feel completely at ease with your decision. There is alot to learn about them and your doctors will not give you the information.
Good Luck,
S.

We just flew to Sydney, Australia on my daughter's first b-day two weeks ago and she got her shots that morning before we left. She was totally fine! If your daughter doesn't get typical reactions from her previous shots, she'll be fine. They only give 2 shots anyways, and bring the baby tylenol just in case. It helped my daughter sleep a bit better on the 14 hour flight!

Have a great trip!
G.

Aloha B., You sound so happy with your life. Blessings. Hearing your story & being a mother myself of grown children, I would recommend waiting until you return. Why add more stress. Every baby is different, but I do remember mine being very cranky, at times feverish, dirraheal after having baby shots. Hope I was helpful, & please just relax & have a wonderful trip.

I would go off how she has reacted to shots in the past- you're right to be concerned about her traveling without the shots. You never know who you're going to be exposed to. My daughter was always very intense, too, but she also travels fairly well and has very little reaction to shots (sleeps more, but that's all). And she didn't have any more/less reaction to the MMR, but I've heard it can be harder on some babies. Have you flown with her before? Don't forget a pacifier or something for her to suck on! Somehow I got lucky and my daughter doesn't have any problems with her inner ears on planes (we've flown to and from the midwest four times in her short life), but I always feel so bad for the other babies and toddlers screaming on the planes!

MMR is the most dangerous of all vaccines. Go to Thinktwice.com or read about it in The Sanctity of Human Blood by Tim O'Shea.

Ask your doctor to split up the MMR into three vaccines and just get the measels portion the morning of your trip and the rest of her shots when you get back. One shot shouldn't make her too unhappy for the trip (but the long flight might!). The MMR is the vaccine that all of the autisum organizations warn people about. Of any vaccine to request be split up, that's the one. I have a few friends who have kids on the autism spectrum so next time around (if we have another baby) I'll be following The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for your child by Dr. Robert Sears. Good luck!

That is such a tough call/decision. Can you get JUSt the MMR and no others? I'm not big on meds, but after my son had his one year shots I did give him some children's tylenol and he SLEPT. also gave him cool washcloth on his arms where they were so hot from the shots. He did want to breast feed more for the next couple of days.
It is worth it to get that one MMR shot. When my family lived in England for one year, my one year brother and I got our vaccines before we left, but they had a different strain of measles going around in that part of England and we both got very sick--brother ended up in hospital. The doctor said if hadn't had the vaccine we would have gotten even sicker. Good luck with your choice.

I have done shots with all 4 of my children. The best way to do them is right after the shots and through out the day of shots,take your first finger and rub the shot area in a circular motion. This spreads out the shot medicine under the skin so you don't get the hard lump and it makes it feel better. Continue for a few minutes whenever you think of it during that day. This made all the difference for shots with my kids. Definately give her the shots before you get on an airplain because she can catch a lot of germs just on the airplane before you get to another country. D.

I think getting shots and traveling would be too much. Wait till you get back, and then see if your baby still needs them.

My daugther hasn't had any vaccines and has travelled quite a bit. She hasn't contracted anything. Do YOUR OWN research on the vaccine to make sure you want to give it to her at all. Have fun on your trip and congratulations on your new family!!

Definitely do not get them before you travel. I have flown twice with my little ones to Australia and back and it is grueling enough without them feeling worse after the shots. Having the shots will make the flight and trip very unhappy for you and Sierra. Wait till you get back.

I grew up abroad & have 2 young daughters. I would never risk taking them out of the country without thier vaccines. If you can't change your flight talk to your doctor about what he could give you to keep her comfy on the flight & make sure you have a dr's name & # in Portugal.
I currently live in San Diego & was very concerned when the measles were brought back from Europe.

Hello.............. get shots after your trip! It's no big deal. My daughter didn't get her shots until a few weeks after her birthday. Also, just a word of advice. Please break up her shots, don't give them to her all at once.
Good luck on your trip!

I wonder if the CDC has any info on known outbreaks of childhood diseases in Portugal? It's worth a try - check their website or call them. I had the same problem when I went to Tunisia but I waited because the long flight with a reaction from shots would be very hard for all of you. You are right about jet-lag, strange place and strange food - it's rough on a little one. I would just be very watchful of her when she is there. At nine months, she won't be "playing" too much with other children who are most likely to spread illness. She will probably just be cuddled by relatives.

Good luck and have fun!

Don't worry, your daughter will be fine...honestly. Traveling with a child is hard enough...especially when traveling overseas. I have flown internationally with my daughter a few times and it's best that they are in good spirits when doing so. Good luck.