In a message dated 7/20/99 10:42:49 PM Central Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<<  I never did consider Varivax contraindicated for a breastfeeding mom, but
I still think she needs to understand the potential risk.  Could she wait
until the baby is a year  old and could be vaccinated at the same time? >>

As with all things, you must weigh the potential risk against the potential
benefit.  Is mom at a greater risk of infection during the year she is not
protected?  Are there other children in the house who might bring wild
disease home?  And since Mom is not immune (or she wouldn't need
vaccination), Baby does not have the benefit of maternal antibodies which
leaves HER at greater risk until she can receive the vaccine.

<< first child vaccinated about a year ago and he now has chicken pox.  It is
what would be expected: mild case with few leasions that appear to be drying
quickly but mom is upset because she believed he would not get chicken pox.
Informed consent? >>

It IS the responsibility of the person immunizing AND the parent to review
the vaccine information statement (VIS).  The incidence of breakthrough
disease is clearly spelled out so Mom really shouldn't be surprised.  It
should be explained to this mother that her child WAS protected to the extent
he will not develop life-threatening disease as sometimes happens in
unvaccinated persons.

Informed consent means spelling out both risks and BENEFITS.

Warm regards,
Theresa Chmiel, CLC, ICCE
Las Vegas, NV

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