This isn't a post about our roof. The shingles there are in fine condition and I am hoping that they will stay that way for some time to come.
It's the other kind of shingles, the sudden wake up of a dormant chicken pox virus. I am hoping to avoid that bundle of misery. I had the vaccination. My neighbor had a bout of shingles last summer. That convinced me to talk to my doctor about the shot. Shooting pain and body blisters really do strike me as something to avoid if possible.
There was a bill before the Vermont legislature this past winter that would have eliminated philosophical exemptions to vaccination requirements for school entry. It turned out to be quite controversial and got a group of parents very active in fighting against this change in the law.
I was interested in one parent's argument -- vaccination is not analogous to seat belts but to air bags that can malfunction, go off with too much force and result in injury or death. Although, we have all heard stories about injuries from seat belts as well. I have to say, though, I was a bit alarmed by those claiming they were not informed that a vaccine could have side effects. Clearly, they were just not listening or they live in la-la land.
The legislation did not pass. In the end, it is kind of a shame that the issue even came up and consumed so much time. Vermont has a very high immunization record. The one vaccine that is most often opted against in chicken pox.Oh, well.
It's the other kind of shingles, the sudden wake up of a dormant chicken pox virus. I am hoping to avoid that bundle of misery. I had the vaccination. My neighbor had a bout of shingles last summer. That convinced me to talk to my doctor about the shot. Shooting pain and body blisters really do strike me as something to avoid if possible.
There was a bill before the Vermont legislature this past winter that would have eliminated philosophical exemptions to vaccination requirements for school entry. It turned out to be quite controversial and got a group of parents very active in fighting against this change in the law.
I was interested in one parent's argument -- vaccination is not analogous to seat belts but to air bags that can malfunction, go off with too much force and result in injury or death. Although, we have all heard stories about injuries from seat belts as well. I have to say, though, I was a bit alarmed by those claiming they were not informed that a vaccine could have side effects. Clearly, they were just not listening or they live in la-la land.
The legislation did not pass. In the end, it is kind of a shame that the issue even came up and consumed so much time. Vermont has a very high immunization record. The one vaccine that is most often opted against in chicken pox.Oh, well.
My mother had shingles and it's horrible. I'm with you about the vaccination. I plan to see my doctor about it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a principal, this was an ongoing battle -- enforcing the immunization requirement. Several parents were lax, but others downright refused on moral grounds. I firmly asked them to withdraw from the school.
Peace,
Muff
Oh shoot, did you have to remind me. I seriously need to check into getting that vaccine. I guess I'm in the group that thinks you should be vaccinated if one is available, if not for yourself, for the sake of others you're in contact with. We would not want smallpox or polio to rear their ugly heads again.
ReplyDeleteI have friends who have suffered greatly with shingles, so I got the vaccination as soon as I could. I had chicken pox as a kid. I have read quite a bit about parents with objections to vaccinations, and usually it is fear of autism. But that connection has been debunked. I can not think of a moral platform for rejecting vaccines, only an ignorant one.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got that vaccination. I got mine in December. I just did not want to deal with those terrible things. My father had them the year before he died. He suffered so badly from them. My mother had a mild case a few years ago, but she had them in her 30's also. That time it was not so mild. I'm all about vaccinations.
ReplyDeleteI understand vacs can have side effects, but, in general,,they do much more good than harm. I'm all for them.
ReplyDeleteI'm a vaccine person. Need to check out the shingles thing. As I recall, I did that last year and it wasn't covered by my insurance. I'm going to check it out again.
ReplyDeleteShingles are something I fear because I have watched my grandmother and brother suffer from having them.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you brought this up it is a good reminder to all of us.
Love
Maggie
Thanks for the heads up -- will ask my doctor next annual physical. Btw, does anyone know. How effective is the vac., and what ARE the side effects? Thx!
ReplyDeleteI had the shingles shot 3 years ago when I retired. I too have had friends who suffered terribly.
ReplyDeleteRegarding vaccinations, there has been a terrible outbreak of whooping cough in my neighboring Kansas. I guess students can enter school without up to date shots now. Knowing the political climate in Kansas, vaccinations might soon be outlawed there.