Saturday morning I was at the ped. with Francis for what we think is a sinus infection. We were sitting in the exam room with the door open when the room to the side of us became occupied by a young girl having her 14 yo check up. Her door was open and our door was open, so it wasn't difficult to figure all this out. I didn't hear anything confidential, and I certainly wouldn't share if I did, but I did here a brief discussion on vaccinations. Apparently she was due for the menigicoccal vaccine (so is my son), but she was also offered the HPV vaccine. I heard the nurse say that it was completely optional, and up to mom and dad, and there was some discussion on the nurse's part about cost and that it's not covered by all insurance companies. I guess I was a little sad to hear it being offered, as our ped. is family and our kids have been his patients for 18 years. I suppose it would be unethical for him to pretend it doesn't exist, nevertheless, I have my own issues with it as a Catholic mother, so I would like to pretend it doesn't exist.
Tim Collins, MD, husband to No Fighting No Biting! blogger mom Kat, writes about the vaccine on his medical blog. It's definitely worth reading.
.
Thank you for sharing this link. When I brought one of my NINE year old daughters in for a check-up, this was "discussed". There are already states (apparently) where the vaccine is mandatory...
ReplyDeleteJane