A 21 month old without shots-how bad is that? *Please Read Details*?

Question

I know this girl (I actually just met her a couple months ago, so I don't know her all that well) that has a 21 month old daughter that from the moment I met her, she seemed a little bit delayed compared to my 18 month old daughter. And I just found out that the little girl hasnt had any shots except for the ones she had when she was born. She missed her 1 year old shots and her 18 month old shots. Her mother says her insurance wont cover the shots and they can't afford to pay for the shots. So my question is, how bad is this for the little girl? I mean, she looks kind of sick and she isnt very active. Do you think it is because she is missing so many important shots?

Answer 1

She needs to go to the health department/social services. It sounds like there is more than you are hearing here. If it is a financial issue, then she needs to get assistance to ensure the child is fed properly. DSS can get both her and mom on medicaid so that she can be seen and followed by a pediatrician. The health department also has vaccinations available at reduced/low/or free to eligible individuals.

Missing vaccines can cause her to be susceptible to many possibly deadly and PREVENTABLE child hood illnesses.

Some insurances don't cover vaccinations but that is why the health department has a program.

Now what you are describing just very basically sounds like a failure to thrive issue which can be caused by illness, malnourishment, and physical issues.

Answer 2

No the "failure to thrive" that you are seeing has nothing to do with the shots. however, it may be due to negligent parenting.......sorry, I do tend to be brash when it comes to this sort of thing...makes me angry. First, there is absolutely no reason for that child not to have had her shots. If the parents cant afford it they can always take her to the county health department where she can recieve her shots free of charge. Luckily, for the child, we are blessed inthat these diseases that we immunize against arent prevalent anymore. that doesn't mean there isnt ANY risk-there is but it is minimalized because every one else has had their shots. the bottom line is the baby needs to have her shots. She cant even go to school without them. If you are particularly concerned about the situation....which i am......I would call CPS and they will make sure the child is being cared for in the appropriate manner. From the sound of it....the child may well have developmental issues that need to be treated as well. You have to answer to your own concience on this one. Do you peeve a parent or look out for a child?

Answer 3

ok number 1: the child will be fine without the shots, most of the diseases we here in the lovely old U.S. vaccinate for haven't been around for quite a while, the only one you may want to tell this mother about is the flu shot which you can get at the darn mall at the beginning of the flu season for like $20, the reason I say this is because the child could be more succeptable to the flu if the lethargic state you refer to is due to malnutrition. number 2: I don't care what kind of nurse or medical practitioner you are shots are overrated and this is published in several books, including ones written BY DOCTORS, the reason we in medical school are taught that they are necessary is because the pharmacutical companies pay to have us taught this so they can keep making money, hello wouldn't you if you were a multi billion dollar industry!!! number 3: there are plenty of parents that don't immunize their children, in fact there was a program created about one of them recently, and actually this child was said BY DOCTORS to be one of the healthiest children they had ever seen,also in reference to you comment about her seeming "delayed", shots have nothing to do with brain activity or function DUH, children just develop at different rates, one day in school this unimmunized child may amaze you by doing far better than your immunized child. Lastly, you may want to just say to the mother, Does she eat well? and start up a conversation like that, to find out if the child is being fed properly, if it seems she may not be eating as she should recommend pediasure or a multivitamin, the child could very well snap right out of the lethargic state with some proper nutrition

Answer 4

There are a lot of diseases out there that can kill or leave a child seriously developmentally delayed or physically challenged. While most have been nearly erradicated, it was only by the vaccines. Polio, just as one example, has all but been wiped out, for like the last 26 years, but last year in Minnesota, Amish kids became infected. This article state that 1 in 200 will suffer paralysis... is that a risk you are prepared to take with your child. Children can die from contracting Whooping Cough (pertussis).

Answer 5

Well I think all children should get their shots. However I do have a friend who did not give her children any shots and her child is 7 now. The reason was because the child was allergic to a few things in the shot. So children can survive. However the child will be required to have their shots before school unless it is a medical reason.

Answer 6

I think she is, there are too many things going around that are suceptible to the little ones. They should really have their shots if they are in a child care setting. Little kids come in with the flu, chicken pox, etc. I understand not being able to afford the shots, I feel that they should be free to all children. She should go to her local social services and ask for help.

Answer 7

oh my goodness. not only is that unhealthy for the baby, it is also considered a form of child abuse. I have heard of cases where the parents get kids taken away from them for NOT providing medical care. there are always free clinics that will give shots and a lot of doctors' offices will work with you and make a payment plan. her insurance SHOULD cover baby shots. tell her to find a free clinic in the area that will give shots.

Answer 8

yes. shots for children under the age of 10 are VITAL. they are given to prevent infections and diseases and that type of thing. the little girl is probably sick from something uncommon in children because most kids get those shots...and the insurance thing is crap, because walk in clinics can do it for free because most healthcare places like clinics and whatnot usually bypass insurance and give discount plans...some for nothing. she's an irresponsible mother for not checking in with that for her kid, and im sorry, but thats grounds to have her child taken away from her. and i wouldn't blame someone if they did take the kid from her. she's damaging the kid for the rest of her life.

Answer 9

in britain the jags i think you refer to are optional so lots of kids dont get them. This shouldnt cause a problem unless the kid comes into contact with say mumps then their immune system may not be able to fight of proparly. Please dont compare someone elses child with yours, i know you have best intentions but not all kids grow at the same rate, if they are poor she may not be as well nourished as your child this will effect her growth. i had 2 kids and my daughter was very quick at everything where my son just couldnt be bothered and was lazy.

Answer 10

Please read Dr.Robert Mendelsohn's book "Immunizations:The terrible risks your children face that your doctor won't reveal".It gives very detailed information by a leading pediatrician about the dangers of immunizations.I have not given either of my 2 children shots.My oldest is 17 and has barely had cold.