Measles vaccination ?

[alvernon90]

Only a doctor can answer this, but I would make two points:

1. The risk is probably higher at Disneyland because Southern California is a pocket where an unusually large part of the population is unvaccinated and it is very much a locals park.

2. Disney takes zero precautions to protect you from the anti-vaxxers (I'm not even sure what they could do) so you need to talk to your doctor and evaluate the risk for yourself.

 

[wdw4rfam]

Do you ever take him out of the house? He's probably as likely to get stuff at home as at WDW. I wouldn't worry about it. Honestly, there's really nothing you can do about it anyway now, except relax and have a good vacation.

I agree with this

 

[IrishNYC]

I read meatless vacation.

I would DEFINITELY like to be vaccinated against meatlessness!

This is a difficult decision. Our trip is on Monday , so his vaccination wouldn't be fully effective even if he received it tomorrow. There have been no cases of measles in Florida for years. The fact is that he will be at risk. This is horrible!

Thanks guys. The fact is going to WDW with him will put him at an increased risk of getting measles. How much that risk increases is hard to say.. I'm sure other parents of 12 month olds have had similar questions

Overreaction, much? Do you never leave the house with your child? Never take him to the store or mall with you? He has just as much chance or catching measles there as at Disney.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Your son can get measles at the grocery store, zoo, daycare or anywhere else you take baby. Measles is not a Disney thing as media is making it sound. Most people contracted it elsewhere before taking it to Disneyland. I would ask your doctor.

 

[AriesAriel]

Yes, the science says it is not even effective for a 1 year old. This is why it is supposed to be given at 18 months.

I cannot imagine living in fear like that. I understand measles *can* be serious, but for the vast majority of the population it would not be. Is your child immunocompromised?

 

[kandb]

PP-I don't think the OP is "living in fear" but when you are a mother, it is natural to want to protect your child from harm, not put them into a situation that
can cause them harm. I totally understand the OP's situation.

 

[VbChristy]

My understanding is that the vaccine sheds (meaning a small risk exist of someone else getting measles when near someone recently vaccinated. So you would be potentially putting younger infants not old enough to get the vacc at risk of catching it... Just another consideration.

 

[saraschoening]

PP-I don't think the OP is "living in fear" but when you are a mother, it is natural to want to protect your child from harm, not put them into a situation that
can cause them harm. I totally understand the OP's situation.

I was going to say the exact same thing. She is asking for our advice.. mother to mother.. park enthusiast to park enthusiast. I agree that this should be discussed with a doctor but there isn't anything wrong with asking advice, there are thousands of medical forums out there asking the same advice and last time I checked this was a forum about Disney related stuff.. she is going to WDW and she has a question related to Disney and we should try to help her out. I am a mom and I worry about everything... but I still take my daughter outside I just arm myself with as much information as possible. Yes there is a risk taking your child anywhere but when your traveling, your staying in hotels/motels, its crowded and we are generally tired and eating maybe not the best food (at least on my vacations) so there is a good chance of catching a bug.

Personally I wouldn't take my child without the vaccination but that's my personal opinion. I had a very good friends son pass from measles and then her other son came close but then again I have a niece who hasn't been vaccinated for anything and she goes to WDW and DL 4 -5 times a year.

It's your call as a mom, we have the toughest job in the world but you know what is best for your child and I am sure your a great mom- actually I know you are because you are concerned enough to ask our advice. I wish you a happy and VERY healthy vacation.

 

[oceanmarina]

Yes, I agree talk to your pediatrician. I personally gave both my kids the MMR at 3 years old (I delayed it because of my concerns with the vaccine), I took my son to WDW when he was 23 months old, a year before he was vaccinated and he was fine. My daughter went to WDW at 3, right before she had her MMR and she was also fine.
As a Mom, I completely understand why you would worry, hopefully talking to your pediatrician might help you decide, keep us posted.

 

[prudence64]

It probably wouldn't stop me, but it would give me pause too. So many outbreaks these days. Honestly, I'd probably still go to WDW with a baby but might skip Disneyland right now.

 

[IrishNYC]

It probably wouldn't stop me, but it would give me pause too. So many outbreaks these days. Honestly, I'd probably still go to WDW with a baby but might skip Disneyland right now.

This makes absolutely ZERO sense. Disneyland was where a recent outbreak likely originated, but it isn't lingering there, there's no little colony of measles-infected guests hanging out there every day. Whoever started the outbreak is long gone, and someone at risk for infection is no more or less likely to catch measles at Disneyland tomorrow than they are at WDW, or on the subway, or at the mall.

 

[prudence64]

This makes absolutely ZERO sense. Disneyland was where a recent outbreak likely originated, but it isn't lingering there, there's no little colony of measles-infected guests hanging out there every day. Whoever started the outbreak is long gone, and someone at risk for infection is no more or less likely to catch measles at Disneyland tomorrow than they are at WDW, or on the subway, or at the mall.

Understood, but I'm not comfortable with the number of people in that region who are opting not to vaccinate and would feel more confident and WDW than DL if I had an infant.

Honestly, I wasn't one who traveled with my child at that age anyway. Just trying to let the OP know that it's ok to have concerns and those concerns aren't unfounded.

 

[momof2n2]

This makes absolutely ZERO sense. Disneyland was where a recent outbreak likely originated, but it isn't lingering there, there's no little colony of measles-infected guests hanging out there every day. Whoever started the outbreak is long gone, and someone at risk for infection is no more or less likely to catch measles at Disneyland tomorrow than they are at WDW, or on the subway, or at the mall.

Understood, but I'm not comfortable with the number of people in that region who are opting not to vaccinate and would feel more confident and WDW than DL if I had an infant.

Honestly, I wasn't one who traveled with my child at that age anyway. Just trying to let the OP know that it's ok to have concerns and those concerns aren't unfounded.

I think it makes perfect sense. The number of people opting out of measles vax (and all vax) is higher in certain regions of the US than others. We are driving to the Pacific Northwest in a few weeks, and spending a lot of time in an area with less vax'ed people. Hence my own questions about checking titers before we leave. Thankfully, the number of reported cases is now declining...

 

[soniam]

I read meatless vacation.

This reminds me of Cheeseburgers in Paradise

 

[alvernon90]

Disneyland was where a recent outbreak likely originated, but it isn't lingering there, there's no little colony of measles-infected guests hanging out there every day.

Actually, this isn't true. Certain segments of Southern California have high concentrations of unvaccinated children. (Google has plenty of reliable links to data showing Los Angeles and Orange Counties have dozens of schools where 10% or more--up to 80%!!!--of children have personal belief exemptions for vaccines.) Disneyland is well known as a "locals' park" with vast numbers of "SoCal" AP holders. Therefore people who live in a cluster of measles hang out at Disneyland regularly. It wasn't a coincidence that a measles outbreak got traced back to Disneyland, it was inevitable. And it will happen again, though California does seem to be having some luck in quashing this anti-vaccine madness.

I don't think the risk at WDW is nearly as high, though I know some people here cite a higher percentage of guests from countries that may not have robust childhood vaccination programs. I have no idea if those risks offset, though my gut tells me that DL still represents a bigger risk, mostly because WDW has had foreign visitors for decades with no outbreaks, whereas the anti-vaccine movement didn't really start in earnest until 2007 thus explaining why DL never had an outbreak until now. If I had an infant or an immuno-compromised child, I would think very hard about going to DL.

 

[merina888]

I'm going to play devil's advocate. And I'm not trying to scare anyone. Walt Disney World is an international destination which means it has people coming from all over the world. The same vaccines are not always available in other countries nor do they always have the same vaccines requirements. I'm actually quite surprised that WDW has not had a measles outbreak. I actually know a number of people who have come back from WDW with various illnesses either from coming in contact with people in the park or from the airplane. I agree with others that you should talk with your doctor about this.