Vaccines - Re-Vaccinations

Aubrey's mama wrote: Has anyone had to re-vaccinate their kids? We just moved and our old dr office just contacted me stating that "some of the vaccines used in our clinic may have been stored at temperatures outside the recommended ranges. Although vaccines that have been stored outside the recommended temperature ranges will not harm recipients, it may mean that your child received a vaccine that does not adequately protect him or her. In situations like this, it is recommended that revaccination take place. Revaccination is both safe and necessary to provide optimal protection from serious illness."

I am very upset because supposedly all of her shots last year were affected by this (2, 4 and 6 mo shots). The dr office said that she needs another 2 rounds of the Pediarix (DTaP, IPV, HepB) and 1 round of Premar. I'm all for vaccines, but I do NOT want to get her re-vaccinated. I am concerned of double-dosing...I think that I should be able to request a blood test looking for antibodies to the vaccines that she has had in the past. If she has had the vaccine and reacted to it properly, there should be evidence of it.

My now 18 mo old daughter has never had any reactions to vaccines and has only had 3 colds in her life!

Just wanted your opinions/thoughts
Thanks!

MommyToAshley replied: I've never heard of that happening.

I completely agree with you. First of all, I would be VERY upset. It sounds like someone was very careless.

I also would be hesitant about getting the vaccines again so close together. I don't know if there is a blood test they can take or not, that is a very good question.

I'm not much help. I just wanted to say I am sorry this happened.

jcc64 replied: Wow, that's pretty careless on the dr's part. I'd be upset, too.
You can request bloodwork, ask for titers to be done on all the vaxs, and it will indicate exactly how much immunity your child presently has, if at all, and whether another shot is necessary.
I would be hesitant to vax so soon after the initial dose, too. If you do need the boosters, I'd probably space them out and do them slowly.
Good luck and keep us posted- I'd be interersted in hearing how it turns out.

punkeemunkee'smom replied:
ITA about the doctor! I would get all her titers done and then I would send the bill to the old office! (If you have trouble getting an order to draw blood,I would call the office that made the mistake and DEMAND that they call someone for you ) I hope you everything works out and your baby doesn't have to go thru all that poking again!

redchief replied:
I agree with Jeanne and Abbie. Not sure whether I'd go for the titers or new vaccines, simply because of all the needles, but I'd be royally ticked at the dr.'s office for being so careless with their storage practices.

punkeemunkee'smom replied: They should be able to get the titers tested in one draw.I hate the thought of drawing blood on an infant/toddler too, but I would rather have one stick than a possible needless whole new round of shots

boyohboyohboy replied: I agree, i would ask for the titers asap, and find out what she is producing...
and i am not sure of this, but isnt there a reason that some of the vaccines are given at such a young age? i mean can she really go back and get all those vaccinations?

i also think i would find a new ped. thank goodness they contacted you and admitted their mistake, but it sounds like something that should have never happened.
and they would be paying for all those re vaccinations...because your insurance wont..

MoonMama replied: I agree with what the others have said....gosh I would be so upset, how carelss!

Aubrey's mama replied: Thanks for all your help. I just talked w the old dr office~the problem was the refridgerator was too cold for 4 days! While they were supportive w me in wanting to get the titers/bloodwork done, they won't cover the costs b/c it is not "recommened". The "recommened" thing to do is the revaccination. The nurse actaully told me that depending upon the school district, Aubrey may need a booster shot later. She wouldn't give me an answer to what the difference would be if she had the revacinations now vs. a booster at school time.

This is just another reason that I hated that drs office. The new one that we have is A LOT better. I'll keep you posted to any new developments...

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Just because they do not recommended the titers doesn't mean their screw up is any less acceptable. They should still accomodate people how THEY would like to be handled because of their incomptetence. I'd be ticked off.

On a side note, I guess now they are recommending a second chicken pox vaccine as of lately. Luckily we don't have a pushey doctor so I declined Tanner's.

redchief replied:
That thought came on a single cup of coffee...

punkeemunkee'smom replied:
I knew what you were thinking

Aubrey's mama replied: Finally talked w my new ped. We decided to do a titer test on 2 vaccines (Polio and the Pertus. of the DTaP). We did it yesterday and we should have the results by Friday. Aubrey was a real trooper. They just took 4 ccs of blood (2 small viles). She barely even cried~just watched the tech's every move! Afterwards she was smiling, laughing and in a great mood, pointing to her garfield bandaid.

I'll keep you posted~thanks to everyone for your help!