<p>The CDC recommends the Hepatitis A series for all children at age 12 months, and a “catch-up” series for all older children and adolescents.
Several years ago, there was a restaurant-related outbreak of Hepatitis A in our area that sickened hundreds of people and killed two people. The problem is that you do not have to travel overseas to be exposed to this food borne or waterborne disease, which can also spread through blood and body fluids - overseas comes to you in the form of fresh food that is handled, chopped, and packaged in huge facilities that supply markets, restaurants, and dorms. Think about that salad bar or bag of lettuce - and multiply it by millions of those in a processing facility. One contaminated food handler can spread the disease to thousands or even millions of people. It is well worth the price if you have to pay, but you can check with your local health department for a free or reduced-price series of shots.</p>
<p>I’m not sayng it’s a bad idea but when I look at the CDC website it looks to me like it is recommended for those in high risk areas or those with medical conditions not across the board:</p>
<p>HepA vaccination is recommended for high-risk children older than 2 years. Children with certain medical conditions may also need a dose of meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) and pneumococcal vaccine (PPSV). HepA vaccination may be administered to any child older than 2 years for whom immunity is desired.</p>
<p>Caught this news article and remember this thread</p>
<p>[Hepatitis</a> scare at N.C. Olive Garden - Health - Infectious diseases - msnbc.com](<a href=“http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44091876/ns/health-infectious_diseases/]Hepatitis”>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44091876/ns/health-infectious_diseases/)</p>
<p>You don’t necessarily have to travel to be exposed to HepA.</p>
<p>I just got the HepA vaccine at my last check up because we work with a lot of under served & vulnerable (including homeless) people. Wanted to be sure to be protected. Also will get the booster when I have my physical in 6 months.</p>
<p>Neither of my kids have gotten the vaccine yet, tho S has traveled to Thailand & Taiwan & D has been to the latter as well. H hasn’t gotten the vaccine either. Have mentioned it to them but none seem interested so far.</p>
<p>We all got HepB vaccines & now you can get the combo. Also D got the meningitis & gardisil vaccine but S got neither. Oh well, you get them to have what you can.</p>
<p>H also got his shingles vaccine & I’ll get it when I qualify based on age. I get pneumonia vaccines every 5 years, as recommended for folks like me with severe respiratory conditions.</p>
<p>My daughter’s pediatrician was very vocal about my daughter getting her first of 2 HepA vaccines when she went in for her college physical. SHe stated fecal transmittal via food handling as a viable health hazard. We had the first shot along with her meningitis, tetnus booster, and chicken pox booster. Pincushion!! Daughter was NOT happy… Too bad…Health first!</p>
<p>HImom–I would insist on my son getting the meningitis vaccine BECAUSE men tend to downplay symptoms and seek help more slowly. Meningitis maims and/or kills quickly and its symptoms mirror the flu.</p>
<p>My husband came down with menigitis in 1992. He went from vomiting at 11 p.m. to not being able to walk at 3 a.m. The ER doctor told us that he probably would have died had we waited as few as four more hours. He was unconsious for 48 hours, but recovered without long-term effects.</p>
<p>The other advice I have given my daughter who is in college is that if she ever feels different than she has fell before or if her fever is over 102, she should seek medical attention. I don’t care if she feels stupid–or whatever. Don’t mess with meningitis.</p>
<p>OK, will insist he get it when he’s home for Christmas. Hard for me to insist on much when he’s over 5000 miles from our home. He lives alone and doesn’t yet know all that many people near where he lives/works.</p>
<p>D often runs a fever and feels junk, so it would be harder for her to know when she’s starting do get very ill.</p>