S16 had his checkup yesterday. Since he’s 18, I did not go in with him, but I told him to ask for the group B vaccination. He said the doctor was already planning on administering it even before he asked. I’m not sure if it’s all covered by insurance. The dr usually sends us a bill for the balance not covered by insurance.
*I meant “experimental”
Our 17 son had his physical in the last week. I asked about the new Men Vaccine. Its not covered by our insurance yet and the doctor that he saw has a 17 old too. She said she was in wait and see mode with it. She has not had her son vaccinated for it yet. I decided to wait since he doesn’t go to college for another year. She has had her son vaccinated for the HPV though. I understand it for girls but I’m still not sure I see the benefit for guys. So I decided to wait on that. Today our 15 year old had his physical. His was with our regular Ped. I asked him about the HPV and he said if you are a girl then definitely. However with the boys its a choice and he wasn’t going to say it was a must have vaccine. So I’m going to have to do some research and see.
My boys got the HPV vaccine, not only because of decreased risk from HPV infections, but to protect the women they will be with in the future, including their future wife and mother of my future grandchildren.
My son got the HPV vaccine for the same reason – protecting women. I had cervical cancer ~25 years ago because of HPV. Don’t want others to go through that unnecessarily. A vaccine against cancer is a wonderful thing.
Thank you OHmomof2 and mommdc. May beworth a call to Insurance company.@MichiganGeorgia
My S got the HPV vaccine to protect his female partners.
Oops- @michicanGeorgia- I was on the fence about the HPV vaccine for my son too. He just got his first shot at 18 when my daughter 16 got her shot. I really thought it through and after reading all of the information about how rampant the disease had become thought of it as a preventative measure against the spread of this cancer causing disease.
HPV can also cause throat and oral cancer in both sexes.
S17 got his 2nd Bexero shot yesterday at the doctor’s office. No sore arm or other side effects so far. He thinks he did a better job of relaxing his arm during the shot this time.
I recently got the insurance statement for the 1st Bexero shot, and they covered the full cost. 
^a heartbreaking story
I am in NY state. My daughter’s pediatrician does not yet offer it as the state hasn’t fully recommended it yet. However, they ordered a few vaccines for a few parents who requested it and are willing to pay for it, including me. She had her first dose and her arm was indeed very sore for a few days- better than the worst case scenario though.
@VMT It has nothing to do with the state. ACIP (federal) elected not to put it on the schedule of recommended vaccines—not because they recommend against it, but because of perceived backlash about adding another vaccine to the schedule. Their strategy actually worked. Now parents see it as the “secret” vaccine that you have to ask for specially and feel excited when they get it.
As for your pediatrician not “offering” it … any doctor can get it. They just have to order it. As he/she did. Check with your insurance. Many are indeed paying for it if you ask.
For those wondering about the costs of meningitis vaccine, here are some estimates:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/awardees/vaccine-management/price-list/
Serogroups B, C, and Y are the most common in the US. Vaccines are available for the following:
- B only
- A, C, W, Y
- C, Y (and Haemophilus influenzae type b [Hib])
To cover the five serogroups, two vaccines are needed. To cover the five serogroups and Hib, three vaccines are needed (although it looks like Hib vaccine alone or in combination with meningitis is only offered for children).
@brantly Thanks for the detailed explanation. Perhaps I misunderstood what the pediatrician told us regarding the reason NY state did not include it on the schedule yet. I was pretty sure this was her explanation-maybe she did not have the full story!
Just to clarify, I don’t feel special. I requested it, and the office ordered a few doses for my daughter and a few others. The condition was that if my insurance did not pay for it, I would. They were stiffed a few times when insurance did not pay and parents were not aware the cost would be on them. The office submitted our claim and we will see what happens. But, thank you for clarifying for those of us not in the know.
@VMT, did your D have the Trumenba shot? Just wondering, mine had a very sore arm as well.
Bexsero. It’s the one requiring two doses, not three.
It was very interesting trying to find the shot here in Austin. I called and personally went to several clinics and doctors offices asking about the shot. They had no idea what I was talking about until I finally found one doctor at a day clinic that knew what it was. The doctor checked and was able to order it for me. She said it would eventually be added to the shot list. I had already checked with my insurance and it had just been added so it was covered.
Mine had a sore arm for several days with the first Bexsero shot. For the second shot, he was very careful to shake the arm out so that it would be loose, let the arm hang limp, and not look so that he wouldn’t tense up. No sore arm the 2nd time. Of course, the skill of the person giving the shot can also make a difference.