So except for our nation’s capital and a couple of “behind the eight ball” states, this seems to be a thing of the past. Being female, Montana’s singling the ladies out is irritating. At least NY’s requirement could do some good letting potential parents know if there’s a risk or not.
I needed blood tests In 1987 when I married. I also had measles, mumps, chickenpox ad a few other things as a child. There are some vaccines that I think should be legally required and a few that I think should be optional.
I live in Oregon, not far from the Vancouver Washington measles cases. We also received a letter from the school district saying that if any measles cases occur at our school, unvaccinated students will not be able to attend for 21 days.
After giving birth I was told that I wasn’t immune to rubella (fully vaccinated as a child). So they gave me the shot before they would discharge me. Child # 2 - same thing! Still not immune! Another shot. So I guess that means I could get the disease?
On another note, my fully vaccinated son caught whooping cough a few years back. The whole family and everyone he’d been in contact with had to go on antibiotics and the health department called us a few times to make sure. They said that vaccine was proving not to last as long as expected. He was only 9 at the time and he would have had the vaccine before kindergarten, IIRC. So it didn’t last very long at all. The cough did last for months.
I can’t recall ever getting a blood test before getting married or getting any MMR shots—my sibs and I had measles, mumps and rubella as a child, as well as chickenpox. We never had whooping cough, thankfully.
This anti-vaxx garbage is really hitting home for me right now. I will become a grandma in June, and as soon as I return from an upcoming trip, I am scheduling boosters of Tdap and possibly MMR if my immunity has worn off.
One of the original reasons for blood tests was to establish the Rh factor. I still remember the woman next door to us was Rh- and she had two children and then a lot of miscarriages. Sad.
If they are testing for rubella, then I can see it. Rh I guess I just expect they would know. I knew my blood type before I graduated from high school. The father’s blood type makes a difference with that too. If he’s Rh-, it’s not a problem. I also think when a lady is pregnant they check blood type, 'cause one most certainly doesn’t have to be married.
My mind was going off the idea that they were checking for STDs. If so, why only care about the ladies?
ETA Looking it up quickly on google, it is rubella immunity they are testing for - doesn’t seem to be anything else.
Well, hopefully the whole planeload of folks who flew with them and were in the airport won’t be carriers or get measles! It’s good they are staying in an isolated home rather than a huge hotel with lots of people. Here’s hoping no one gets measles from these folks.
I wonder how those parents feel about essentially losing their vacation and all the time and money involved over a simple vaccine. I’d bet money they’re still anti-vax and feel their rights were violated by being forced into quarantine.
That said, I’m quite impressed at the communication involved between WA and HI, and that HI was able to track down the family. Well done, public health officials!
