Baby Vaccination

[slin]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone has taken vaccination at one of the Maternal Child Health Centres? Just found out that our insurance does not cover vaccination and would like to explore the public system.

Our main concern would be the waiting time and coverage. We wouldn't want to expose our newborn to the risk of catching something while waiting (sorry, we are first time parents so can be a lil paranoid in this area :redface and also the coverage of vaccinations. Love to hear from experienced parents here.

Thanks.

 

[nltempany]

Hi Slin,

What did you do about your vaccinations? My 4 month old is due for his soon and I'm not sure what to do.

N

 

[Aava.Wong]

you will need to take the vaccination record card (do you have this?) and baby's birth certificate to the nearest MCHC. the vaccination record card should say when your next appointment is.

if your appointment is at 2.30pm, it's better to go there before 2.30pm as it will be on a ticket system. i'd say it will take about an hour or so for the whole checkup (baby weighing, vaccination and nurse/doc report).

 

[slin]

Thanks Aava...i have not been to MCHC before. I do have a vaccination record from current aped, does it mean i have to called up MCHC to make an appointment? Is your baby taking his/her vaccination at MCHC? May i know how much does it cost? I just gave rotavirus to my gal and it cost HK$800 from private paed, just wish to make comparison. Thanks alot!

 

[charade]

You need to call and make an appointment if you haven't been before. There is a schedule of vaccinations and they are free. However, rotavirus is not covered by MCH. Neither is chicken pox. So those are extras some people might still get private.

My babies are covered by insurance so I do the vaccines privately. However, I have been taking my daughter to the MCH for developmental check-ups because I feel they are very thorough. Yes, there are lots of babies in the waiting area but that's the case at my ped too.

The MCH uses a slightly different version of some of the vaccines from some private pediatricians. However, they (or your private pediatrician) could advise you if you can switch in between.

 

[slin]

Thanks Charade...thats very helpful!

 

[carang]

both of my kids have only had vaccs at the mchc. they are 5.5 & 7.5 years old now. both are healthy.

you are worried about your baby "catching" something while waiting at the health clinic? what are you afraid they will catch there that they would not also possibly be exposed to in a shopping centre, restaurant, dr office, supermarket?

 

[slin]

Thanks Carang. We called the health centre to make an appointment and was told the first appointment usually takes bout 3hours. That sounds unusually long, no? My lil one is just over 3 months old, so we are trying to minimize her exposure to sick babies/toddlers (no offence here!). Anyway, will give it a go and see if its worth it

 

[carang]

it's long because:
(1) wait time
(2) they get all of the information
(3) they actually have a look at the baby and not just stab 'em
(4) there is a wait time after the injection that you have to wait in case of a reaction.

your baby is 3 months, so? what makes you think that the children waiting to get vaccs are sick? they are there for the same reason as you are.... to have their vaccs! besides you shouldn't have your child vaccinated if they are sick!

slin, your thinking is a little backwards, in my opinion (and i'm not taking offence to what you have said).... your child NEEDS to get sick. it is how they build an immune system. life is not a bubble. kids are going to get sick. you can't shield them forever. getting sick is a part of life. and while no parent WANTS their child to get sick, it happens.

 

[lesliefu]

My pedi actually Congratulated me when all three of my kids were sick (nothing serious of course...runny nose) cause he said they were all building up their own immune systems!