Rabies vacs vs. waiver?
 

I just got a new job as a vet tech while I save money for vet school. Since this is an emergency clinic, I'm required to either get a rabies vaccination or sign a waiver that states I understand that I will be exposed and I can't sue.

I remember when I was little I heard that the rabies vaccination for humans was dangerous and painful. Has anyone here had it done?

I would think that actually getting rabies would be more painful. And if you refused to get the vaccine and signed the waiver, you'd likely be liable for all the medical costs associated and any other damages if you did get bit by an animal with rabies.

I would go for the shot... why risk it?

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-rabies.pdf

It looks like the risk of complication is small, but if you're worried I'd speak with a doctor.

Re: Rabies vacs vs. waiver?
 

I think it used to be quite painful, when it was a series of shots given by a large needle in the abdomen post-infection. My understanding is that it now given with a more normal-sized needle in the arm and isn't that different from other shots.

If it's the pain you're worried about, why don't you ask people at the clinic who've had it.

In any event, if you plan on going to vet school, it seems like a wise vaccine to get sooner or later.

Butt-Head:cool,Does he have to like get a shot?
Doctor:No.
Beavis:cool!
Doctor:You have to get 18...
Butthead:cool!
Doctor:..in the stomach
Beavis:This sucks...aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

You might also want to check and see what the vaccine is preserved with. I generally decline vaccinations because mercury is routinely put into vaccines. There is some concern that this is why autism has skyrocketed in the USA.

My boyfriend has had it (after getting bit by a bat) and he said it wasn't too bad.

Actually, in a more comprehensive study than the one that initially suggested the vaccination in infants/toddlers caused autism, they showed there is no link between the two.

More likely, there seems to be an increase in children with Autistic spectrum disorder due to the fact children suspected of having an ASD are being assesed earlier using more defined guidelines.

Myth No. 5: Vaccines do not cause autism.
The jury is still out on this one. Although a recent Institute of Medicine report appears to refute an association between vaccines and autism, the major autism organizations all agree that more research needs to be conducted.
A recent study suggests that children receiving vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal are many times more likely to develop autism than those who receive thimerosal-free vaccines.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...380/-1/ZONES04

Why are you concerned about this as an adult? Doesn't autism usually develop in youth?

Somebody's column in the Indy Star is hardly a definitive medical reason, even if she is an "autism/behavioral specialist."

While I do agree more research needs to be done, and it is better to have mercury-free vaccinations, it is not possible to claim that vaccinations (specifically the MMR vax) causes Autism in children, especially since the study that first brought up the connection was highly flawed and used a ridiculously small sample of children.

I'm doing a lot of research into vaccinations right now as my son is due for his first round next week and we're not sure we want to give them yet.

Why does everything here always have to be an argument?!!! If you don't agree with me, then fine.. go get mercury shot in your arm. I personally, don't want that poison in me, which is why I get white fillings in my cavaties instead of silver.

I also buy the majority of my foods from Whole Foods because I don't want chicken shot up with anti-biotics, nor do I want bovine hormone in my milk. And I don't eat beef unless it comes from a source which only feeds organic vegetable feed. I'm not convinced our beef supply is safe from Mad Cow-- especially after researching how lax our government is. (Why do you think Japan boycotted US meat?)

So, go ahead.. be my guest... have all the mercury you want in your system. Put your head in the sand and convince yourself that everything is hunky dorie because the government wouldn't dare let anything harmful out there. (Hmmm... Vioxx? Phen Phen?)

Eat those hydrogenized oils... and all that poison that the government allows. Smoke those cigarrettes. It's your body, be my guest.. kill yourself slowly if you wish.

Don't shoot the messenger.

You were free to share your viewpoint, why were others not allowed to share theirs? And to provide counterpoints to yours? None of the posts were nasty or attacking, then you flip out in this post.

<<<You were free to share your viewpoint, why were others not allowed to share theirs? And to provide counterpoints to yours? None of the posts were nasty or attacking, then you flip out in this post.>>

Thanks mom.

That's fine, but this is an interesting topic for debate. Just because you believe something doesn't mean it's Gospel truth. There are plenty of people who eat beef and buy chicken from generic grocery stores and get their shots and are perfectly healthy, and there are people who go your route and end up with health problems. It's not your place (or anyone else's on this site) to be lecturing people about their lifestyles.

It's not shooting the messenger; it's having a back-and-forth that's called debate. Telling people that they're killing themselves slowly because they don't live your way is a bit overdramatic.