Question about RSV shots...what would you do?

My girls qualified for the RSV shots since they were born 7 weeks early. They are 5 months now. In October and November we paid $20 copay for each kid ($40 total)...plus the office visit. My DH just changed jobs and the pharmacy called today and said the girls will get 2 vials each since they are close to 15lbs and it's $50 per vial so a total of $200 per month....from now until May!!! That is crazy! How necessary do you think the RSV shots are? My girls do not go to daycare and they have never been sick. They are such healthy big girls!!! I am going to talk to the doctor about stopping the shots. We can afford the $200 per month but I just think it's crazy...I could use the $$ towards something else. What would you do?

 

My girls qualified for the RSV shots since they were born 7 weeks early. They are 5 months now. In October and November we paid $20 copay for each kid ($40 total)...plus the office visit. My DH just changed jobs and the pharmacy called today and said the girls will get 2 vials each since they are close to 15lbs and it's $50 per vial so a total of $200 per month....from now until May!!! That is crazy! How necessary do you think the RSV shots are? My girls do not go to daycare and they have never been sick. They are such healthy big girls!!! I am going to talk to the doctor about stopping the shots. We can afford the $200 per month but I just think it's crazy...I could use the $$ towards something else. What would you do?

 

That is hard to decide... but since you CAN afford it, I would do it. Better safe than sorry. RSV can be horrible for babies. If you can afford it, do it.

 

I just don't understand why some babies get the shots and some don't. My girls were preemies but they are 5 months now. My sister has a 3 week old and he does not get the shots. I would imagine my girls lungs and everything are further developed than a 3 week old....right? I guess I need to do some research on this.

 

I would get them if you in any possibly can afford it. I think with preemies their ability to fight infection is lower because they didn't get as much time in the womb, thus catching RSV is a bit easier and probably more serious for a preemie.

As the girls get bigger they will get more and more of the med. Right now my girls get one shot but it will get to a point where they need enough med that it will be 2 shots, one in each leg. Yikes!!! They are already traumatized with the one shot!

Luckily I pay a $10 copay for the Synagis.

 

Honestly it all depends on your insurance, they call the shots. Since you DH changed jobs I'm assuming your insurance changed as well. You may have the same insurance provider, but the package might be differet so they will cover different things. It is a lot of money for 2 shots a month, but if you can afford it I would get them. Preemies are much more susceptible to RSV and anything else than full term babies, it doesn't matter how old they are. RSV can really affect any child up to age 2, but especially preemies. Mine are 10 months old, but were born 3 months early, and we are getting the shots. Luckily, though my insurance covers it all, since they qualify based on their standards. It's all up to your insurance company. I do agree with you though I think all babies should get them, however, since they are so expensive insurance companies would never pay for them, they would rather pay for a baby to be in the hospital with RSV it seems like.

 

I feel your pain, we aren't paying anything for ours now and beginning in January our deductible starts over so we will be meeting that and paying again with these shots. My girls are 10 months and were 3 months early. We just got over RSV in November and it was not fun! Their doctor said that the shots kept them out of the hospital. We don't take the twins anywhere and I am very very careful about not letting anyone sick come over and we have hand sanitizer all over this house and we still got it. We are struggling with getting them next year, what are the chances of them getting it again??! But I'm scared not to. I could never forgive myself if they got sick again.

 

We live in a fairly small town and our ped told us today that there haven’t been any cases in town yet. Maybe it’s worth asking if there are any in your area. We are still getting the shots because they are only $35.00 but my DH would prefer we don’t get them anymore because the kids cry so much.

 

quote:
My sister has a 3 week old and he does not get the shots. I would imagine my girls lungs and everything are further developed than a 3 week old....right?


Yes and no. Preemies are born with undeveloped lungs, and the effects of this can last for some time. That's why the shots are important. I would not skip them unless it was an extreme financial hardship. Imagine how awful you'd feel if they ended up in the hospital.

I feel so lucky - our insurance covers it 100%. My girls just got their December shot today. They are 19 pounds each so they need one 100 mg vial and one 50 mg vial - I think it's a total of $2300 for each of them - so $4600 total. Crazy!

 

If you can afford it I would get them. I could not imagine how terrible I would feel if something happened to my daughters because I didn't get them the shots. If it really was a financial hardship maybe you would think about it. But since you can afford it I say take all the protection you can get.

 

I would not skip them if it's not a real hardship. RSV is very dangerous and especially so for preemies. I work at a Children's Hospital and we had well over 350 cases in November. It's out there.

My older DD got RSV when she was 6 months old. She was very sick, it was scary. When my twins were approved for the shots I was very relieved, they were only 5 weeks early. We pay a $20 co pay for each round of shots, $15 each for office visit copay and the office visit is covered - so $70/month. My girls are also over 18 pounds and have to get 2 shots each. They only fuss for a minute. To me the shots are worth any expense, brief pain and inconvenience to keep them safe.

 

My girls don't go to daycare either...but, I figure I am much safer to go out in "public" with the shots. I have had friends with babies with RSV and I would say it is worth it. We have a high copay and found out that my husband will no longer have a job after the end of March and are having to save for COBRA to make sure they can get their last shots.

 

I think if they are healthy and have no repiratory problems and you don't want to fork out the $200, don't get them. My pedi said it's not a sure thing to prevent them from getting it anyway. He said that it is only 50% effective against RSV.

I think it's really necessary for preemies and very at risk infants, but not for infants that aren't in daycare and are healthy.

Just my opinion. (I'm not trying to start a debate). It's worth looking into for your piece of mind though.

 

I would definitely check with your pediatrician! When I asked mine, he said there have been few cases in our state so far and being they are not in daycare, not to bother with it. I believe it will also depend on if you live in a cold weather state.