RSV Virus - anyone get the vaccine for it?

I got a call from the pharmacy on Friday saying my ped. ordered the vaccine (Synagis) for the RSV virus for Max because he was a premature, born at 36 weeks, and had open heart surgery at 8-weeks old to fix a congenital heart defect. I called the ped. and the nurse said they wanted to see if the insurance would cover it and didn't feel Lily needed it only Max. Well the shot is $800 and a shot must be given each month for 5 months. Our insurance will cover it 100%, but I was upset because the doctor never discussed this with me at our last visit they just ordered it. Plus it made me think no wonder insurance costs are so high.

I called my son's cardiologist to see how she felt about this vaccine and she will be calling me this week when she returns from vacation. The nurse said since we don't do daycare and don't take the babies out shopping with us the risk of getting RSV is very low, so it leaves me wondering why I should let them turn Max into a pin cushion because our ped. is over caucious since he never had a baby who had open heart surgery. If Max needs the shot fine, but I don't want to subject him to more shots than neccessary.

So has anyone here experienced this vaccine?

 

Both of my girls were on Synagis last winter as they were born at 28 weeks. They experienced absolutely no side effects from the shots whatsoever. I was a little bummed out that they didn't qualify this year. If he qualifies I would definitely get it for him. RSV can be very bad, and its not worth taking any chances, epsecially considering your DS's history. Neither one of my girls have caught so much as a cold to date. GL with your decision...that is definitely weird that your pedi didn't discuss it with you.

 

Mine were supposed to be getting it however I just got a letter from my insurance saying that they won't cover it. We can't afford to pay for it out of pocket so needless to say they won't be getting it now. Both of my boys were in the NICU and one of them had a lot of lung issues so I was really hoping they would be able to get these shots. I am terrified of RSV b/c of my experience as a nurse although we don't take them to daycare and I plan on staying in as much as possible to I pray that they will be fine.

 

Hi ladies,

We are suppose to get this as well. Can anyone tell me when it is given? I understand that it's more than one shot. We haven't been told anything yet so I'm curious. We signed up at the hospital before the babies were discharged, so I'm not sure if we will have to get it there or at our Pedi office.

 

QUOTE(San12 @ Oct 19 2008, 04:46 PM) [snapback]1032733[/snapback]
Hi ladies,

We are suppose to get this as well. Can anyone tell me when it is given? I understand that it's more than one shot. We haven't been told anything yet so I'm curious. We signed up at the hospital before the babies were discharged, so I'm not sure if we will have to get it there or at our Pedi office.

Its given during the RSV season (usually Oct-April) and its a shot that is given once a month for the entire season. My girls got it at their pedi's office.

 

We just got our first round last week. The lady explained that it is antibodies and there shouldn't be side effects like vaccines can have.

 

We had our first RSV shots last week. Both of mine got runny noses shortly after, so I'm not sure if that was a side effect or if we picked up some germs going to the hospital clinic to get the shots. The brochure from Synagis says a runny nose is a possible side effect, and they feel fine otherwise. The shots are actual antibodies, and they last 28-32 days, so you have to be rigid on getting your shots every month, to the day. The nurses said the shot is thick, so it hurts going in and will leave the thigh sore.

 

My girls were born at 32 weeks exactly so they do qualify and I am glad to have them getting the synagis for this season.. I do not want to risk a hospital stay this winter!! I say since the insurance pays you should do it. Better safe than sorry is my motto.

 

My dh's younger brother's kids (then 2.5 y/o & 10 m/o non daycare kids) got RSV last December. They gave it to dh's older brother's ds (9 m/o non daycare kid) who then gave it to his 10 day old sister. She ended up in the hospital because of it. Mine were born at 31w 4d so they got the shots last winter from Oct - Apr. It sucked but they didn't get RSV and they are in daycare. We're getting it again this year as the ins co is being kind enough to pay for it again. I had to think about it this year when my ped told me he recommended it for us. I finally decided I'd regret not getting it more than I would hate the total hassle of getting it if something happened to them. Tuesday is our first appt of the season. <_< With your ds' risk factors, I think it makes more sense to get it than to not get it.

Good luck with your decision.

Christy

 

hello ckreh,
My son/daughter we born at 25 wks. We had to have the Synagis program for their first year of life. And I was not taking any chances. Just think of all the times you have to take the little ones to the doc. office. They will be exposed to all kinds of crude. I would definately get, especially if you are covered. I can understand the being frustration with the doc. He should of discussed it with you, but really I would get it done.

I did the program and also lived in a basic bubble the only time the kids left the house was for appointments. And since we had no sitters, still don't and they are five now. That met that I did not leave either. WE stayed in the house during the whole season. It was rough, but well worth it as they did not get too sick.

And just to let you know how rough RSV can be, my son. Relatively healthy for a former micro preemie caught RSV last year (age 4) and had to be in the hospital as he almost stopped breathing. He kept throwing up, could not breathe, his o2 went down. It was terrible. He had to nebulizer (sp?) treatments and more. I would not wish this on anyone, but especially not a little one that has already been through a rough start.

Blessings,
Gen

 

QUOTE(ckreh @ Oct 19 2008, 04:09 PM) [snapback]1032704[/snapback]
So has anyone here experienced this vaccine?


Our neonatologist explained to us that it's not really a vaccine, it's antibodies. That's why you have to keep going back every month. A vaccine wouldn't be like that and would have lots of potential side effects.

We're going to start it in a couple weeks. I specifically requested it, even though my twins were 34 weekers and it's usually only for 32 weekers and earlier. My toddler got RSV last year at 18 months and it was scary. It wasn't a "bad" case (no hospitalization) but she did develop pneumonia twice because of it and every time she's gotten a cold since we've had to be really vigilant about watching it in case it turns into pneumonia again. And that was an 18 month old. I can't imagine how awful it would be for mynewborn preemies to get RSV, it sends chills down my spine to think of it!! We don't want to go back to the NICU ever again. Getting a quick shot of antibodies once a month seems well worth it, considering.

 

QUOTE(gigiRN @ Oct 19 2008, 07:32 PM) [snapback]1032721[/snapback]
Mine were supposed to be getting it however I just got a letter from my insurance saying that they won't cover it.

same here. apparently the insurance company decided we don't have enough risk factors. they were born at 33 weeks and the usual cutoff for automatically getting it is 32 weeks. apparently the fact that they're going to be in daycare isn't enough for them. the doctors at the hospital and our ped feels strongly that they should have it but blue cross disagrees.

it infuriates me that the health of my babies is up to the discretion of a bunch of insurance desk jockeys. they completely threw all of the doctors' recommendations out the window.

 

My pediatrician didn't ask me either, but I was expecting my girls to get Synagis. Medicaid denied it, but my insurance company will cover it. It's $1800 per month per child in Nebraska. It just surprised me that medicaid would rather pay for a hospital stay than just pay for the vaccination to prevent the stay. I would rather take the precaution before they actually get sick.

 

I'm sorry to everyone who's insurance doesn't cover it! They really should rethink their policies!!!

My girls are getting the shots...

My son got bronchilitis because of rsv when he a little less than a year. it sucked! we had to do breathing treatments and what not...

if it's possible for you to get the shots i would suggest it....good luck! hope everyone stays healthy!!!

 

Mine gottheir before they left the NICU, then the ped requested it but it took over 1 month 1/2 for the insurance to approve it. They
fianally got it last week and I was told the insurance would cover it for 11 months...unfortunately that was under my insurance i (now in Cobra)
and I don't know if my husband's insurace will cover it. I wish I knew before I stop paying Cobra if dh would cover it or not..here
my ped. told me it as 1100 per shot.




QUOTE(ChanceKathleen @ Oct 20 2008, 07:49 AM) [snapback]1033270[/snapback]
I'm sorry to everyone who's insurance doesn't cover it! They really should rethink their policies!!!

My girls are getting the shots...

My son got bronchilitis because of rsv when he a little less than a year. it sucked! we had to do breathing treatments and what not...

if it's possible for you to get the shots i would suggest it....good luck! hope everyone stays healthy!!!

 

QUOTE(ckreh @ Oct 19 2008, 06:09 PM) [snapback]1032704[/snapback]
I got a call from the pharmacy on Friday saying my ped. ordered the vaccine (Synagis) for the RSV virus for Max because he was a premature, born at 36 weeks, and had open heart surgery at 8-weeks old to fix a congenital heart defect. I called the ped. and the nurse said they wanted to see if the insurance would cover it and didn't feel Lily needed it only Max. Well the shot is $800 and a shot must be given each month for 5 months. Our insurance will cover it 100%, but I was upset because the doctor never discussed this with me at our last visit they just ordered it. Plus it made me think no wonder insurance costs are so high.

I called my son's cardiologist to see how she felt about this vaccine and she will be calling me this week when she returns from vacation. The nurse said since we don't do daycare and don't take the babies out shopping with us the risk of getting RSV is very low, so it leaves me wondering why I should let them turn Max into a pin cushion because our ped. is over caucious since he never had a baby who had open heart surgery. If Max needs the shot fine, but I don't want to subject him to more shots than neccessary.

So has anyone here experienced this vaccine?


I understand feeling blindsided by the ped ordering the shots without discussing it with you, but in this case, he's making the right call to order the vaccine. In fact, I'd be glad he's so on top of things!

Definitely get the shots!!! I have a 5 y.o. DD who was born at 29 weeks. We had to fight our insurance company to cover it for her second winter. RSV is so dangerous to preemies - esp if your son has had open heart surgery. He's delicate and needs time for his body to become strong. RSV - even for full-term babies - is devastating! I'd say a few pin pricks is definitely worth it to keep him out of the hospital.

Like others have said, we had no side effects, and even the shots weren't a big deal. No crying from the injections.

 

It's more antibodies then an actual vaccine. I would research it if you feel uncomfortable about it. My twins were born at 30 weeks and we didn't do the shot. They have never had RSV, nothing more then a runny nose a few times since birth. During RSV season (Nov-Apr), we avoid public places as much as possible still visiting friends and families homes though, a lot of hand washing, etc.

 

My girls both got the RSV antibody shots last year. We just barely qualified since they were born at 34 weeks 2 days and were generally healthy. It's a pain (literally!) to have shots for them every month, but it's worth it since RSV can be quite severe. For those of you with insurance, you should check to see if your insurance company will pay for a nurse to come to your house to give the shots. We did this and it was great - no trips out in the cold to the pedi's office where they would be exposed to germs.