A serious word of caution to all parents
By vicki2876
@vicki2876 (5636)
Canada
November 6, 2007 11:24am CST
I am posting a letter that I have forward to the administration for Public Health in Nova Scotia Canada, Local Public Health and to the School Board my children attend.
To Whom It May Concern:
On Friday November 2, 2007, my daughter Jessica, received the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine without my consent. She attends the Education Centre in our County. I did sign the consent form stating I did not want her to receive this vaccination. Monique Samson RN was the nurse who administered the vaccine.
Jessica was not asked her name and did not give any response to who she was. She was mistaken for another student in the school. Jessica has a great fear of needles and has had bad reactions to vaccinations in the past. This was noted by me on her consent form. I do not know if it was the vaccine or just overwhelmed but that evening she was sore, tired, had nausea, dizziness and diarrhea but luckily she had no fever. No other person in our house had any of these symptoms. She was fine the next day, only her arm was sore.
I understand that mistakes can happen, but when it comes to giving children medications it is very important to be very cautious. I believe if it was mandatory to ask the child their name and get a response before going any further, this would not have occurred.
I felt it was important for me to express my feelings about what has occurred. I was very upset that a mistake like this could happen. I have lost faith in having any of my three children receive any form of vaccinations in this current system. I also fear if the process doesn’t change, it could affect other children in the school system.
Yours truly
I thought that all parents here should know that they are taking risks allowing any vaccinations to take place within the school system. When Jessica was 18 months old we had her in the hospital after a serious reaction to a vaccination. We are very lucky that Jessica was not seriously harmed in this situation, but we shouldn't have had this happen at all.
Does this not seem like the stupidest thing you ever heard? She didn't even ask her name!
3 people like this
16 responses
@BlueAngelRS (2899)
• Canada
6 Nov 07
That health nurse should seriously have her job taken away...That is the most irresponsible things I've ever heard...I mean consent forms are for a reason and to be not to give a care in the world to going through forms and asking names properly and just going ahead and giving a needle my god...I really hope this health nurse is put on strict probabtion or loose her job.
2 people like this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
7 Nov 07
An up date to this is that I have been speaking with her boss and they are taking this very seriously. They are going to be letting me know what the outcomes of the investigation are. I also put a letter to the editor in the local paper.
1 person likes this
@BlueAngelRS (2899)
• Canada
7 Nov 07
That is good that they are investigating it and good for you for putting it in the local paper I really hope the matter is seriously looked into and I'm glad to know that your daughter is fine.
1 person likes this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
7 Nov 07
I don't have any faith in school nurses. We had one that insisted that my son had his tonsels out. she couldn't see them. He never had them removed but kept instisting that he had them removed when he told her that he hadn't. I finally had to let her know that he still had his tonsils. I haven't had any faith in them sence. Nor would I allow them to give any thing beyond an asprin to one of my kids.
2 people like this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
8 Nov 07
I totally agree. I will never have them do anything for my children and I have instructed the kids to raise heck if they try. Thanks
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
6 Nov 07
...lately it seems to me the schools can feel too proprietary about our kids! Why should they have to ask the names, when (as far as 'they're concerned) everyone should get this shot.. doesn't really matter what the backwards parents think, or have concerns about.. just look at the schools (in the US) which are giving birth control pills to girls as young as eleven.. without parental consent or even notification.. if the parent signed the form saying it's ok for the school nurse and nurse's office to take a temperature or what not, if it's needed. We thought this was a new thing.. turns out it's happening in a few schools and has been for awhile! And what about the huge decision to have or not have an abortion when your daughter is at a young and tender age.. How many girls would rather go home and face the parents, or just be whisked off secretly to an office to take care of the problem, presumedly with no after affects or consequences ever.. Ever read "A Brave New World"? sometimes I think we're headed right that way, everyone, wards of the state. Parents? What's that?
2 people like this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
7 Nov 07
Wow your post scares me out of my mind! Your points are so scary. I think anything medical should be left to parents, period, end of story!
1 person likes this
@SViswan (12051)
• India
6 Nov 07
I totally agree. What's the point of having a consent form if you are not going to check? Just an eyewash I say! You have not given your consent for your daughter to be vaccinated and you have cited your reason. What if she had a serious reaction? Who would be responsible? You did the right thing.
I don't understand how we can trust ANYONE with our children nowadays. The adults at school are responsible for our kids when they are at school.
I had a similar incident earlier with a consent form and a trip from school. I didn't give my consent because they hadn't mentioned where they were taking the 4 year olds and to top that I had to sign a form stating that the school was NOT responsible for anything that happens to the child on the field trip! Can you believe that?! I refused to sign the slip but they took my song along.I found out where they were taken (after calling up the office) and drove down and brought him home! I did send out a letter and luckily it hasn't happened after that.
1 person likes this
@packgirl4 (402)
• United States
6 Nov 07
Wow, that scares the heck out of me too!!!
1 person likes this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
6 Nov 07
Oh my goodness I wouldn't have signed that either. That would scare me out of my mind.
I think my letters are just a first step. I know there will be more. But it has been difficult because we didn't have power until today for me to make calls and stuff.
Thanks
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
7 Nov 07
I really do agree with you and tink the situation was mishandled at the school. You have every right to be angry as tey were the adults in charge and should have been paying better attention and making sure proper protocal was followed. BUT...
Did your daughter know she wasn't supposed to get the vaccine? Why didn't she speak up? It's not like they snuk up and jabbed her with the needle without her knowing what was going on. I don't mean that to sound like I'm blaming her or anything I'm just wondering if there was more going on with it than just the nurse not checking names. Could the school have intentionally put pressure on your daughter to have it done? Maybe by telling her to just not say anything and it would be fine? I'd talk to her even more just to make sure you have the whole story.
1 person likes this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
7 Nov 07
Yes she did do the best she could for a 12 year old and that's exactly what I meant. The poor girl! So not only did the school perform a potentially dangerous procedure against your wishes, they also pressured a minor child into doing something she wasn't comfortable with and knew was wrong. I think you have a lot of things in your favor if you want to persue a case against the school over this. Good Luck!
1 person likes this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
7 Nov 07
She told them that she thought I did not consent and that she had a history of bad reactions. The lady's response was that she didn't see that on the form (Not her own form) and that it wasn't going to get her out of taking the needle. For a 12 year old who is afraid of needles and scared out of her mind I think she did the best she could. After all the lady was a nurse and an adult.
@thefuture (1749)
• Nigeria
6 Nov 07
Hi vicki! I really want to show my appreciation to you for sharing your experience to myloters. I think it will go a long way in getting people alert on vaccine issue. I believe that most parents will learn a lot from this discussion. Thanks
@Ciniful (1587)
• Canada
7 Nov 07
Here, the mandoratory vaccines are automatically dispensed through the school system, HOWEVER .... this is the first year I've had an issue with it. The extra vaccinations that are NOT mandatory are also offered, but only given if the parent offers consent. I did consent to my 12 year old son receiving his MMR vaccine and booster this year, but I denied consent for the MenC vaccine. It's far too new and the risks and side effects are not well enough documented yet for me to allow my son to be their guinnea pig, so I chose to not have him receive this particular vaccination.
They gave it to him anyway.
To say I was furious would be a huge understatement. I raised hell with the school administration, the school board AND the public health unit that administered the shot. I wrote letters to our local paper, informing other parents to keep a VERY watchful eye on their children during vaccination times. I basically was an enourmous pain about it, and intend to continue to be. My sons health is not something I take for granted.
You wrote a very articulate and polite letter, which I definitely wasn't capable of doing at the time. I applaud you being able to keep your cool. :)
1 person likes this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
7 Nov 07
I am so sorry that you went through the same thing as I. You know exactly how I feel!!!! Yesterday I wrote to the local newspaper as well because parents do need to know this happens. It honestly left me wanting to throw up. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I was told by the nurse (if you want to call her that) that there is a reported 0.3% mistake rate in 30000 needles to kids in Nova Scotia last year. But to be honest I think it is higher because the nurse wasn't even going to report it until I called every place I could think of. Considering there should be 0% mistake rate in children's health I think this is terrible!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (121065)
• United States
7 Nov 07
Wow, Vicki, I am neither Canadian or a mother, but this is outrageous! I am so glad you shared this with us. How irresponsible of the school and the nurse. When it comes to children, extra care has to be done, and I am sorry to say it wasn't done for your daughter. Those reactions are side effects of that vaccine, although of course they could always say it was caused by something else, but not with a straight face. In America this vaccine is given in three parts. Is this the same in Canada? If it is, I hope they don't make the same mistake the next time.
1 person likes this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
8 Nov 07
Yup it is done it three parts. This was the first one, but she will not be getting the others. Thanks a lot for responding AmbiePam
1 person likes this
@PurpleTeddyBear (6685)
• Canada
7 Nov 07
Hi vicki,
The letter sounds good, it is short, sweet, and to the point but if I were you I think I would have been a little bit harsher! I commend you for keeping your cool! I just can't get over the fact that they never even asked your daughter her name! What the hell? Glad to hear that Jessica didn't have too many problems with the vaccine.
1 person likes this
@PurpleTeddyBear (6685)
• Canada
8 Nov 07
Good for you for writing the paper, I think the more people that are aware the better. I'm also glad you told your kids to raise heck the next time someone tries to do something they don't have consent for.
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
7 Nov 07
Thanks PurpleTeddyBear. I did write to the local paper yesterday as well, it is slightly harsher, but not nearly as harsh as I felt. I wanted to vomit it made me so sick. I fear for the children in our school system. I have now warned my children to not let anyone at school give them anything and to raise complete heck if they try but I worry for the others. I am lucky she was okay after.
1 person likes this
@raychill (6525)
• United States
6 Nov 07
Ok. I know this is a serious discussion and I don't have kids so I can't really participate.. but I just had to say this.
When I first read it I missed the word "Vaccine" and I thought it just said that they gave your daughter HPV without your consent! and I was like "Wait... you have to give consent for your daughter to have a virus!?" oh man.
Then I re-read it!
1 person likes this
@packgirl4 (402)
• United States
6 Nov 07
OMG, how ridiculous!!!!You are way too nice, I would have contacted an attorney already. Unfortunately I believe that is the only way to make people understand how large of a mistake that was made and make sure it never happens in the past. I have 2 friends with children that cannot get any vaccines without being in the care of a doctor due to the horrible reactions they get!
This scares me and makes me very sick feeling all at the same time. The people you trust with your kids....
1 person likes this
@3lilangels (4639)
• United States
7 Nov 07
wow i cant believe what i just read,thats crazy.that nurse should of been fired,i am so glad that your daughter is ok.by my god i would of lost it.yes mistakes can happen but something so serious like this they should of been more accurate with their information.i would talk to a lawyer and see what you can do to help this situation.pattie
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
8 Nov 07
Thanks pattie! I hope by getting the word out, ( I also wrote in the local paper) that more parents are aware and take steps to protect their children.
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
6 Nov 07
I would have been so mad if I were in your shoes. What is the point of the "no I don't want my kid to get vaccinated" section of the form for if they are not even going to look at it. I am glad your daughter is ok. I think you were too nice in the letter.
1 person likes this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
6 Nov 07
I was very mad when it happened but then couldn't do anything about until today when we got power restored. It is a first step. I have to make sure something like this doesn't happen again. Thanks
@ayou82 (3450)
• Philippines
7 Nov 07
Mistakes are mistakes, but as a mother i will feel bad about what they did to my child if for instance that happens to one of my kids, i will take actions and have this investigated. It is a very serious case that I have to be aware of.
And yeah she did not confirm the name first before doing the vaccination process.
1 person likes this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
7 Nov 07
In Ohio, vaccinations are not given in school. They are done by the primary care provider (The family doctor) only with the parent's consent. I did not know that they did vaccinations in schools anywhere, and am shocked at what they did to your child.
If I were you, I would file a very hefty lawsuit on the school board there. You did everything possible to alert the school officials that you did not want your child to receive this vaccination. Furthermore, at least I know this is true in the United States, medical persons must verify that a person is the person they think it is before administering any medication, and I believe very strongly this must be true in Canada, or else this would be provision for a whole lot of mistakes. I would speak to a lawyer on this matter and find out what can be done. For even though your daughter is fine, it could have turned out a lot worse. At the very least, the school officials and medical staff have gone against the child's guardian's wishes.
1 person likes this
@spacecreature (114)
• United States
6 Nov 07
Yes that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard what a school not to find out what the childs name was. I am glad to hear that there was no serious reaction to the vaccination and glad to hear that she is alright
