[Giltine]

How important is it that vaccinations get done on time?

DD's 2 month vaccs were two weeks late due to staffing issues, and I made an appointment for the 4 month ones at that appointment. The appointment was for today, I called to see if I was taking her in or if they were doing it at my house, and I was told that the midwife is in New Zealand with no due date back, and there is no replacement or anyone else in town who can do them.

So what do I do now? Do I wait what could be up to a month for the midwife to come back? Do I drive the 600kms to the nearest town and try and find a doctor who will do it (will hospitals?).

Childcare opens next week, and I was hoping she'd be vaccinated by the time she goes, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen now.

I honestly have no idea what to do, if it can wait, or who to call about it.

[Fossy]

It can be delayed, of course, you just have to weigh up the risk. Personally if I had a young baby starting child care I'd want them to have as many immunisations as possible, even though they still wouldn't have immunity until they get their 6 month ones.

Also check as I believe there has to be certain spacing between some immunisations, and some have to be given before a certain age, so you need to get the balance right. My son missed his rotavirus one because he was over the age limit.

Is there not a GP you can see?

[Jenflea]

I second the GP option if possible. That's who did all my daughter's shots. Ok, technically it was the nurse at the practice, but it was the GP 's rooms.

[Giltine]

The local GP is on holidays until the end of Feb, and he doesn't do vaccinations anyway, and the locum isn't allowed to do them because they are only ever here for a week so aren't around for side effects and things. The nurses at the hospital won't do them either.

So the best thing I should do is go south and find a doctor?

[Kay1]

Personally I would. Mainly because of the rotavirus one. It has to be given within a small timeframe (4 months 3 weeks I think). I would definitely want that one done before she starts childcare. Rotavirus is horrible and not uncommon in daycare environments.

Major hassle for you though. Maybe call the hospital and find out if they do it. Try the GP again too, the rotavirus one is just an oral gel so no injection required. You could maybe at least have that one done. Although personally I'd want them all done before childcare. Good luck.

[elmo_mum]

9i have no idea where you are, but the rch (melb) has a immunisation clinic - maybe call there to see if you can go - providing you are in melb..

also try calling other mchn centres in your council....

or go to a "bulk bill clinic" they will give vaccs

[Giltine]

I'm in Coober Pedy, elmo_mum. I called around and found nothing, and even childcare had no suggestions. So I'll either try and take time off work and find the money to go down south, or take off work and keep her out of childcare for the week and see if the midwife comes back.

We have no other health care professionals. Just the locum doctor, and a hospital which just has emergency nurses, aged care staff and the ambulance crew. None of them even know where the midwife keeps the vaccinations. It's a very small town.

[laura7]

OP who is looking after the midwifes clients/work while she is away? Isn't there a replacement? Maybe they can help. Or do you know any other women with children-maybe they know of an alternative. I feel for you.

[Giltine]

There's another midwife who handles the pregnancy part, and I spoke to her and she says she won't do them, as she leaves all baby things up to the one who is away. She's the one who told me there is no replacement, and told me to just wait until she gets back.

I've asked all the mums I know, and they've all said either wait til she gets back, or go to Adelaide or Port Augusta.

[Jenflea]

Do the Flying Drs go there?