vaccinations

Hi,

My daughter is on the Government Vaccination Schedule, but we have it done a private clinic. That means I don't have to wait in a cue, but can make an appointment for when it suits me. I think it is great!

I just don't see the point in paying so much more for something you can get for practically nothing!

The private vaccinations start at 8 weeks where the government ones start at 6 weeks. So, if you don't mind paying so much more, you can "spare" your lo the pain for an extra 2 weeks. I just didn't see the point in delaying the inevitable.

Also, as RM said, if you decide to give your baby the chicken pox, MMR etc that is not covered by the Government Schedule, you can have it done at a private clinic. What I did is I took my daughter to MKem to have those ones done as even my private clinic did not have them in stock.

You really need to keep in mind that when you are on maternity leave you will be one salary short (don't know if this will apply to you) and when you can get something for almost R1500 cheaper just by going the goverment route, I think it seriously needs to be taken into consideration.

Hey Misty - I took my other 2 to a private clinic because I was just much too "stuck up" to go to a government clinic.

<and I assume they would be dirty and full, and I did not want to expose my baby to mayhem ...... and and and ......>

However with Isabelle when I popped along to my private clinic and asked her what the 6 week jabs cost and they said R1500.00 I did throw up a little in my mouth (nothing like unpaid maternity leave to really bring you to your senses).

I could afford it (actually I couldn't), but would have to give up wine and chuckles for the month, which did not feel right either.

I popped down to Bothasig Clinic and thought it was going to be horrible. I had worked myself into quite a state by the time I got there, because I thought it was going to be truly horrible.

I was pleasantly suprised. I had Isabelle's jabs done there, and no one asked me for any money - I kept waiting for them to present the bill!

<if you are clever you will do your family planning at the same time and save your medical aid saving portion a bit more>

They just smiled and waved me on my way - bless thier cotton socks!

Isabelle had no reaction, the clinic nurses were lovely and also did the check so that I did not have to go for the 6 week paed check up! So huge money saving.

I opted to take her there for all her jabs, and have really been impressed.

Clean, neat, organised, good nurses. Sure you cannot waltz in, sip your tea and demand attention, so you need to wait like all the locals, but if you get there early or on a not busy day then it is fine.

But all in all, I was generally in and out in under 45 minutes, which was totally acceptable in my map of the world.

I did return to the private clinic recently as I wanted Isabelle to have the MMR and the chicken pox immunisation which is not covered or offered by government.

However that being said, some kids are going to react badly whether they get the government or private dose.

I personally have not seen a variance, but I do not think my kids have a predisposition against drugs, as they do not seem to get any ill effects from them.

thank you ladies i have not started looking into this yet - its just what people are telling me...presume we will start private as birthing private so makes sense to continue that route.

We went the Government route and didn't have any problems. You can go to a Government clinic or private clinic (e.g. at many pharmacies) that stocks state vaccines. Those usually charge an admin/ consultation fee that varies between R 30 and up to R 200. Unfortunately, some jabs such as Rotarix and Prevenar are often out of stock, so you might have to pay those privately.

We went private and paid a fortune. Yes medical aid does cover it and there are possibly fewer side effects, but honestly I am not so sure it was worth the cost.

Once you start with privates you have to continue with them. I think Dylan did get one less inj with the privates, but at a very young age they really don't stress much with the inj at all. It is when they are older that they struggle.

I have heard that there is a huge price difference between private and government of about R1500. This would not be to bad...but each time at 6 10 and 14 weeks will add up fast! Is it true that stae is 6 in one and govermment 5 in one so u will need an extra jab? And does medical aid cover if u go private? I have medical aid and we have plenty of savings, but seems a waste spending R4500 for something u can get fof free? Or am I missing the point?