D.A. asks from San Antonio, TX on September 26, 2006
Alternative Immunization Schedule - Update/Comment
Does anyone have a good immunization schedule that they have used or know of one that seems to be a good one to follow? Would like to delay vaccinating my son, but am not sure how to go about it...would like to delay and split up the shots....any advice greatly appreciated.
So What Happened?™
I would like to thank all the moms out there who have taken the time to respond to my request. All the information was very helpful and I believe that the experience of other moms is worth so much more than any book could ever provide. So here is a BIG THANK YOU to ALL OF YOU!
Ultimately, I did order the book "What your doctor may not tell you about your child's vaccines" by Stephanie Cave. I read it but unfortunately I think it is a bit outdated and hence I had to go with y'alls input and my gut instinct. We have chosen to continue the Prevnar series at the next visit (6 months.) We will see if our pediatrician offers shot-only visits and if so, we plan to give the Polio and Hib vaccines as has been requested in the book and by another mom who I am in touch with to get some more information. After we are finished with Polio and Hib we will probably start with the Dtap/Tdap and we are going to delay Varicella and MMR.
Again, I appreciate the honesty of all of you moms, including those who have been anything but on my side. That is fine, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. We all decide on what is best for our children and I am sure I am not alone when I say that as a first time mom all I want is to do everything right and I am not notorious, because all I want is the best for my child as I am sure all of you want for yours...this is why I am seeking your advice!
To Amy and Buzz: I did consider your comments and I appreciate your input. I hope Miss Buzz will give me a break and make a truce with me. Believe me, I am not a bad mother, I am just cautious and I ask questions and I research. We are all entitled to our own opinion and fortunately we live in a country where we are allowed freedom of mind and speech.
I believe that every mother has to decide for herself what she feels is best for her child(ren). I respect whatever you all decide to do because I trust that you will always act in the best interest of your child(ren). That's what mothers do. Good Luck to all of you and thanks again.
Featured Answers
S.L. answers from Houston on September 27, 2006
My friend who also happens to be a doctor, starts them at 6 months, and nothing at birth! (NO TO THE HEP B at birth) I would love to have had all the information I have now, as I would also have waited on my own 4 children!
I also second NOT getting the chicken pox vac, as 3 of my 4 children came down with it within a year or two of the shot! Along with 2 other children at their school who also had the vaccine.
1 mom found this helpful
K. answers from Abilene on September 27, 2006
The CDC has published a "catch-up" schedule for kids who start late or who are more than 1 month behind. Try Googling "CDC" and "immunization schedule". I pulled my copy but it's 2005, sorry. It should be a PDF file.
Good luck!
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R. answers from Houston on September 27, 2006
Dr. Injac is in the West U area, and his clinic offers SEPARATE Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccines (which is CRUCIAL for avoiding autism). His number is 713/526-6443. He's VERY understanding about vaccinations and a mother's NATURAL and WELL-INFORMED concerns about them. It is said that if you drag the immunizations out over several office visits, that the child will become fearful of the doctor, which is a ridiculous argument. Your child's health is FAR more important than his fear of needles.
You've obviously figured out that jabbing a small baby with up to SIX different vaccines at once is insanity, so I APPLAUD YOU FOR BEING INTELLIGENT AND INFORMED!!! WELL DONE!!
And remember, you DO NOT have to vaccinate for Chicken Pox, and it's best that you DON'T, as the most common side effect is a blazing case of shingles, VERY painful. Whereas, if the child contracts it naturally, he develops 100% immunity, not the 85-98% provided by the vaccines (along with the wonderful side effects).
You're doing a GREAT job, D.!! Do what's RIGHT for your son!
P.S. Go to the Texas Department of Health website and ask for the Immunization Exemption form if you don't have the shots "up to date" for a childcare facility or school. The form allows you to check the ones you have not (or WILL not) give to your child, and you can provide the shot record for the ones you have taken. Have it notarized and turn it in. They can't say a word.
THERE IS NO LAW FORCING US TO VACCINATE OUR CHILDREN!
3 moms found this helpful
D.B. answers from Houston on September 26, 2006
You are very smart to question the system. I didn't and regretted it. Read a book called Vaccines: Are they really safe and effective? A parent's guide to childhood shots by Neil Z. Miller. It states statistic after statistic on how UNSAFE vaccines are to children -especially infants. It's scary. Why do you think you have to sign a release not holding the doctor responsible? With my first child I did exactly what the pediatrician said and she's my sick child. The second I did what this schedule said and I have a VERY HEALTHY child. I would be glad to tell you more - I'm at ____@____.com or ###-###-####. D.
1 mom found this helpful
A.B. answers from Austin on September 26, 2006
My first impulse is to ask you why...then, my thoughts are that everyone should take the vaccine regimine seriously...under the guideance of thier pediatrician. My son has been diagnosed in the Autism Spectrum, he is five and completed all of the vaccinations for his age. However, my daughter is two and only had the reccommended vaccinations for a one-year-old...minus the Hep b...This vaccine is reccommended from birth (usually done at the hospital) and the funny thing is that Hep b is only transfered by blood exposure (unprotected sex, IV drug use and so on) and yet you wander...why a new born? NOT NECESSARY!! After speaking with my children's pediatrician about my concerns, I vaccinated for the highest risk areas and the rest of the series will have to wait until Kate is over the age of three...as the percentages for her regressing neurologically are extremely low(er). Then, I plan to finish the series (minus the hep b). I just don't want to fight the school system every year when her vaccinations are not up-to-date. At this time, my daughter is in mother's-day-out and after explaining my choices coupled with a copy of her vaccinations with an additional comment provided by my pediatrician that I "do attend the well-checks regulaly" there hasn't been much of a problem. Best of Luck-A.
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M. answers from Houston on September 26, 2006
I read the book, "What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Children's Vaccinations" by Stephanie Cave, MD with Deborah Mitchell. She gives an alternative schedule. The book is copyrighted 2001, and you may find a more recent schedule, but here's hers:
Hepatitus B - only give at birth if mother is hep B positive, then follow CDC recommended schedule.
1st series Hib with IPV at 4 mos, then DtaP at 5 mos. (Make sure they're mercury-free.)
2nd series Hib & IPV at 6 mos, then DTaP at 7 mos.
3rd series Hib only, then DTaP at 9 mos.
4th series Hib & IPV at 17 mos, then DTaP at 18 mos.
Boosters for DTaP & IPV at 4-5 yrs.
She does not routinely give Prevnar before age 2, but will give one dose at 2 yrs.
Varicella - she postpones this vaccine until the child is 4-5 yrs old.
MMR - she recommends splitting this vaccine up & giving beginning at 15 mos: measles vaccine 1st, followed by rubella 12 mos later, and mumps 12 mos after that.
MMR - preschool boosters may be give at age 4-5 yrs in the 6 mos period before school starts.
I would recommend reading her whole book, and esp info about the specific vaccines if you're concerned. I was, but had already gotten most of my kids' shots. She eased my worries, and helped me feel more informed and educated - and not at the whim of our country's medical regulations.
M. B
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O. answers from Houston on September 27, 2006
I completely agree with your most recent 4 commments. You are extremely smart and proactive to be questioning the schedule. Both books mentioned are excellent resources for you.
Good luck,
O.
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M.S. answers from Greensboro on September 29, 2006
Hi D.,
Sorry those things are happening to you. However, we are all about vaccines, but like you we struggled with the thought of putting all that stuff into our daughters body at once. Our doctor would not order the THIMEROSAL-FREE VACCINES either. Since my daughter had severe food and environmental allergies we decided to give her one vaccine per month, when it was needed. Example, if she needed tow vaccines for her check up, we would simply explain our concerns to the doctor and tellher that we just want one vaccine at a time, and we will be back for the other one. It took a few times for the doctors to realize everything, but it worked. Doctors can only recommend what happens, it is really up to you take the advise and use it or not. Our experience had worked and my daughter is now four, and is doing well. She is completely up to date and goes to preschool with out a problem. So good luck to you.
M.
1 mom found this helpful
S.L. answers from Houston on September 27, 2006
My friend who also happens to be a doctor, starts them at 6 months, and nothing at birth! (NO TO THE HEP B at birth) I would love to have had all the information I have now, as I would also have waited on my own 4 children!
I also second NOT getting the chicken pox vac, as 3 of my 4 children came down with it within a year or two of the shot! Along with 2 other children at their school who also had the vaccine.
1 mom found this helpful
C.G. answers from Houston on October 02, 2006
Hi D.,
I have had the same concerns you do, without being anti-immunization either. What I find troubling is that it is so difficult to have a calm, balanced, reasonable discussion of this (with anyone, not just doctors). After much research into the topic and searching the medical community, I found a reputable, well-established family doctor here who was able to discuss this with me in a rational manner and answer my questions, and provide an alternative immunization plan for my daughter. She also has a master's degree in public health, and has been very helpful to me in explaining why the vaccine schedules are the way they are. Her information is:
Nellie P. Grose, MD
Center for Health and Healing
230 Westcott Suite #208
Houston, TX 77007
###-###-####
www.tchh.net
I really like the way she interacts with me and my daughter (she is our family physician)--she is very thorough and professional, she has a busy practice but her office is one of the most tidy and orderly I have ever seen, and most of all my little girl is always very happy there, you can tell she knows it is a safe place for her--this was not the case with some other doctors we tried.
Good luck--I'm sorry your question has generated so many acrimonious replies, I think you are doing a good job of being a thoughtful parent.
C. :-)
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