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.
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 I read it but unfortunately I think it is a bit outdated and hence I had to go with y'alls input and my gut instinct.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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
I just saw your question, I know it's old but I thought I would respond anyway.
I did not let either one of my children have the Varicella shot. Chicken Pocs can be deadly if contracted as an adult and considering all the kids that have gotten and had testing done with this shot aren't adults yet, how can we be sure the vaccine won't wear off or that the kids won't contract the disease when they're older. Instead, I exposed both of my children to other children with chicken pocs. They each had chicken pocs for about 10 days just like we all did as a kid, they weren't hurt or harmed from it and I can be fairly sure they won't ever get it again.
As for the MMR, I had mumps when I was in the 4th grade and it was the most miserable, painful thing I've gone through in my whole life, worse than a c-section or kidney stones, I can tell you that first hand. This vaccine is tested, tried, and true. I would encourage you to let your little guy have this shot to prevent this from happening to him.
Hi D.,
You are absolutely right to question vaccinating your child. Please don't listen to Amy and Buzz.
I don't know if you have heard but there are many
studies that have been done which link autism to the
mercury (thermesol) in the 36 vaccines on the official
schedule that are given to children since the 1990's
which is when the autism epidemic started. The good
news is that because of this information children are
being treated and tremendous results are happening.
Below are links to some very informative websites and
studies as well as a very good book. At last there is
hope for these children.
Dr. Amy Yasko's website
www.holistichealth.com
WEBSITES:
www.generationrescue.org (this website has links to
studies)
www.putchildrenfirst.org
www.holistichealth.com
www.evidenceofharm.org
www.danwebcast.com
http://www.autismwebsite.com/ari-lists/us/..%5Cdanus.html
http://www.autismwebsite.com/ari/index.htm
www.safeminds.com
http://www.gfcfdiet.com/
www.impossiblecure.com
www.enzymestuff.com
www.nvic.org
Groups:
____@____.com
____@____.com
____@____.com
____@____.com
____@____.com
GOOD BOOK TO CHECK OUT
A Shocking Discovery: Observations of a
Speech/Language Pathologist
from 1975-2005: What Have We Done To Our Children?
(Paperback)
by Marcia Staggs Abbott (Author)
Book Description
This easy-to-read book contains information that isof
interest to any
parent. Over a span of 30 years, the author, a
speech/language
pathologist, observed a marked increase in the number
of children
diagnosed with autism, ADD, ADHD, learning and speech
disabilities,
etc. She hypothesizes that this drastic change is
related to the childhood vaccination schedule.
Indoctrination versus education is the
main theme of this book, as it challenges that which
we have always
believed about vaccinations and our children.
_________________________
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.
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. :-)
There are a book called what your doctor won't tell you about vaccines, its a good guide, besides it tells you what to do like give the kid vitamin c, cod liver oil, etc, days before and after the shot. I followed, with the difference, that the author suggest to begin at 4 months and we gave the first shot at 12 month, and so far so good
You could try going to www.askdrsears.com, they have a schedule for delayed immunizations. I think their advice on immunizations is pretty well-rounded.
I know that the subject of vaccinations is a touchy one among moms. There are two sides to the debate and both sides are very strong in their opinions making this a very delicate subject but one that I feels is important enough to be discussed. I know it seems cruel to stick a baby with a needle and I know it is horrible to see them cry. However, as hard as that is think how hard it would be to watch a child suffer through whooping cough (pertussis...the P in the DPT vaccine)or Tetanus because they stepped on something playing outside and hadn't had their vaccines. I teach in an elementary school and let me tell you kids get sick A LOT. When you don't vaccinate your child or keep up with your child's vaccines you are not only putting your child at risk but you are risking the health of other people's children.The only vaccine I am split on is Varicella. Kids have been getting the chicken pox for years most without major complications. I will probably give my son the Varicella vaccine to try a save him the discomfort of the chicken pox but if he gets it anyway no big deal. I do not feel that way about Pertussis or Diptheria or Polio. In my opinion, vaccinating your child is the responsible thing to do.
I think that if you aren't happy, you should switch doctors and get what you want for your child. I mean thats the whole reason we are parents, right? I think that its our decision what we think is best for our children. I think that 2nd opinions are a very good idea. I mean, so many peoples lives have been at risk because we trust in our doctors too much. Its hard to find a doctor today that is concerned about our well beings and not theirs. you're right, most are in it for the money. So if there is an issue about you wanting certain things for your child and that doctor isnt willing to comply, then you should find another! I know that the schedule for shots go like this..... 2mo, 4mo, 6mo, 12mo, 15mo, 3yrs etc. So maybe you can try following that pattern or something.
I know this was posted a while back, however, I was wondering what you decided to do and how your child is now? Do you have a boy or girl? I am asking because I have a 4 week young boy and am really scard about the vaccinations because of the link to autism.
HI,
I wouldn't recommend altering your child's shots because their immune system is very weak and vulnerable. If it's the pain that they have to endure that you're concerned about it will go away. People are are exposed to so much during each day and their immune system must be prepared.
I hope this helped.
T.
to amy m:
YOU GO GIRL! what a well written response to a very serious matter.
respected and apprecaited,
C. w
