Immunizations? and a Pediatrician

Hi J.,
Good for you.........checking into this BEFORE the baby arrives!
YOU ROCK!
So the Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears is neither for or against vaccines...........it simply educates you on what to do SAFELY if you are going to vaccinate.
You can vaccinate in a safer manner than the "recommended" guidelines.
Of course since the vaccination industry is a HUGE money making industry, they push for tons of un necessary stuff and WAY too much too early, but you can certainly vaccinate at your own pace.
Make sure that whatever doc you find is one that is RESPECTFUL and informed..........tough to find.
I personally have not vaccinated my one year old son at all, but my three year old daughter was vaccinated early on. It's hard as a first time parent to follow your gut instinct, so don't be scared to. Even if it's uncomfortable to hold your ground, DO IT!
You do whatever feels right for you and for your family!
And again, GOLD STAR TO YOU for being pro-active in preparing for your little one.
Just FYI, you can say no thank you to the eye drops at the hospital for your newborn. They are only necessary if you have ghonnorea......it's just that it's cheaper for them to give all babies eye drops than to test all mothers for that STD...........
also, just FYI, you can wear your own clothes or go naked during the birth or whatever you want, i didn't know that with my first and hated those hospital gowns and was much happier with my second in my own clothes......i had a great birth doula!
Totally off topic, but good to know!
;)
Happy parenting!!!
S.
www.MomsOnAMission.US

Hello J.! While we have chosen not to immunize our children (except that we didn't decide until our first was a year old so she got her first year of shots), I have a friend who swears by a book written by a doctor who recommends getting immunizations but only following certain guidelines, such as only one shot at a time, taking specific vitamins before and/or after, etc. I haven't read the book but here is a link to it if you'd like to know some more about it.

I know it is a difficult decision. I commend you on researching what is best for your baby. Good luck!

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/What-Your-Doctor-May-Not...

Hi J.,

I went through the decision-making process, as well (I have two healthy girls ages 6 and 2). I ended up separating the MMR shot (measles, mumps, rubella) into two shots given at different times. My pediatrician assured me that there is no clear evidence that the MMR shot causes autism, etc. but was very willing to separate the shot for my peace of mind... just a suggestion, anyway!

L. of Huntington Beach

I am not going to tell you wheter you should get the immunizations or not, I have 2 kids and they both got all their shots. They are going to need them to get into school, just FYI. But talk with your Pediatrician. I have a wonderful Christian peditrician.(actually he is a family doctor) But he is Huntington Beach. Dr. Bart Barrett. His office is on Beach Blvd. He is really good on getting you in on very short notice, especially when you have sick child. I have never had to wait to see him. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and your decision.

Check out: generationrescue.org
Take a look at their alternative vaccination schedule. Vaccinations are important but you should take precautions.
I think this information will be very helpful to you.

Hi J.,

I did some checking myself before my son was due for his various immunizations. I also talked to his pediatrician at length as well. The research I found (via medical articles backed by research, i.e. Harvard, etc.) could not link immunizations to autism. Around 2002 or so, mercury was removed from the immunizations thinking that had something to do with the increase. The percentage of children diagnosed with autism did not change after that (latest research completed in 2007). So, why the continued diagnosis of autism? No one knows yet. It could be because of better testing, knowledge of autism is increasing, or many other factors, but immunizations cannot be directly linked.

What I can tell you about my own decision is that I did not want to take the chance that my son would get measles, whooping cough, polio, etc. Coupled with the increased immigration of families, the possibility he could get one of those diseases does increase. Also due to the fact that so many people don't immunize their children because of the fear of autism aids to increase that as well. I have kept my son on a regular schedule excluding the rotavirus injection. That one is new and there is not much data to see possible side affects. Also, rotavirus causes severe diarrhea which is very treatable. The other virus' are not as so. I also delayed his MMR because it is egg based and he has a dairy allergy. I do not know yet if he has an allergy to eggs. He probably does not, but just to be sure, we won't give him that until 18 months of age.

Good luck to you. There is very strong opinion about this topic as you have found I am sure. In the end, you will weigh your decision on what makes you most comfortable. Basically I wasn't willing to expose my son to polio or other virus' (there have been pockets of outbreaks of polio because so many parents have chosen to not immunize) and that was enough for me.

Good luck!

L. H.
Costa Mesa

Dear J., Hi my name is J. and i am a health assistant for Garden Grove Unified school dist. I am also the mother of a 12 year old daughter with Autism. And i am a firm believer that the mmr injection caused my daughters Autism She was fine before she recieved that immunization. And yes alot of people say no but i know my own child. Here is something that the public schools will not tell you. You fill out a blue csir card when you enroll your child in school csir=California School Immunization record. On the back of the card is a place to sign saying that due to personal beliefs you do not want your child immunized. So what ever you end up doing it is up to you and don't let anyone pressure you into doing something you don't want to do. I am very pro immunizations, but please consider giving your child the mmr immunization seperatly. Thanks J.

Please immunize your children. There are more children dying from measles now because of people NOT immunizing their children. Immunizations DO NOT cause autism. We are getting more diagnosed children with autism because of better early diagnosis and testing and a change in the definition of what is autism. In the "old" days only sever autism was recognized and children that fell on the autistic spectrum were either considered "problem" children or just "different". If you don't immunize your children, they not only could get these awful diseases, but could die from them AND could contribute to exposing other children these diseases. People have forgotten how awful measles is. I had it just before the vaccine became available. I was miserable and so was my sister. Side effects can be as severe as blindness. We have a family friend who became legally blind as a result of measles as a child. Remember polio? There was an epidemic among the chimpanzees in Jane Goodall's study area and she wept for her beloved chimps that were dead or maimed. My grandmother had polio and wore braces her entire adult life. She was lucky. Some who couldn't get iron lungs back then died. I think perhaps we are doing too many immunizations too early for diseases that are perhaps not as severe as measles and polio and tetanus. But surely, these three are absolutely necessary. Don't forget diptheria(can't spell it). My mother had whooping cough as a child and she said it was awful too. I am not convinced some of the other vaccines, but please at least protect your child and others againts the worst. Please take my family's personal experiences to heart. Do not let your child needlessly suffer from what used to be childhood nightmares.

Hi J.,
I will try to make this quick. Dr. Selem in Long Beach, 2700 Bellflower Blvd. Suite 201. She has pictures of Jesus up in her office and a cross on her neck so I'm pretty sure she is a christian. I had my daughter immunized up until her 1 year shots. At 9 months she had a flu shot and 5 hours later I rushed her to the ER she couldn't breath. She is fine now but I decided based on MY instincts that I would not immunize again until we could rule out possible Autism Spectrum Disorder (about age 2-21/2) I told my doctor this and she said very plainly and kindly"i'm sure there is nothing I can say to change your mind. Trust your own instincts. I still want to see your daughter for all of her check-ups whether or not you decide to vaccinate" That was it. She is the doctor, I am the mother and she respects my decisions. She also takes every possible insurance and has a great team working for her. My friend goes to Doctor Sears...as in THE Dr. Sears who wrote all the books...I just can't justify the 45 minute drive when my Dr. is so kind, gracious and respectful. Good Luck and DONT STRESS!

Hi there,

I completely understand where you are coming from and I was there too. I have a 2 year old daughter. But I remember something from when I was a child. My friend's mother had polio as a child and suffered from its effects as an adult. I could not live with myself if I could have prevented my child from getting an illness and did not.

Plus, I was a teacher in a public school and I noticed with all of the people from other countries moving here you never know what the children are going to be exposed to. Even though I have vaccinated my child it still scares me what disease she could be exposed to but I would rather me safe than sorry.

As for a good doctor, we have Kaiser and go to the La Palma office. We have loved it and have not had any bad experiences. I even fought with my husband about have Kaiser for our insurance. Dr. Castillo is my daughter’s doctor.

Kaiser draws blood to check for lead at a year and three years. I talked to the doctor, when my baby just turned a year. She suggested that I do the test but I fought her on it. I said our house and paint were not that old so where else would the baby get lead from. She said you would be surprised that it is even in the toys. I thought there is no way. Just before my baby turned 2 she talked me into it. Then I started to see all of the toys being recalled for lead. So, she was right!!!!

Speaking of lead toys: My sister found the best site for recalled toys. It is produced by the state of Oregon. http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/lead/recalls.shtml
It is the only site that we found that gives names and pictures of the toys recalled only for lead in the paint. Also, from the information that I have read, the children do not have to put the toy in their mouths. With the lead paint on the plastic toys it creates like a dust that the children get on their hands which can get on their food and into their mouths. I wash my baby’s hands all the time.

I hope that helps.
K.

Hi J.~

We have a 2 1/2 year old daughter and I am 5 months pregnant and we have a GREAT pediatrician in Long Beach, located right next to Long Beach Memorial Hospital, where I gave birth. The office is called Columbia Pediatrics ###-###-####, and we see Dr. Gaoghajan (which is pronounced "go-hagen") and she is great! I'm guessing she is in her mid-40s with two daughters of her own. She is very, very personable. Another Dr. in that office that we've seen and liked very much is Dr. McCormack. She is also very nice and personable. This office was referred to me by two seperate people that had great things to say and I'm really happy we chose to go with them. I don't know if they are considered a "Christian" office, but they are still awesome!

Oh, and we did all the immunizations and everything was fine, but it's always good to discuss your concerns with the Dr. We did and it helped.

Good luck!