Vaccination Schedule Question - No Debates Please!

[daisylou]

Ummm..not for nothing, but hep b is transmitted through sexual contact and blood, not much chance for a child to get that...which is why I didn't have my new born infant get that shot. I did however, make sure my DS's when they were 18 get that shot, that was not available when they were kids. But since they were sexually active they were at risk.

On the other hand, my 2 youngest get the flu shots every year, and they did get the chicken pox vaccine. Heck, I would have been first on line for that shot, if my older boys didn't get it and give it to me in my 30's.

I understand you want to play devil's advocate, but your child has a hugh risk of getting the chicken pox and the flu and practically no chance of hep b. And the chicken pox is HORRIBLE...it really is bad, and I so wish the vaccine came out years before it did!!

I completely agree with you about the chicken pox vaccination. I was on the fence about getting it for my sons. But, when my son was 10 months old I developed an extremely painful rash on my back and under my breast. Turns out I had shingles (an extremely painful infection that can occur in people who have had chicken pox)! It was so painful, for four weeks I was on opiate based pain medication and I missed two weeks of work (I'm a nurse).

After my pedi explained that children who are vaccinated against chicken pox will also not be susceptible to shingles I was on board. Both of my sons are fully vaccinated.

I'm wondering why several posters have mentioned not wanting the Prevnar vaccine? Pneumococcal disease is a major killer of children in developing countries and can cause meningitis and recurrent ear infections. Is there a controversy with this vaccine (like the MMR)? Or is it just that it is newer?

 

[princessmom29]

Ummm..not for nothing, but hep b is transmitted through sexual contact and blood, not much chance for a child to get that...which is why I didn't have my new born infant get that shot. I did however, make sure my DS's when they were 18 get that shot, that was not available when they were kids. But since they were sexually active they were at risk.

On the other hand, my 2 youngest get the flu shots every year, and they did get the chicken pox vaccine. Heck, I would have been first on line for that shot, if my older boys didn't get it and give it to me in my 30's.

I understand you want to play devil's advocate, but your child has a hugh risk of getting the chicken pox and the flu and practically no chance of hep b. And the chicken pox is HORRIBLE...it really is bad, and I so wish the vaccine came out years before it did!!

Hep B CAN be transmitted by non blood contact!!!!! I got it at age 3 from comtaminated well water!!!!! It is actually more common than you would think! My child was vaccinated at birth b/c I carry antibodies and they cannot be 100% sure all viruses are gone. If a newborn gets it it can be fatal!!! I am a chemist with a biochemistry concentration, and from a biochemical standpoint I just cannot see not having a child vaccinated. Vaccines are designed to cause the body to develop a defence system agianst disease. There is not proven link in any valid scientific study I have read between autism spectrum disorders and MMR. Adverse reactions to vaccinations are extremely rare. My DD got evey vaccine on schedule and I would not have it any other way. I had an aunt who waited to have her son get the MMAR and he almost died from measles at 18 months. He was in the hospital for 2 weeks. They are still unsure of the lone term effects for him. These diseases are nothing to play with. The things that are rutinely vaccinated for such ar meaeals and polio are not common anymore, but that doesn't mean children can't get them. Ask your grandmothers what it was like when a chjild got measeals or polio and you will really get a picture of what it would be like if we did not vaccanite our kids!

 

[mickeyplanner08]

Princessmom29....you probably did not get Hepatitis B from contaminated well water.....that would have been Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a fecal/oral contaminate and Hepatitis B is found in blood and body fluids. Hepatitis A is rarely a serious illness when contracted in childhood, but can be dangerous and even deadly for those over age 50. Hepatitis B is the leading cause of liver cancer in the US and is very rarely found in infants and small children UNLESS their mothers are carriers and pass it on to them-in which case they are at high risk of death from the disease IF they are not treated/vaccinated shortly after birth. THAT is why routine Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all newborns....sometimes mom's tests are not available or not communicated to the proper channels.

Now for all of you who wait until 6 months old to start your children's vaccines, PLEASE tell me that you have all received your own Tdap vaccines. Of the 140 deaths from pertussis in the US from 2000-2005, 94% of them were in infants 3 months or younger-70% of them were likely infected by someone in their household-parent, sibling, grandparent. SO, if you are chosing to not protect your beautiful little one from this God-awful disease by not vaccinating them, please protect them by vaccinating yourself.

OK, M-M-R is available as single antigens, and you can even order it one dose at a time-you do not need to get a box of 10 doses. Again, in the outbreaks currently going on in the US (yep, we are having measles outbreaks, and we had a huge mumps outbreak in 2006) a large majority (94%-99% depending on which state) have been unvaccinated. Some, because they were too young to receive vaccine, some because their parents chose to leave them succeptible.

OK, I know you didn't want a debate, and I don't want to start one, but I am not going to let this thread be full of misinformation.

Now, FLAME AWAY!

 

[princessmom29]

Princessmom29....you probably did not get Hepatitis B from contaminated well water.....that would have been Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a fecal/oral contaminate and Hepatitis B is found in blood and body fluids. Hepatitis A is rarely a serious illness when contracted in childhood, but can be dangerous and even deadly for those over age 50. Hepatitis B is the leading cause of liver cancer in the US and is very rarely found in infants and small children UNLESS their mothers are carriers and pass it on to them-in which case they are at high risk of death from the disease IF they are not treated/vaccinated shortly after birth. THAT is why routine Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all newborns....sometimes mom's tests are not available or not communicated to the proper channels.

Now for all of you who wait until 6 months old to start your children's vaccines, PLEASE tell me that you have all received your own Tdap vaccines. Of the 140 deaths from pertussis in the US from 2000-2005, 94% of them were in infants 3 months or younger-70% of them were likely infected by someone in their household-parent, sibling, grandparent. SO, if you are chosing to not protect your beautiful little one from this God-awful disease by not vaccinating them, please protect them by vaccinating yourself.

OK, M-M-R is available as single antigens, and you can even order it one dose at a time-you do not need to get a box of 10 doses. Again, in the outbreaks currently going on in the US (yep, we are having measles outbreaks, and we had a huge mumps outbreak in 2006) a large majority (94%-99% depending on which state) have been unvaccinated. Some, because they were too young to receive vaccine, some because their parents chose to leave them succeptible.

OK, I know you didn't want a debate, and I don't want to start one, but I am not going to let this thread be full of misinformation.

Now, FLAME AWAY!

It was absolutely hep B from the water b/c the water was tested and found to contain Hep B viruses. I was the only one who acctually contracted it but the whole family was treated just in case. I underwent six weeks of liver enzyme monitoring to track damage to my liver and I have to be very careful with medications that can build up in the liver. I would never post it if I wasn't sure. I still carry hep B antibodies. I was tested while pregnant with DD. The only way to carry those antibodies if you were not vaccinated it to have been exposed to the disease.

 

[mickeyplanner08]

OK, I stand corrected, but I have never, never heard of well water being contaminated with HepB......where in the world do they think that came from? I know it's a miserable virus, but I have no idea how it would have gotten there! Learn something new everyday.....Sorry!

 

[princessmom29]

OK, I stand corrected, but I have never, never heard of well water being contaminated with HepB......where in the world do they think that came from? I know it's a miserable virus, but I have no idea how it would have gotten there! Learn something new everyday.....Sorry!

Best guess was some sort of waste water runoff, although it is unlikely. others were: possible transmission by an animal or we had had the well serviced and there was a possibility that somone servicing it had it and cut themselves. We will never know for sure, but i am still afraid of needles b/c I can remember being strapped down for those blood draws 3 times a week!

 

[daisylou]

Princessmom29....you probably did not get Hepatitis B from contaminated well water.....that would have been Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a fecal/oral contaminate and Hepatitis B is found in blood and body fluids. Hepatitis A is rarely a serious illness when contracted in childhood, but can be dangerous and even deadly for those over age 50. Hepatitis B is the leading cause of liver cancer in the US and is very rarely found in infants and small children UNLESS their mothers are carriers and pass it on to them-in which case they are at high risk of death from the disease IF they are not treated/vaccinated shortly after birth. THAT is why routine Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all newborns....sometimes mom's tests are not available or not communicated to the proper channels.

Now for all of you who wait until 6 months old to start your children's vaccines, PLEASE tell me that you have all received your own Tdap vaccines. Of the 140 deaths from pertussis in the US from 2000-2005, 94% of them were in infants 3 months or younger-70% of them were likely infected by someone in their household-parent, sibling, grandparent. SO, if you are chosing to not protect your beautiful little one from this God-awful disease by not vaccinating them, please protect them by vaccinating yourself.

OK, M-M-R is available as single antigens, and you can even order it one dose at a time-you do not need to get a box of 10 doses. Again, in the outbreaks currently going on in the US (yep, we are having measles outbreaks, and we had a huge mumps outbreak in 2006) a large majority (94%-99% depending on which state) have been unvaccinated. Some, because they were too young to receive vaccine, some because their parents chose to leave them succeptible.

OK, I know you didn't want a debate, and I don't want to start one, but I am not going to let this thread be full of misinformation.

Now, FLAME AWAY!

This is an excellent point. The CDC now recommends adults receive a one time booster against pertussis (whooping cough). This can be given in a TDaP the next time you have a routine tetanus booster (every 5-10 years). Pertussis has become an increasing problem in the US. And it usually the very young or weak that suffer. I knew of someone whose micropreemie son contracted pertussis in a NICU.

 

[AKADrea]

I haven't read everyone's responses yet, so forgive me if I'm repeating!

GET THE VACCINE BOOK by Dr Sears! There are several different schedules given in there towards the back of the book.


You can always give a vaccine later, but you can't take it away once it's given

 

[JoiseyMom]

I completely agree with you about the chicken pox vaccination. I was on the fence about getting it for my sons. But, when my son was 10 months old I developed an extremely painful rash on my back and under my breast. Turns out I had shingles (an extremely painful infection that can occur in people who have had chicken pox)! It was so painful, for four weeks I was on opiate based pain medication and I missed two weeks of work (I'm a nurse).

After my pedi explained that children who are vaccinated against chicken pox will also not be susceptible to shingles I was on board. Both of my sons are fully vaccinated.

I'm wondering why several posters have mentioned not wanting the Prevnar vaccine? Pneumococcal disease is a major killer of children in developing countries and can cause meningitis and recurrent ear infections. Is there a controversy with this vaccine (like the MMR)? Or is it just that it is newer?

At the time Prevnar was brand new...we wanted to wait. I felt the risk was worth it, since my 3 previous children survived without it. Too much stuff comes out with new vaccines and drugs.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Hep B CAN be transmitted by non blood contact!!!!! I got it at age 3 from comtaminated well water!!!!! It is actually more common than you would think! My child was vaccinated at birth b/c I carry antibodies and they cannot be 100% sure all viruses are gone. If a newborn gets it it can be fatal!!! I am a chemist with a biochemistry concentration, and from a biochemical standpoint I just cannot see not having a child vaccinated. Vaccines are designed to cause the body to develop a defence system agianst disease. There is not proven link in any valid scientific study I have read between autism spectrum disorders and MMR. Adverse reactions to vaccinations are extremely rare. My DD got evey vaccine on schedule and I would not have it any other way. I had an aunt who waited to have her son get the MMAR and he almost died from measles at 18 months. He was in the hospital for 2 weeks. They are still unsure of the lone term effects for him. These diseases are nothing to play with. The things that are rutinely vaccinated for such ar meaeals and polio are not common anymore, but that doesn't mean children can't get them. Ask your grandmothers what it was like when a chjild got measeals or polio and you will really get a picture of what it would be like if we did not vaccanite our kids!

I did get my kids the MMR and I had the measles when I was 6, it was a side effect of the brand new vaccine. I also had the mumps.

 

[kami2199]

Hey Kel!

Just sent you an email...we are going through the same thing with D right now and our Ped basically told us to find another doctor. She screamed for a little over 6 hours the night of the DTAP and then had two more spells the following day. And when I say scream, I really mean SCREAMED - arched back, wouldn't eat, NOTHING coudl calm her down. I called the after hours line and the doctor said, well this is normal and call us in the morning if she hasn't stopped crying. We just decided to stop vaxing until she is 18-24 months. When I told them this on Wedesday, they said I needed to take her somwhere else. They push six (I think - maybe five) vaccinations at 2, 4 & 6 months and I just feel like that is WAY too much. So, off we go to find a new ped.

I hope you find one too!

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

I will not forgo any vaccines. Why would I not do the vaccs as the dr recommends? I do not want any of the horrible viruses and illnesses visiting my precious little ones. I have heard friends talk about diphtheria and whooping cough in their homes early in the 20th century (I am 52 yrs old), their stories about waiting on the front porch as their baby brother/sister lay in the bed hacking and coughing, and their parents wailing with grief as the child was dying; and now we can prevent them all with vaccs.

I also can remember the children who wore braces on their legs that had been paralyzed by polio, when I was very young. I remember standing in line with my family when I was about 5 years old - We went to the schools and the health departments to get the polio vaccine, and it was something we gladly and excitedly did. Our friends and neighbors were all in line with us. There was a vaccine, at last!!!

I had mumps, measles, and chickenpox as a child. Now our children can be protected from these ailments. I am the first one to ask the dr when we will get the next vaccs, and I take my children to get them very willingly.

 

[honkytonkmama]

Did not read any of the replies but...

We started vaxing our son at 6 month. Two shots at a time. We only did the DT, not the DTaP. No rotovirus drops.

He still has not gotten the MMR, or the hep B, or the chickenpox. I dont think he will ever get them to be honest. If you wanna know why, just ask.

But, everything eles, two shots a month, starting at 6 months.


Where in maryland are you? I just moved from there, and our doctor up there was ok with us delaying. She was around arundle mills.

 

[pigget74]

I'm wondering why several posters have mentioned not wanting the Prevnar vaccine? Pneumococcal disease is a major killer of children in developing countries and can cause meningitis and recurrent ear infections. Is there a controversy with this vaccine (like the MMR)? Or is it just that it is newer?

We got prevnar but I guess we are an odd case case since youngest DD got double pneumonia at 8wks and has had chronic ear infections for most of her life-going this morning for tubes.

MMR--my 2 year old reacted to this one--came down with measles and chicken pox.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

Hep B CAN be transmitted by non blood contact!!!!! I got it at age 3 from comtaminated well water!!!!! It is actually more common than you would think! My child was vaccinated at birth b/c I carry antibodies and they cannot be 100% sure all viruses are gone. If a newborn gets it it can be fatal!!! I am a chemist with a biochemistry concentration, and from a biochemical standpoint I just cannot see not having a child vaccinated. Vaccines are designed to cause the body to develop a defence system agianst disease. There is not proven link in any valid scientific study I have read between autism spectrum disorders and MMR. Adverse reactions to vaccinations are extremely rare. My DD got evey vaccine on schedule and I would not have it any other way. I had an aunt who waited to have her son get the MMAR and he almost died from measles at 18 months. He was in the hospital for 2 weeks. They are still unsure of the lone term effects for him. These diseases are nothing to play with. The things that are rutinely vaccinated for such ar meaeals and polio are not common anymore, but that doesn't mean children can't get them. Ask your grandmothers what it was like when a chjild got measeals or polio and you will really get a picture of what it would be like if we did not vaccanite our kids!

Thank you for clearing that up. Anyhow, the whole point of my post was to say why not get the vaccines - its to prevent something that could possibly KILL your child - anyone who is not on board with that is playing with fire. I applod your efforts to be on to of your childrens medical needs, everyone should, but Drs and Scientists have been studying this for years. I'm not saying that they never make mistakes (DH is a pharmacist, and I know about the mistakes Drs make), but to think that after reading a few articles that you know more than Drs and chemists and scientists do after years of trials is kind of nuts (for lack of a better word!) Anyway, after reading all the posts and thinking more about it, I am going to get everything done (ie chicken pox and possibly flu) at my girls next appointment. Yeah, I tend to cry more then they do when they get the needle, but we all have to get over that.... somehow!!!

 

[jagafen]

I know we chose to get the MMR at 12 mos. and wait on the varicella until 15 mos. because if DS had a reaction I wouldn't know what he was reacting to. I will say that single varicella shot at 15 mos wasn't that helpful because he got chicken pox anyway! I think they have added a booster at age 4, which might have made a difference for us.

Just an aside.....my best friends hubby sells children's vaccines.....thier trade reports were noting a higer incidence of breakthg\rough chicken pox in children who got vaccinated before 18 months (even though the recommendation was at 12 months) We waited until after DS was 18 months for this reason.

 

[RMulieri]

I have vaccinated my DD 4 on schedule( all of them)The only thing she has not gotten would be a booster she needs for Kindergarten, and since she is not starting Kindergarten till next year I waited.I work as an RN and my husband also works in the medical field( he is a pediatric pharmacist ).I chose to vaccinate becuase of the fact that I am around extremely sick people with all manners of illnesses, and no amount of disinfecting is going to get rid of everything on my skin/clothes etc.I would rather not expose her like that.Vaccinations are a parental choice, do it the way you see fit.i will say that I have seen some pretty bad cases of Whooping cough and measles in the past year or so, not sure if it is because of delayed vaccinations or just diseases finding a way to evolve past the vaccines.To the PP, I had never heard of getting Hep B from well water, but apparently the Hep B virus is mutating as well and has been found in weird places( I asked one of the infectious disease Drs I work with)

 

[princessmom29]

I did get my kids the MMR and I had the measles when I was 6, it was a side effect of the brand new vaccine. I also had the mumps.

You probably got Meseals b/c you got a live vaccine meaning it had live viruese in it. Today's MMR is not a live vaccine. You cannot catch a dead virus!

Hey Kel!

Just sent you an email...we are going through the same thing with D right now and our Ped basically told us to find another doctor. She screamed for a little over 6 hours the night of the DTAP and then had two more spells the following day. And when I say scream, I really mean SCREAMED - arched back, wouldn't eat, NOTHING coudl calm her down. I called the after hours line and the doctor said, well this is normal and call us in the morning if she hasn't stopped crying. We just decided to stop vaxing until she is 18-24 months. When I told them this on Wedesday, they said I needed to take her somwhere else. They push six (I think - maybe five) vaccinations at 2, 4 & 6 months and I just feel like that is WAY too much. So, off we go to find a new ped.

I hope you find one too!

Some children are a little uncomfortable after a vaccination, but better uncomfortable for a few hours that icu for weeks with the disease! BTW my DD had screaming spells like this several times and we discovered it was her formula. It can also be something you eat while nursing.

We got prevnar but I guess we are an odd case case since youngest DD got double pneumonia at 8wks and has had chronic ear infections for most of her life-going this morning for tubes.

MMR--my 2 year old reacted to this one--came down with measles and chicken pox.

How???? MMR is a dead vaccine and has nothing to do with getting chicken pox. Mabye he/she was exposed at the doctor's office.

Thank you for clearing that up. Anyhow, the whole point of my post was to say why not get the vaccines - its to prevent something that could possibly KILL your child - anyone who is not on board with that is playing with fire. I applod your efforts to be on to of your childrens medical needs, everyone should, but Drs and Scientists have been studying this for years. I'm not saying that they never make mistakes (DH is a pharmacist, and I know about the mistakes Drs make), but to think that after reading a few articles that you know more than Drs and chemists and scientists do after years of trials is kind of nuts (for lack of a better word!) Anyway, after reading all the posts and thinking more about it, I am going to get everything done (ie chicken pox and possibly flu) at my girls next appointment. Yeah, I tend to cry more then they do when they get the needle, but we all have to get over that.... somehow!!!

THAT'S GREAT!!!!!!(not that they have to get shots, but that they will be protected!)

 

[RMulieri]

To the OP, I am asking my husband( pediatric Pharmacist) about the availibilty of separate MMR vaccines in the US( it may be regional)I know that some of the vaccines are imported from outside the US.Not sure which ones.I know where I am my Pediatrcian said it only came as MMR.But like I said it could be regional.I will let you know if i have an answer.

 

[RMulieri]

Ok, my Dh finally called me back..One of the drug manufacturers that is a major supplier of the MMR vaccine, used to have a separate Measles,Mumps,rubella vaccine.They are or have very recently stopped producing separate vaccines.You can probably still find it ( for awhile) as separate components but eventually it may only be available as a single MMR.