Vaccination Schedule Question - No Debates Please!

[ClarabelleCowFan]

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

Love that book. Probably one of the few actually unbiased sources of information out there. We are trying to follow his vaccine schedule but can't find a Ped yet who will do so.

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!

Hey girl! Sorry D had a reaction. It sucks.

DD14 had a reaction to DTP at age 2 months and after that received DT only - as did DD9 until DTaP came out. These reactions are terrifying and I will not soon forget rushing my 2 month old across town to the ER. DD14 also contracted Rotavirus (this was before the vax was out) and was hospitalized with it so when the vax came out we had DD9 and DS1 vaxed against it.

DD9 contracted chicken pox and rotavirus even though she was vaxed against both.

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.

Our point exactly - we want to space out the vaccines and delay some.

I knew this thread would eventually take the turn of whether or not to vax. That was never my question. We are going to fully vax but we want to do it on a schedule different from the one the STATE recommends.

I have absolutely no confidence in our current Pediatrician and her attitude and resistance to any vax questions or requests is very frustrating. We haven't pursued this course of action of delaying vaccines lightly or without any valid research. Despite the Ped treating us like we are uneducated idiots on this topic, at least DH has some related credentials since he is halfway to his PhD in Biochemistry and is a former college Professor in that very subject. FIL is a Pharmacist as is a close friend and we have sought their input as well. Our own Pharmacist here in MD has a son with autism and will no longer vax his own kids because he believes their is a link between the 2.

It is up to each parent what to do for their own child.

For us, our choice is to vaccinate but to space them out and delay some until an age later than the state recommends. Our challenge is finding a Pediatrician who is willing to do this.

HonkyTonkMama - we are in Harford County - Bel Air. AA Mills is a bit too far of a drive for us but thanks.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

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.

Thanks so much for asking him.

I appreciate the info. If MMR is the only option then we are definitely delaying that one for awhile.

 

[RMulieri]

No problem.But call other Pediatric offices and inquire..some may have them still.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

I have absolutely no confidence in our current Pediatrician and her attitude and resistance to any vax questions or requests is very frustrating.

I totally agree that if your ped (or anyone working for you for that matter) doesn't answer a resonable question, then get rid of them! I mean, you are a concerned parent, you have questions about what is being done to your child - that should be applauded, not told to find a new Dr! In the practice we go to, there are several Drs, and there is on in perticular that I just can't stand! I had to go to him once, and he saw that my DD hadn't gotten the chicken pox shot yet, and pretty much just sat there and told me I was stupid for not doing it yet. Now, as I said in a past post, next visit I'm going to do it (it HAS to get done anyway before they go to school), but how DARE anyone tell me that I'm stupid for anything without even discussing it with me and trying to convice me of the pros since he was so pro for it. Anyway, I think everyone should get their kids vaccinated, peroid. If you want to do it in a different cequence, then so be it, just make sure to do it. Its not worth your babys life!

 

[RMulieri]

I totally agree that if your ped (or anyone working for you for that matter) doesn't answer a resonable question, then get rid of them! I mean, you are a concerned parent, you have questions about what is being done to your child - that should be applauded, not told to find a new Dr! In the practice we go to, there are several Drs, and there is on in perticular that I just can't stand! I had to go to him once, and he saw that my DD hadn't gotten the chicken pox shot yet, and pretty much just sat there and told me I was stupid for not doing it yet. Now, as I said in a past post, next visit I'm going to do it (it HAS to get done anyway before they go to school), but how DARE anyone tell me that I'm stupid for anything without even discussing it with me and trying to convice me of the pros since he was so pro for it. Anyway, I think everyone should get their kids vaccinated, peroid. If you want to do it in a different cequence, then so be it, just make sure to do it. Its not worth your babys life!

I totally agree with you and I respect your opinion.Unfortunately, vaccinations have gotten alot of negative press lately.while there is no CLEAR, Conclusive proof that Vaccines cause MR or Autism, there is also NO proof that says they are safe.I fully respect a parents choice.When I ahve my pts parents ask me, I cite studies and tests, but ultimately a parent must make their own informed decision.I work with alot of the Amish who do not vacciante, and I have seen some horrid awful childhood diseases , and even deaths because of them.But it is still their choice as parents.When asked by parents,like I said I give them the info, but also ask them to think very hard about the decision, and make sure they are completely 100% aware and can accept the consequences should they occur.But even then I have parents that choose not to vaccinate.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

I totally agree with you and I respect your opinion.Unfortunately, vaccinations have gotten alot of negative press lately.while there is no CLEAR, Conclusive proof that Vaccines cause MR or Autism, there is also NO proof that says they are safe.I fully respect a parents choice.When I ahve my pts parents ask me, I cite studies and tests, but ultimately a parent must make their own informed decision.I work with alot of the Amish who do not vacciante, and I have seen some horrid awful childhood diseases , and even deaths because of them.But it is still their choice as parents.When asked by parents,like I said I give them the info, but also ask them to think very hard about the decision, and make sure they are completely 100% aware and can accept the consequences should they occur.But even then I have parents that choose not to vaccinate.

 

[Boomer1]

This is a very interesting thread. First, let me say I am from Canada but I'm sure our suggested vaccination schedules are probably much the same. I am a mother of three children 13,12, and 9 and had them all vaccinated. The vaccine for chickenpox was not part of the suggested schedule and all three of my children contracted chickenpox the old fashioned way about one month to two weeks before we went to WDW with them for the first time. ( not all contracted it at the same time - the oldest was first the, the next two within two weeks.) I was lucky enough to have it appear while we were at WDW. I was fortunate that at 33 years of age it wasn't as bad as it could have been. My brother and his wife have chosen not to vaccinate their two children. This winter my father contrated pertussis. What an uproar this caused. Here in our province you can still send your children to school without being vaccinated but you must have a letter stating your reason for objecting to vaccination and also understanding that your children will be unable to attend classes in the event of an outbreak.
I have a degree in Biology and am currently completing a degree in Nursing. I worked for two days in an immunization clinic as part of my training and I'm wondering by splitting their vaccines, how many more injections are the children required to receive?

 

[RMulieri]

This is a very interesting thread. First, let me say I am from Canada but I'm sure our suggested vaccination schedules are probably much the same. I am a mother of three children 13,12, and 9 and had them all vaccinated. The vaccine for chickenpox was not part of the suggested schedule and all three of my children contracted chickenpox the old fashioned way about one month to two weeks before we went to WDW with them for the first time. ( not all contracted it at the same time - the oldest was first the, the next two within two weeks.) I was lucky enough to have it appear while we were at WDW. I was fortunate that at 33 years of age it wasn't as bad as it could have been. My brother and his wife have chosen not to vaccinate their two children. This winter my father contrated pertussis. What an uproar this caused. Here in our province you can still send your children to school without being vaccinated but you must have a letter stating your reason for objecting to vaccination and also understanding that your children will be unable to attend classes in the event of an outbreak.
I have a degree in Biology and am currently completing a degree in Nursing. I worked for two days in an immunization clinic as part of my training and I'm wondering by splitting their vaccines, how many more injections are the children required to receive?

Techinically, none if a parent choose not to vaccinate.But there is MMR, Prevnar,HEp B Varicella,HiB to name a few and some have a series of shots within them, and different schedules.

 

[tlbwriter]

My DD is fully vaccinated but we didn't do it according to schedule. I don't remember how we split it up - I know she received the combo MMR. There was one day where she was scheduled to get 4 or 5 (!) vaccinations and I told my ped that seemed like an awful lot for one day and she said "No problem, we'll do X and Y today and she can come back next month for the others."

Regardless of the issue, any pediatrician (or any doctor, for that matter) who refuses to even discuss that issue with you should be fired. Good for you for standing your ground.

 

[Minniemouse07]

A few things:

1. You do not HAVE to vaccinate in order to attend public school in the US. There are varying levels of exemptions available to all parents. Only two states only have medical exemptions all the others have at least religious if not philosophical too. Oh and many religious exemption laws are written like philosophical ones so check the specific laws for your state.

2. Yes pertussis is on the rise in the US but mostly in the VACCINATED population! My dd contracted pertussis at 4yo after receiving ALL her DTaP shots. We don't know where she got it from ...noone she was regularly exposed to had it. Both my dr and her ped told me that the current vax is becoming less and less effective. I hold very little faith in the current DTaP based on the efficacy rates coupled w/ the high rate of reactions.

3. The MMR and Varicella vaccines are LIVE virus vaccines and you most definitely CAN get measles, mumps, rubella, and chicken pox from them. Newly vaccinated individuals also can "shed" the virus and infect others. A simple google search can be done for more information.

It is perfectly fine if people want to follow the vaccine recommendations and vaccinate their children on schedule.... BUT... it definitely does more harm than good if those that haven't researched vaccines and diseases share inaccurate information!!!

 

[honkytonkmama]

A few things:

1. You do not HAVE to vaccinate in order to attend public school in the US. There are varying levels of exemptions available to all parents. Only two states only have medical exemptions all the others have at least religious if not philosophical too. Oh and many religious exemption laws are written like philosophical ones so check the specific laws for your state.

2. Yes pertussis is on the rise in the US but mostly in the VACCINATED population! My dd contracted pertussis at 4yo after receiving ALL her DTaP shots. We don't know where she got it from ...noone she was regularly exposed to had it. Both my dr and her ped told me that the current vax is becoming less and less effective. I hold very little faith in the current DTaP based on the efficacy rates coupled w/ the high rate of reactions.

3. The MMR and Varicella vaccines are LIVE virus vaccines and you most definitely CAN get measles, mumps, rubella, and chicken pox from them. Newly vaccinated individuals also can "shed" the virus and infect others. A simple google search can be done for more information.

It is perfectly fine if people want to follow the vaccine recommendations and vaccinate their children on schedule.... BUT... it definitely does more harm than good if those that haven't researched vaccines and diseases share inaccurate information!!!

Yes, yes, yes to all of this post. Every parent needs to know what they are putting in their childs body, BEFORE it is done.

 

[Ariel8676]

In the practice we go to, there are several Drs, and there is on in perticular that I just can't stand! I had to go to him once, and he saw that my DD hadn't gotten the chicken pox shot yet, and pretty much just sat there and told me I was stupid for not doing it yet. Now, as I said in a past post, next visit I'm going to do it (it HAS to get done anyway before they go to school), but how DARE anyone tell me that I'm stupid for anything without even discussing it with me and trying to convice me of the pros since he was so pro for it. QUOTE]

Wow do we go to the same practice ..lol I had a similar experience with the oldest Doc in the practice..it was over more than the CP vax, but i held my ground..lol
We delay all of my girls' vax's, i don't agree with the schedule that they have our children on and definitely don't think that they should be getting more than 1 MAYBE 2 vax at a time ans think they should all be spaced out more..and we don't start anything until at least 2 months old. We do not do the Flu vax, the CP we did do, but not at 12 months.
ALso my older girls' (6,5) did receive the MMR (combined, but did it later than "the schedule") and they only recieved 1..here in NJ they have a law called Holly's Law, children entering school do not need an MMR booster if they get a blood titer and it shows they are immune to all three. My 2 1/2 yo dd hasn't even gotten the first MMR yet, and right now maybe has up to her 18 month vax's.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

In the practice we go to, there are several Drs, and there is on in perticular that I just can't stand! I had to go to him once, and he saw that my DD hadn't gotten the chicken pox shot yet, and pretty much just sat there and told me I was stupid for not doing it yet. Now, as I said in a past post, next visit I'm going to do it (it HAS to get done anyway before they go to school), but how DARE anyone tell me that I'm stupid for anything without even discussing it with me and trying to convice me of the pros since he was so pro for it. QUOTE]

Wow do we go to the same practice ..lol I had a similar experience with the oldest Doc in the practice..it was over more than the CP vax, but i held my ground..lol
We delay all of my girls' vax's, i don't agree with the schedule that they have our children on and definitely don't think that they should be getting more than 1 MAYBE 2 vax at a time ans think they should all be spaced out more..and we don't start anything until at least 2 months old. We do not do the Flu vax, the CP we did do, but not at 12 months.
ALso my older girls' (6,5) did receive the MMR (combined, but did it later than "the schedule") and they only recieved 1..here in NJ they have a law called Holly's Law, children entering school do not need an MMR booster if they get a blood titer and it shows they are immune to all three. My 2 1/2 yo dd hasn't even gotten the first MMR yet, and right now maybe has up to her 18 month vax's.

Well... I don't want to say the actual name of the practice.... but the initials are WPP. Its the name of the street..... Any guesses?

 

[Ariel8676]

nope not the same practice..lol...

 

[princessmom29]

I totally agree with you and I respect your opinion.Unfortunately, vaccinations have gotten alot of negative press lately.while there is no CLEAR, Conclusive proof that Vaccines cause MR or Autism, there is also NO proof that says they are safe.I fully respect a parents choice.When I ahve my pts parents ask me, I cite studies and tests, but ultimately a parent must make their own informed decision.I work with alot of the Amish who do not vacciante, and I have seen some horrid awful childhood diseases , and even deaths because of them.But it is still their choice as parents.When asked by parents,like I said I give them the info, but also ask them to think very hard about the decision, and make sure they are completely 100% aware and can accept the consequences should they occur.But even then I have parents that choose not to vaccinate.

There IS proff they are safe. There is a VERY low instance of complication.

A few things:

1. You do not HAVE to vaccinate in order to attend public school in the US. There are varying levels of exemptions available to all parents. Only two states only have medical exemptions all the others have at least religious if not philosophical too. Oh and many religious exemption laws are written like philosophical ones so check the specific laws for your state.

2. Yes pertussis is on the rise in the US but mostly in the VACCINATED population! My dd contracted pertussis at 4yo after receiving ALL her DTaP shots. We don't know where she got it from ...noone she was regularly exposed to had it. Both my dr and her ped told me that the current vax is becoming less and less effective. I hold very little faith in the current DTaP based on the efficacy rates coupled w/ the high rate of reactions.

3. The MMR and Varicella vaccines are LIVE virus vaccines and you most definitely CAN get measles, mumps, rubella, and chicken pox from them. Newly vaccinated individuals also can "shed" the virus and infect others. A simple google search can be done for more information.

It is perfectly fine if people want to follow the vaccine recommendations and vaccinate their children on schedule.... BUT... it definitely does more harm than good if those that haven't researched vaccines and diseases share inaccurate information!!!

Not everything to be found on google is completely accurate. Everything I have read says it is not a live vaccine.

 

[princessmom29]

I checked the CDC website and stand corrected MMR is a live vaccine, but they quote the instance of infection from it as 1 in 10000 or lower, b/c it happens so rarely it is difficult to track stats. I still hold that it is HIGHLY unlikely for a non immunosuppressed child to contract meseals from MMR.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Not everything to be found on google is completely accurate. Everything I have read says it is not a live vaccine.

I mentioned google because it is easily accessible... but when I googled both... one of the links listed was the CDC website w/ the following information:

MMR:

What kind of vaccine is given to prevent measles?
The MMR vaccine prevents measles and two other viral diseases — mumps and rubella. These three vaccines are safe given together. MMR is a attenuated (weakened) live virus vaccine. This means that after injection, the viruses grows, and causes a harmless infection in the vaccinated person with very few, if any symptoms. The person's immune system fights the infection caused by these weakened viruses and immunity develops which lasts throughout that person’s life.

Varicella:

What kind of vaccine is varicella? What is its dosage schedule?
Two varicella virus-containing vaccines are currently licensed for use in the United States. VARIVAX® is the single-antigen varicella vaccine and ProQuad®, or MMRV, is a combination vaccine of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. Both vaccines contain live, attenuated virus. Children 12 months through 12 years of age should receive two 0.5ml doses of varicella-containing vaccine administered subcutaneously, separated by at least 3 months.

I'm assuming that you would consider the CDC website as "accurate?"

 

[sandrajamrock]

kami2199 -
Just read your post regarding your daughter screaming after her Dtap vax, and wanted to let you know that I was concerned about the Dtap and looked into it after hearing many other parents talk about the "dtap cry or scream" ...so I looked it up and came up with this

mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=618983

dont know if the info is correct on the "encephalitic cry" but thought you might want to see what others are saying....hope this doesnt offend or scare you or any others ...im just another concerned parent trying to figure out what it safest for my child. I understand the importance of vaccinations , I just want to be informed of all of the complications that one may get when you choose a paticular vax. If I were to need an important surgery I would want to be informed of any complications thay may arise due to the surgery so why not be informed of complications due to vaccinations...? Just a thought...

 

[princessmom29]

I mentioned google because it is easily accessible... but when I googled both... one of the links listed was the CDC website w/ the following information:

MMR:


Varicella:


I'm assuming that you would consider the CDC website as "accurate?"

You obviously did not see where I checked my facts and corrected myself with an accurate source!!!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

UPDATE - we went to interview a new Pediatrician today (recommended by a neighbor) and DH and I both really liked her. She is pretty young and very soft spoken. Mason warmed up to her immediately too.

She said she has no problem with having a delayed vax schedule and even acknowledged that MMR is the one that worries parents the most. She recommended giving Mason the MMR at 24 months instead of at 12 months. She also confirmed what a PP stated about the individual vax for MMR no longer being readily available. She also made it very clear that she strongly recommends vaccinations BUT that she respects the parent's decisions about this issue and just makes sure that she passes on the information she has and doesn't try to force the issue if the parents are set against it.

We discussed our other concerns with her about scheduling appointments, her on call policy and how her practice handles sick calls and after hours calls. We liked all of her answers and she took plenty of time with us even though we knew she had patients after us. She also answered our questions about Mason's recurrent ear infections and recommended that we see an ENT if we were really concerned about it.

The entire staff was very nice and kept telling us that they hoped we chose their practice. I think we have found our new Ped!