Vaccinations

[blind_otter]

Let me preface this by saying, I don't have an agenda starting this thread. I am definitely NOT against vaccinations.

 

I don't know why, but for some reason this is the hardest thing for me to do. I do a lot of research about all my parenting decisions. I'm just sick over this. It really freaks me out that my son will have to live with consequences of my decisions, and I am constantly worried that I will make the wrong decision and hurt him inextricably.

 

On the one hand, I think that immunizations are important for public health reasons.

 

On the other hand, there are so many side effects, not to mention the sky rocketing rates of chronic illness (http://vaccineawakening.blogspot.com/2007/07/chronic-illness-epidemic-unvaccinated.html) and autism (which has increased exponentially in the last 15 years - http://fightingautism.org/idea/autism.php). But you never know what relates to what. And my son is supposed to receive so many vaccines - many, many more than either I or his father received as infants.

 

I read Dr. Bob Sears' "Vaccine Book", and I've done a lot of web research. I ended up creating an alternative vaccine schedule for my son - one which is designed so that he doesn't get more than 2 vaccines at one time, and each are spaced out over at least 2 months. I also separated the measles, mumps and rubella vaccines and separated each by 6 months.

 

I didn't just randomly pick times out of thin air, I did months of research - but what the heck, I'm not an immunologist, I'm just a concerned parent. He will be current on all vaccines by the time he is school aged, although I have chosen to forgo certain vaccines - the Hepatitis A and B, for example, I feel can wait until he is a teenager. I am still on the fence about the varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine. I survived 3 bouts with chickenpox and I have no scars or permanent issues.

 

My pediatrician has no problem with the schedule I came up with.

 

But, you know, every time an appointment comes around, I still worry for days beforehand. His 4 month appointment today was canceled (for reasons beyond my control), and to be honest I was not upset at being inconvenienced - I was relieved....

[2sure]

I had the same anxiety over the chicken pox shots(did it) and now the cervical cancer vaccination. (Still researching.)

 

Once your child attends school or camp or a sports clinic, you will find it more difficult because many shots are state / federal mandates and you have to have them for admittance regardless of your schedule. I sometimes feel like Im rushed.

[amaysngrace]

I remember I asked the pediatrician if I take the shot and then nurse the baby would that work?

 

He laughed at me.

[IfWishesWereHorses]

I went round and round with this with my youngest. I didn't have the information available to me with my oldest. I cancelled his appt for his first shots. My mother was FURIOUS with me. I went to lunch with a friend instead, picked her up at the doctors office she works at with my new BOJ in tow. She asked how his shots went and I lost it. One of the doctors was standing there (father of DD's best friend) and sat me down in his office, called in the other two doctors (infectious disease) and along with a nurse who was also a new mother, convinced me to go ahead with the immunizations.

 

There wasn't one time that I didn't freak out and lose a lot of sleep after it had been done. All's well though!

 

I hope your plan works well for the two of you!

[amaysngrace]

Yeah I remember the doctor telling me that having the shot is way better than having the illness.

 

Tomorrow my son goes for shots actually. He's eleven and needs them or he will face "expulsion" as the school nurse put it in the letter she sent home to me.

 

He doesn't know yet. He knows he has the appointment but I am letting the nurse or doctor be the bearer of the bad news.

 

As far as he knows it's so he can play baseball on the school team.

[quankanne]

ugh, I feel for you – the closest I got to getting involved with that was caring for my nephews when they were babies and helping my sister at home. The younger boy had gone for his shot (he was just a couple of months old) and they'd burst a blood vessel and that poor child had a HUGE bruise on his little butt ... I just cried looking at it whenever we bathed and diapered him, it just looked so painful.

 

otter, there's a book out by Jenny McCarthy that talks about the vaccine schedule and the problems she had with her little boy. Turns out that his autistic-like problems were (mostly food) allergies that were triggered by the shots; once she figured out his diet, his health improved to a point where he had a way better quality of living than before. I love McCarthy because she's so irreverent, but she really outdid herself with this book with all the effort and research she put into it.

 

anyhow, the book has some really good resources you might find handy.

[hotgurl]

I had my daughter vaccinated. For everything and no ill effects.

 

I don't know I have always felt the risks were minimal and the benefits outweighed the risks.

[JamesM]

Despite all of the concerns, there is little to connect autism to vaccinations. Yet it is great that you do your own research so that you feel as if you chose from an intelligent choice.

 

We had some of the same anxieties and who can blame you? The guilt of a wrong choice will be in front of you for the rest of your life.

 

Yet if you choose not to vaccinate and your baby gets a fatal disease that could have been prevented, would you not feel awful? The odds of this happening are much greater than the odds of possible side effects from the vaccinations.

 

It is important that you feel comfortable with your own choice. Keep up the good work.

 

BTW, we had four children vaccinated with no side effects.

[Meaplus3]

I agree with James 100%

 

I have three kids and NO ill effects.

 

AP:)

[blind_otter]

Yeah, I'm doing the vaccines - just not on the AAP schedule - 5 vaccines all at once seemed way too much. In the Dr. Sears vaccine book he lists the ingredients of all the vaccines made by each of the manufacturers. The good news is that they no longer use mercury, instead they use aluminum in many of them.

 

My older sister's son had a bad reaction to his first vaccine (the pentacel) and showed some developmental delays, so she stopped giving him any. She didn't know which one caused the reaction because he got 5 at the same time. Luckily, he improved after a few months and is as far as I can tell now a normal, happy 8 year old.

 

In Florida you can get a religious exemption from vaccines and still go to public school - but if there is an outbreak of any contagious disease the child has to stay home for 2 weeks.

 

And I know that many babies and children get vaccinated with no ill effects, but there are always those that DO have bad reactions and I can't help but worry myself to death that my son will be one of the one in ten thousand that has seizures or actually contracts the illness FROM the vaccine.

 

It's just a horrible feeling, I lie awake at night thinking about it sometimes. I know that, in the end, part of parenting is just a leap of faith. But it is SO nerve wracking. For some reason, when it was just me I didn't care even a quarter of how much I care for my little boy.

 

But, strangely enough, the circle I move in is extremely granola, if you know what I mean. In fact I don't know anyone who has used drugs during birth and most of the women have homebirths, or go to the birth center where my MIL works as a midwife. Several women I know are either not vaccinating their children until they are over 2 years of age, and some are not vaccinating at all. So I get opposing viewpoints.

[Kenyth]

The sudden surge in Autism is in great part due to changes in standards diagnosing it, and greater education in diagnosing it. At least that was what I read some time back. The link to vaccination is very weak.

 

Remember, most vaccines were considered Godsends when they first came out. They literally saved uncountable lives from the ravages of childhood diseases. If you think the vaccines are bad, you should see the actual diseases! Ouside of horrible deaths and a terribly painful long illness they caused blindness, deafness, paralysis, etc. The benefits of vaccination FAR outweigh the risks. I feel it is a responsibility to vaccinate your child, not an option. Personally, I'm nervous that they don't vaccinate against smallpox anymore. Probably the most horrific disease known to man.

[tanbark813]

But, strangely enough, the circle I move in is extremely granola, if you know what I mean. In fact I don't know anyone who has used drugs during birth and most of the women have homebirths, or go to the birth center where my MIL works as a midwife. Several women I know are either not vaccinating their children until they are over 2 years of age, and some are not vaccinating at all. So I get opposing viewpoints.

 

Don't listen to hippies for medical advice. You know better than that, BO.

[SnapCracklePop]

The sudden surge in Autism is in great part due to changes in standards diagnosing it, and greater education in diagnosing it. At least that was what I read some time back. The link to vaccination is very weak.

 

Remember, most vaccines were considered Godsends when they first came out. They literally saved uncountable lives from the ravages of childhood diseases. If you think the vaccines are bad, you should see the actual diseases! Ouside of horrible deaths and a terribly painful long illness they caused blindness, deafness, paralysis, etc. The benefits of vaccination FAR outweigh the risks. I feel it is a responsibility to vaccinate your child, not an option. Personally, I'm nervous that they don't vaccinate against smallpox anymore. Probably the most horrific disease known to man.

 

 

Great post!

 

Indeed the standards of diagnosis have changed considerably. Years ago, a person would have simply been called 'slow' or some other label.. now they associate it as Autism. This new association of symptoms (and an increasing spectrum of symptoms too) being called Autism now is likely more reponsible for the increase in diagnosed Autism cases.

 

There were other heated threads here about vaccinations and the link you mentioned. Lots of pretty good info and food for thought came from it IMO.

 

If egg allergies are a concern though - do ask your doctor abut the vaccine. Sometimes, egg allergies can cause complications/reactions with vaccines (some are cultured in eggs).

 

http://foodallergies.about.com/od/eggallergies/f/eggsinvaccines.htm

[norajane]

But, strangely enough, the circle I move in is extremely granola, if you know what I mean. In fact I don't know anyone who has used drugs during birth and most of the women have homebirths, or go to the birth center where my MIL works as a midwife. Several women I know are either not vaccinating their children until they are over 2 years of age, and some are not vaccinating at all. So I get opposing viewpoints.

 

B_O, I think you are doing a fantastic thing by doing your research and working closely with your pediatrician. Making informed decisions about your child's health and welfare is the best that you can do.

 

I was a teen when my sister was born, and with immigrant parents with limited English language skills, I took on a big role in my sister's doctor visits and vaccinations. There are very few things as heartbreaking as taking a perfectly healthy baby in to have procedures done, even if you know it's in their best interests. So I feel for you! I used to be the one who cried during vaccinations, not my sister!

 

At the same time, your crunchy granola friends scare the crap out of me. The only reason we have been able to eradicate horrible diseases is because everyone gets vaccinated. The ones who don't are putting not only themselves at risk, but are opening the door to spreading diseases we thought we'd stamped out. You can see the effects in other countries - polio is far from dead, for example.

 

You do what you think is best for your son, but please don't let anyone influence you who is not as well informed as you and your pediatrician.

[lovelorcet]

Don't listen to hippies for medical advice. You know better than that, BO.

 

 

This pretty much sums up this issue...

[Trialbyfire]

blind_otter, here's an article that explains how the fictional relationship between autism and vaccination happened. Conclusions were drawn from a study of 12 children. That's a conclusion reached from anecdoetal evidence, like saying, my family, my friends and myself live in a house, therefore everyone lives in a house...

 

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080201/thimerosal_080202/20080202?hub=Specials

[corazoncito]

I think it's great that you're doing the research on your own and I hear really good things about the Sears book as a starting point. We're expecting our first in a couple of months and this has been a big worry of mine too. I am totally against the idea of no vaccinations at all, but when I saw how the vax schedule has changed since I was a baby, I can understand why some parents worry about it. According to my medical records, I didn't start my vaxes until I was 2 months old and then it was only two at a time. Within a day or two of his birth, typical protocol here will be to give my son a 6-in-1 shot plus another one or two shots. That seems like a lot of new material for a newborn to handle.

 

That said, I think we will end up doing the full course on the standard schedule because we travel quite a bit for work in areas where things like polio and measels are still fairly common. And those are risks I don't want to take. But I think each family needs to consider its own circumstances and there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution.

[MWC_LifeBeginsAt40]

I too was nervous when my babies had their vaccines and no ill effects today. However, my daughter recently had the HPV vaccine at school. I was a bit apprehensive, more due to moral issues. She's 11 and definitely not anywhere near having sex, but I did as most parents do and went along with it.

 

I've always been laid back, and downplayed bad news, and when the school called to tell me she had a seizure after the needle, I was fine until they suggested I take her directly to the walk-in clinic and then I started to shake.

 

She is fine, and they wrote it off to nervousness, and did some tests, but still I don't buy it. She is on vitamins and on a very long waiting list for a pediatrick neurological assessment of some kind - I hear you have to know someone to get in any sooner. But the school won't do her next needle (series of 3) - they suggested I do it at the doctor's office - yeah right!

 

Then I read up on these side effects, and while there are alot of horror stories, it's still pretty rare. Come to think of it, if I had read the horror stories first, and THEN got the phone call, I think I would have been even more of a basket case. I also heard that vaccine is full of Alum. not good.

 

Not to scare anyone but I do think vaccines are better than the disease itself, however I myself will never get a flu shot.

[blind_otter]

The sudden surge in Autism is in great part due to changes in standards diagnosing it, and greater education in diagnosing it. At least that was what I read some time back. The link to vaccination is very weak.

 

Remember, most vaccines were considered Godsends when they first came out. They literally saved uncountable lives from the ravages of childhood diseases. If you think the vaccines are bad, you should see the actual diseases! Ouside of horrible deaths and a terribly painful long illness they caused blindness, deafness, paralysis, etc. The benefits of vaccination FAR outweigh the risks. I feel it is a responsibility to vaccinate your child, not an option. Personally, I'm nervous that they don't vaccinate against smallpox anymore. Probably the most horrific disease known to man.

 

I agree...for the most part. But come on, chickenpox is NOT a horrific disease. Rotavirus causes diarrhea, but is only fatal in third world countries. And why does a newborn need a hepatitis vaccine?

[Ariadne]

I am still on the fence about the varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine. I survived 3 bouts with chickenpox and I have no scars or permanent issues.

 

I gave this to my son and it was the best thing.

 

There was a time that most the kids in the building had chickenpox and he was spared.

[Ariadne]

And why does a newborn need a hepatitis vaccine?

 

I agree, those are probably better for teens, and the chickenpox one for school aged children.

[BannaBee57]

But come on, chickenpox is NOT a horrific disease.

 

I think the varicella vaccine is not so much about the chickenpox. It's more to avoid getting shingles as an older adult, which can be pretty horrific.

 

The chickenpox virus manifests into shingles in the elderly and immunocompromised people several years after the person had chicken pox.

 

It causes the most horrible nerve pain that can go on for years.

[Kenyth]

I think the varicella vaccine is not so much about the chickenpox. It's more to avoid getting shingles as an older adult, which can be pretty horrific.

 

The chickenpox virus manifests into shingles in the elderly and immunocompromised people several years after the person had chicken pox.

 

It causes the most horrible nerve pain that can go on for years.

 

 

All of the Herpes type viruses (Chickenpox, cold sores, genital hepes, etc.) hide forever in your nervous system, ready to come out and wreak chaos if your immune system should weaken or fail. A lot of people don't know that. Some actually think (like the cold sore virus) there may be a lot more people actually infected with genital hepes, but their immune system completely suppresses it. The GH virus itself is impossible to discern from the cold sore virus by testing. Anyway, that's beside the point. Vaccines allow you build up an immunity without first being infected.

[BannaBee57]

The GH virus itself is impossible to discern from the cold sore virus by testing.

 

No it's not.

 

Doctors can tell through blood testing if you have HSV1 or 2 (both can be genital of facial). However, if you have never had an outbreak they would not know whether it's on your face or your genitals.

 

A swab of an outbreak can also tell a doctor what type a person has.

 

Anyway to keep it on topic, I heard on the news a while back that labs are coming closer to creating a vaccine for HSV1. I guess for some it's a lot worse than an occasional cold sore, some people have horrible outbreaks all over there face, etc. Also, the rise in genital infections is surprising doctors, not to mention occular herpes and encephalitis.

 

I don't have kids, but I think if and when I do I'll be a lot like you BO. I like your idea of creating an alternative schedule. I think you're making good choices for your little boy

[milvushina]

Hep B seems like an adult disease but it was more common in children before the vaccine. It is much more devastating to small children than adults. In 1991 the CDC started a campaign for infant hep B vaccination and it has declined in children ever since.

 

A combined vaccine is arguably better than single shots but single shots are way better than no shots. If your doc says it's ok I'm sure it is. (Of course.. more sticks for the little one). I like to get it all over with at once. He seems a little cranky after shots.

 

That said it is up to us as parents to do our own research because we are the ones that have to weigh the various risks for them! Your son is lucky to have such a thoughtful mom.

 

Personally I think vaccines are one of the best things you can do for a baby. My son goes to the dr. today and he's getting all his 6-month shots including the combined shot, his final (third) Hep B and the flu shot. It is crazy to think how many shots he has already had. Way more than me when I was a baby. It is also amazing to think how many diseases he already has some protection against. I am proud to say he has not gotten sick yet, except for a rash.