Vaccinations

[JeepGirl6]

How many of you have or have had your child's vaccinations split up?

How many of your child get them all at once?

My son will be 3 months old this Sunday. His Dr. wanted him to get 5 shots last month at one appt. I thought it seemed to me so much on a little baby so I asked to have them split up. I have to go back every month now until he is about 9 months old since I want to have them split up.

He had to get 3 yesterday to catch up from his 2 month appt. We thought he was going in for 2 shots but he had to get caught up on his Hepatitis B vaccine since he had the first one in the hospital.

You hear about the possibility of vaccinations causing autism and that just worries me. Our Dr. said that it couldn't be proven.

I think about all that medicine going in my little guy. Its so much on his little body.

Maybe I am just being paranoid.

[dbslas]

I am all for splitting them up! I don't understand the push to have so much jammed into them at once.

[TwinKristi]

Yes we split them up as well. I didn't do any at 2 mos, did 1 at 4mos, 2 at 6mos, 2 at 9 mos, and that's it so far. He's had his HIB and Prevnar completed but that's it and our Ped was ok with that. Pertussis isn't as rampant as it was a few years ago. I did the normal timeline with my other kids just because I didn't know better but there weren't even as many then as now and we didn't do the hep B at birth with our youngest. It wasn't given at birth prior to 2007-2008 I believe? The youngest before my last was 2005 so it wasn't offered.

[Angelsj]

First of all, he doesn't HAVE to do anything. You can choose an alternative schedule. The only issue is having shots too close to each other, being further apart does not necessarily cause an issue.

Secondly, the best thing you can do for your child is research. Look at what they want, and the diseases they want it for. Look at the "recommended" distance for each immunization (not shot, some shots immunize for more than one thing) and what is actually a good separation for each immunization.

Go into every appointment armed with what YOU have decided your child will have at that appointment and demand it be met. If you have good information and a clear picture of what you want to happen, you will get a lot less flack from the staff and the doctor.
NOT saying you should do this, you should research for yourself, but we didn't even begin immunization until my kids were over a year. Point being you can decide what you want to happen.

I will caution you, however, that anything you decide NOT to immunize against or to hold off on, know that disease, its symptoms and the dangers. The more you know what you are talking about, the safer your child will be, either from immunizations or from the diseases.

[EchoMom]

I followed Dr. Sears delayed vaccine schedule. I've been happier and more comfortable following that schedule, although it is much more work with a tiny baby because you do have to go in every month instead of every other month at first.

However, now in hindsight, my DS is 2 years old and it's much much easier. He only gets shots every 6 months. He never did get a Hep B in the hospital or at all yet.

I agree, it just seems like too much at once. However, will I do the delayed schedule again if I have another child? Probably, but POSSIBLY not... but it's a strong probability that I will do delayed again.

[dingledine]

I got all of my first childs done all at once. Co-incidence or not, he has attention issues, dyspraxia, etc. He also got over vaccinated for Polio. He also has allergies and got sick all of the time.

I got my second childs delayed, and I only picked and choose DTaP. He has a great immune system, almost never gets sick, is very bright, but has some sensory disorders.

I got my third child delayed, and picked DTaP when she was older as well. She has a pretty good immune system, and no behavior or otherwise issues at this point.

I don't know if it is co-incidence or not, but that is my personal experience.

[Cradle2crayons]

My 10 year old daughter developed a seizure disorder after her 18 month MMR and now is never allowed to have another one. The seizures did eventually go away. But after that vax, she was diagnosed with ADHD, spd, and several other things including asthma. Her immune system is not good and she's spent most of her x10 years sick with something. We have no history if any of it in either family so all of it came as a complete shock to us.

My 5 year old we delayed his vax. Never seen a more healthy child.

My take?? SOME children have something in their genetic makeup that can't tolerate all the chemicals and over vax. Not all kids. But some kids. Just like every kid is different. Those kids that have X makeup, develop issues afterwards. Most don't. But there's just no way to predict it. And we may never be able to.


The fact that the lady in charge of the MS department of health didn't dispute or seem at all shocked by what happened with us, concerns me. She is he one who, even with our states strict vax laws, insisted my daughter could never have any of the components of the MMR ever again. But she DID say, what happened to my daughter was DEFINATELY NOT an allergic type reaction to it.

[Unregistered]

I have delayed my daughter's. I do not believe they cause autism, I just feel like it's a lot of chemicals at one time in her little body. I've looked at the side effects of the vaccines compared to the risks of the diseases themselves to make my decisions.

I work in the mental health/intellectual disabilities field. I've worked with many a family that believed vaccines caused their child's issues, but I've also seen individuals that are disabled due to a bad bout of measles or other childhood disease. I have one client who was bit by a horse and got equine herpes and ended up severely disabled. I guess anything can happen, but chances are honestly super slim. I'm going to end up getting everything (except chicken pox), but probably right before school begins.

[Angelsj]

My take?? SOME children have something in their genetic makeup that can't tolerate all the chemicals and over vax. Not all kids. But some kids. Just like every kid is different. Those kids that have X makeup, develop issues afterwards. Most don't. But there's just no way to predict it. And we may never be able to.


The fact that the lady in charge of the MS department of health didn't dispute or seem at all shocked by what happened with us, concerns me. She is he one who, even with our states strict vax laws, insisted my daughter could never have any of the components of the MMR ever again. But she DID say, what happened to my daughter was DEFINATELY NOT an allergic type reaction to it.

I agree, but I think it is more than any of the medical community likes to admit. And we are not talking about just developmental delays, though I believe that link (though anecdotal) exists for a reason. Perhaps kids who are already prone to developmental delays react more to the immunizations? But we are also seeing steep rises in childhood cancers, asthma, spd, etc, etc...

I also often wonder about cumulative effects. The added effect of having vaccinated several generations. It may not have a direct connection, but what about my MOTHER being immunized, then ME being immunized, then my child...could that be affecting our kids?
My theory stems more from the fact that we did delay, and I still have four on the spectrum, so I don't think there is a direct connection. I also saw signs in two of them LONG before they ever had any shots.

Regardless, I just agree with that being a LOT of chemicals in a very short time. My kids have most of the vaccinations, it just took a lot longer for them to get them, and they are physically healthy as horses. My 12 yo dd has had ONE round of antibiotics in her entire life, and that was for a tick bite.
However, your lady isn't shocked because of the huge numbers they see. This is a voluntary database, but it is huge. And for all the reports that are minimal, there are dozens of reactions that never get reported.

[Willow]

For the most part I did them altogether but do remember opting out of ones like annual flu vaccines. I fell behind occasionally but that usually wasn't intentional.

My son is now 9. No ear infections, no hospitalizations, has only been on antibiotics once for a bad bout with bacterial bronchitis or some such thing. Started kindy just 3 weeks after he turned 5, has always been evaluated as above grade level, no social, developmental or learning disabilities/delays.

Daughter is 10 1/2. Had a vp shunt placed at 15 months, removed at age 8 (due to hydrocephalus/faulty csf ventricle "flow" but it's something she grew out of). Other than that never a single ear infection, hospitalization outside of shunt placement and removal and she has never been on antibiotics. She has/had dylexia (genetic) but has near completely overcome it with Susan Barton method tutoring. She has no social, developmental or learning disabilities/delays.

I do not attribute her hydrocephalus or dyslexia to her vaccinations.


I credit their health to breastfeeding (not extended), attachment parenting (it's been long since proven that children who feel loved, nurtured and safe being cared for the first three years in a consistent environment by a consistent attentive caregiver remain healthier) and me staying home with them which gave me the opportunity to get them out and challenge their immune systems in a reasonable way.



Vaccines do NOT cause autism. That said you need to do what you feel comfortable with as a parent at the end of the day. There are potentially fatal risks both ways you go. The question I asked myself was, "If I don't do these vaccines and my child dies a horrific death from a preventable disease will I be able to survive not only the grief but also the guilt?" On the flip side I asked myself "If I do sign the consent form to authorize all these vaccines and there is some kind of reaction or long term consequence will I be able to survive not only the grief but also the guilt?"

For me I chose to consent because it was a choice made in the name of protecting their health long term and I just didn't see choosing *not* vaccinating in thst same light despite all the research I did supporting both options.

It's an INSANELY personal choice, and one that should be protected and respected as a parents and a parents alone.

[Willow]

Angelsj - not arguing with you that vaccinations are a lot for a little body to handle, but so is just the air they breathe nowdays. The unregulated, unstudied polluted air we all breathe everyday is a far bigger concern to me for my children than regulated, studied and controlled vaccinations are......the processed foods they eat, the chemicals in the containers they eat out of, the chemicals in the toys they play with, the chemicals in their clothing, bedding and detergents both are washed in, virus/bacteria mutations due to antibiotic and sanitation over use/abuse creating these drug resistant super bugs etc etc etc into infinity.

Vaccines are one of the least of my concerns in regards to everything else they're exposed to on a daily basis......just to offer additional perspective of course.


The odds of a child being severely injured/killed in a car accident are far greater than those of a child having an adverse reaction to a vaccination. People don't let that stop them from loading their children up and taking the risk every single day, so it's really hard for me to understand the double standard even after considering all the worst case scenaio research I've done.

[Cradle2crayons]

Angelsj - not arguing with you that vaccinations are a lot for a little body to handle, but so is just the air they breathe nowdays. The unregulated, unstudied polluted air we all breathe everyday is a far bigger concern to me for my children than regulated, studied and controlled vaccinations are......the processed foods they eat, the chemicals in the containers they eat out of, the chemicals in the toys they play with, the chemicals in their clothing, bedding and detergents both are washed in, virus/bacteria mutations due to antibiotic and sanitation over use/abuse creating these drug resistant super bugs etc etc etc into infinity.

Vaccines are one of the least of my concerns in regards to everything else they're exposed to on a daily basis......just to offer additional perspective of course.

The odds of a child being severely injured/killed in a car accident are far greater than those of a child having an adverse reaction to a vaccination. People don't let that stop them from loading their children up and taking the risk every single day, so it's really hard for me to understand the double standard even after considering all the worst case scenaio research I've done.

Don't forget the tap water. I hate tap water.

[Willow]

Don't forget the tap water. I hate tap water.

It's easy to go on for days.....and scary that while researching the safety of vaccines is important, parents today aren't at all considering all the other chemicals their children are exposed to every single day that could have just as many if not more devastating effects than jabs meant to protect do.

[Leigh]

It's easy to go on for days.....and scary that while researching the safety of vaccines is important, parents today aren't at all considering all the other chemicals their children are exposed to every single day that could have just as many if not more devastating effects than jabs meant to protect do.

[Angelsj]

Angelsj - not arguing with you that vaccinations are a lot for a little body to handle, but so is just the air they breathe nowdays. The unregulated, unstudied polluted air we all breathe everyday is a far bigger concern to me for my children than regulated, studied and controlled vaccinations are......the processed foods they eat, the chemicals in the containers they eat out of, the chemicals in the toys they play with, the chemicals in their clothing, bedding and detergents both are washed in, virus/bacteria mutations due to antibiotic and sanitation over use/abuse creating these drug resistant super bugs etc etc etc into infinity.

Vaccines are one of the least of my concerns in regards to everything else they're exposed to on a daily basis......just to offer additional perspective of course.


The odds of a child being severely injured/killed in a car accident are far greater than those of a child having an adverse reaction to a vaccination. People don't let that stop them from loading their children up and taking the risk every single day, so it's really hard for me to understand the double standard even after considering all the worst case scenaio research I've done.

No doubt that other things also cause issues, from fluoride in our water, to garbage in our food, and chemicals in our air, it is just that this thread was discussing vaccinations. I just see no harm whatsoever in slowing down that dosing schedule and allowing some time between all that crap going into their little systems.
For the record, though, I do not consider choosing not to vaccinate or to put some off, and driving with my kids in the car to be a double standard. I also use car seats and careful driving to minimize the chance of an accident, exactly the way I use an extended schedule to minimize risk of vaccine damage. Same concept.

One thing I have an issue with though.. we CANNOT say that "Vaccines do NOT cause autism." We can say that no link has been found. We can say that we do not believe autism is caused by vaccines. But we cannot make a definitive statement like that. Science and medicine are an ever changing world. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

I do absolutely agree, however, with that last statement. It is an insanely personal choice. You are comfortable with yours; I am comfortable with mine. OP, you must be comfortable with your decisions. Only you know what you can live with and where you fall on this concept. No one decision is right for everyone.

I also agree, Willow with all the other ideas about keeping kids healthy. Breast feeding, exposure to germs without dipping them in it, being home when they need you, loving and nurturing them, feeding them good homemade food. All of those things do wonders to build those little people into healthy children.