Need Advice About Immunizations........

Kudos to you for being concerned about vaccinations! There is a great book to read called, "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations" by Stephanie Cave, M.D.

That book guided my gut instinct to not vaccinate my kids on the regular schedule. We went thru 3 pediatricians before we found someone who was open to our concerns. (Dr. Paul Thomas at Westside Pediatrics, he's actually reviewed on Mamasource!) Even then, we disagreed and he did pressure me to vaccinate my 6 month old son with 2 shots...long story short, my son had a very high fever (considered normal!!) and was lethargic, unresponsive and wouldn't nurse for almost 24 hours. Needless to say, I stood my ground and didn't allow anymore vaccinations until earlier this summer when I had him get his tetnus shot (he was 19 months old) He did great that time!

I didn't vaccinate my daughter until she was 2 and then I only allowed her one shot at a time and I insisted on seperate shots (no combos like MMR or DTaP) at least a month apart. Then, instead of following up with numerous boosters, we had a blood test done to check for titers. She only needed 2 polio vaccinations, not 4 and she was protected from Pertusis after only 3 shots, not 4.

Read the book, it's very eye-opening. I wish I had a magic schedule for you, but honestly, we are winging it. Now that my kids are older (4 years and 2 years) I am more comfortable with them getting vaccinations, but I still insist on one at a time at least a month apart. Compared to their cousins, who were all vaccinated on schedule, my kids have been healthier, not a single trip to the emergency room, our only trips to the doctor have been for well-baby checks. I don't really do anything special food wise; both kids take vitamins and I limit their dairy and wheat due to allergies. If they are getting a cold or are teething I give them a naturpathic remedy called Children's Glycerite. We get it from our naturpath. It works great, I even travel with it to prevent colds.

In Oregon, the law says you can decline vaccinations based on religous belief. All you need to do is sign the paper your school will give you to document vaccinations. (they need that record for their accredidation)I signed it because my 4 year old isn't officially up to date on her vaccinations yet.

Good luck and follow your gut!

Hi,
The State of Oregon requires a certain about of immunizations for school and daycare unless you homeschool or have a private daycare giver. I waited until my son began school for immunizations. My daughters received all of their immunizations on schedule. All three are healthy happy adults...as are my gandchildren, ages 16, 14 and 5 who have had scheduled, required immunizations. I do know that sometimes children who are not immunized and are in the public contact diseases they might not catch if immunized. You can sign "Religious Exempt" if you do not want to immunize BUT...you are at risk of exposing your child to disease. Personally, I would not take a chance. I have not seen any child with sever allergies to immunizations, but know this has happened. I am in my 10th year at an elementary school with nearly 700 students ages (roughly) 5 through 11. I have worked with this age children for over 18 years. I have not seen problems with immunizations. I understand the attempted link to autism and other illnesses, but if my child had a healthy immune system and all health risks were aside, I would immunize.

I had to just put in my two cents on this one. One is that your pediatrician may not be open to you forgoing shots but putting them off, or not doing all of them at once should be an option for you. My pediatrician took out one shot that my daugher seemed more sensitive to (it was a booster), and both my children have been as far as 6-8 months behind on their shots. I think the usual 3-4 shots at a time is excessive and have cut it down to 2 if they are not time sensitive.
The other thought is...your infant is less likely to be tramatised by the shots then your toddler. And they do NEED these shots. Most of them prevent nasty illnesses and the only reason you never hear of it is because they have been immunized. Its not gone, and third world countries still suffer and loose children over them. they wont even be allowed in school without them. I had to go get some shot in 8th grade just because we couldnt find proof I had had it before (we'd just moved). Your infant recovers faster as well. I know my son who is 2 is more aware, and will ask ever time I go to the doctor if I had to get shots, while my baby girl (1yr) just happily goes along with it and doesnt remember that the last time she was in that office she got owies. So better to get the majority of them out of the way while they are still young enough to forget.
I always give tylonol in the Dr office just before shots and have a sucker ready for after.

I am the one who just push my schedule back for immunizations with my daughter Helen.
I let her have the first one they wanted to give her at birth at the two week check. I then asked for a print out of the regularly scheduled immunizations. I only kicked the schedule back by three months because my daughter stopped breast feeding at 6 months (not my choice). I figured when she stopped getting immunity through me she would need the shots. For me it worked perfectly. I have the healthiest kid I know of in my large moms group. We get together for play group weekly amd Mom's Night Out (MNO) about once a month and I get to hear about every one elses kid sickness problems. I feel blessed every time, since I have no such problems. I despise constatly snotty noses and am happy to tell you Helen never had that problem either. Your doctor has to respect your decisions weather they like it or not(you can sue them for malpractice) if they don't. Make sure everything is explained to you so you understand it comfortably and read everything before you sign. You have to sign papers befor each immunization. Hope this helps. If you want to talk more call me ###-###-####. H.