Pediatrician Anti-vaccines??

Others ave given you the two others I know about. W e use Karen Federici in genoa. She is family practice and does deliveries as well

Hi B.-you can also check referral websites such as www.hpakids.org, www.holisticmoms.org and www.organicconsumersalliance.com (I am not sure if that is the right website but just google it if it is not--they have a state by state listing and then you enter your zip)--they have all listings of doctors that practice natural medicine.

Are you also familiar with vaclib.org

For those of us not vaccinating they have great info!!

cheers
T.
Detox Coach

I go to a practice called Home First. They have an office in Naperville and another in Orland Park. Not sure if that is close enough for you. They are anti-vaccine (but do offer them) and pro natural medicine. They do physician attended home births too. Great thing is that they are a family practice so the whole family can see them. I love them! Not a huge fan of Dr. Rosi, but many people love him. Try Dr. Zumhagen or Schattauer.

Go to homefirst.com for phone numbers and addresses.

Hmm, after reading your post more carefully, it sounds like they might be who you go to already.

Hello, I have a great pediatrician, but he is out of Naperville, not sure if that is too far for you. His name is Michael Fitzgerald and is in the 100 Spalding building next to Edward Hospital. From day one, I have not had my son vaccinated and my Dr has been very good about my wishes. He does ask if I decline each time we go for a check up, but he never ever pressures me about it. If you want the number to his practice, please let me know! I agree completely about not vaccinated young children especially early in life when their bodies are still developing.

I can tell you to definitely avoid Dr. Aschinberg! They will give antibiotics for everything even if they have no idea what is wrong with the child. That is the worst doctor's office I have ever been to. Good luck in your search.

My 18 month daughter goes to Homefirst in Orland Park.

Check out Homefirst. The doctor I'm seeing there (Dr. Rosi in Arlington Heights) applauds my decision not to vaccinate. It's refreshing!

I was reading your response to everyone else's and it has helped me with my own decision, not to vaccinate my last child. I vaccinated my other children but my three year old, has always gotten sick. I am so tired of it! I was wondering if you could possibly let me know any information on building a stronger immune system. I would greatly appreciate any help.

I.

I know you didn't ask, but I feel strongly about the need to vaccinate. Children died in great numbers in the 20th century from diseases we can now prevent with vaccines, and I would hate to see scourges like mumps or polio make a comeback. For those concerned about autism risks, a recent study showed that there is no connection. And vaccine makers have done all they can to minimize additives.

For more information, see the FAQs posted from the CDC below or visit their Web site.

Why should young children be vaccinated?
Infants and children need to be vaccinated because they are more likely to develop complications or die from vaccine-preventable diseases. Immunization is one of the most important things a parent can do to protect their children’s health. Today we can protect children from 14 serious diseases. Failure to vaccinate may mean putting children at risk for serious diseases.

Are vaccines safe?
Vaccines are very safe and effective. Like any other medicine, they can occasionally cause mild reactions like a sore arm or a slight fever. Serious reactions are very rare. The important thing to remember is that getting the diseases is much more dangerous than getting the vaccine.

When should my child’s vaccines begin?
The first vaccine, for Hepatitis B, is given at birth. Most vaccines are given before children are two years old, but they will need more vaccines before starting school, and as they get older. The ages at which vaccines are recommended are chosen to give children the earliest and best protection against diseases.

Why do infants and young children need so many shots?
Infants and young children are most at risk for disease. However, their immune systems can handle multiple vaccines at once. Currently there are 14 potentially serious diseases that vaccines protect against: Bacterial Meningitis, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Measles, Mumps, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Pneumococcal disease, Polio, Rubella (German Measles), Tetanus (Lockjaw), Rotavirus, and Varicella (Chickenpox). At least one vaccine is needed for each of these diseases, and for some several doses are required for the best protection. Several “combination vaccines” exist in which multiple vaccines are given in a single shot, reducing the number of shots needed.

What would happen if my child didn’t get these shots?
Basically, one of two things could happen:

1. If your child were to go through life without ever being exposed to any of these diseases, nothing would happen. The chance of them never being exposed to a vaccine-preventable disease is rare.
2. If your child were exposed to any of these diseases, there is a good chance they would get the disease. Your child could get mildly ill and have to stay inside for a few days or could get very sick and have to be hospitalized. At the very worst, your child could die.

In addition, your child could spread the disease to other children and adults who are not immune. Some people such as those being treated for cancer, have little or no immunity. When there are enough unprotected people in a community, the result can be a cluster of disease spreading through the community.

What are my child’s chances of being exposed to these diseases?
Some of these diseases are very rare in the United States today, so the chances of exposure are small. However, these diseases may be common in other parts of the world, and are only a plane ride away. Other diseases are still fairly common in the U.S. Don’t assume your child is completely safe from any of these diseases, even the rare ones.

Do vaccines always work?
Vaccines work most of the time. Most infant immunizations give immunity to 90%-99% of the children who get them. But occasionally a child will not respond to certain vaccines. A child who has not responded to vaccination has to depend on the immunity of others for protection. Children who haven’t been vaccinated could infect your child, but not one who has been successfully immunized.

What if my child didn’t start his shots on time, or gets behind schedule? Will they still work?
To give your child the best protection, be sure to immunize on time. Most vaccines can be given at any age, and an infant who has fallen behind does not have to start over. The vaccines already given will still count, and the child will still develop immunity. Talk to the doctor about how to stay on schedule to insure the best protection for your child.

Are vaccines expensive?
If you go to a private doctor, vaccines might be covered by your health insurance. A program called “Vaccines for Children” (VFC) provides vaccines at no cost for children who are enrolled in Medicaid, don't have health insurance, or who are American Indian or Alaska Native. VFC may cover your child if your health insurance does not cover vaccines; you can take your child to a federally qualified health center or a rural health clinic. You may have to pay a small fee for the nurse to give the vaccine.

Where can I get more information?
Talk with your health care provider or call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) INFO Contact Center at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636). You can also go to the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines .

Try Homefirst Health Services. They are wonderful there and educate families about vaccinating. You choose what vaccines, if any, that you want to be given to your child. Try their website for locations. They are located in several Chicago suburbs. I go to the Rolling Meadows location. www.homefirst.com

Just curious, but what will you do when your child is ready to go to school which require that children be vaccinated? Will you home school?

J. - future mother of twins

Just a personal note. . . When you plan on sending your child to school? They WILL need those vaccinations. Even if your child is healthy, many of the ones' in school are either foreign or carry other diseases.

Wanna see something REALLY disturbing? Check this one out....IF everyone knew what is going on, they'd be crying to think how kids are getting sick these days....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCt8TYNRvrQ&feature=re...

I went to Robert Kennedy Jr website and read the article...and this was the most disturbing part of it all......

n 1977, a Russian study found that adults exposed to much lower concentrations of ethylmercury than those given to American children still suffered brain damage years later. Russia banned thimerosal from children's vaccines 20 years ago, and Denmark, Austria, Japan, Great Britain and all the Scandinavian countries have since followed suit.

"You couldn't even construct a study that shows thimerosal is safe," says Haley, who heads the chemistry department at the University of Kentucky. "It's just too darn toxic. If you inject thimerosal into an animal, its brain will sicken. If you apply it to living tissue, the cells die. If you put it in a petri dish, the culture dies. Knowing these things, it would be shocking if one could inject it into an infant without causing damage."

Aother option ... time consuming yes, but a possibility ...
If you want to stay in a traditional pediatric setting, is to set up a couple interviews with a couple different doctor offices - go ask them questions.
I am currently apart of a very traditional, pro-vaccine pediatric group that we ended up switching to when baby#2 was born (long story won't go into it).
I have chosen to do some vaccines and not others. Before we started there I met with one of the docs in the group, went over my beliefs, listened to their philosophy, asked if I chose to not vaccinate or limit them if that would get in the way of our caring for my children and although I was met with much disapproval, I can't say I've been bamboozled or slighted for my choices. (ya just gottat put on the "big girl" pants a couple times)
I HAVE figured out which phys. in the group are more open and tolerant to our choices and will schedule appts specifically with those docs.
It's a bit of a minefield, but it sounds like you've done your research, and you most likely won't be the first to stand up to the doc if you get in that situation.

Good luck ...

You do not need to use a ped. just because you have a baby. You can use a family practice doctor. When my son was born we were already using Dr. Robin Purdy D.O in Woodstock. Our son is now 18 and he still is using Dr. Purdy as his primary doctor. When our son was little we choose to give shots but as we because more informed we chose not to give shots for 5th, or high school. 5th grade he was at a Christian school but when he chose to go to a public high school we have to sign a form saying were did not get shots for religious reasons. So try a family practice D.O. instead of an M.D.

S.