Vaccine Flexible Pediatrician

I am not sure his full stance on vaccines, but I use Dr. Aaron Henley with Milestones Pediatric in Tulsa. I can always get my son seen quickly any time he is sick and he doesn't push antibiotics and medications when not necessary. He is a younger pediatrician and seems to stay more updated on newer trends. If you do not have any other suggestions, you might try him. His phone number is ###-###-#### and his website is www.milestonespc.com. I hope your little ones start feeling better soon!

I'm confused. You also have a post stating that your baby just got out of the hospital having had whooping cough and your toddler also had whooping cough. Were they not treated by a pediatrician? If he made you feel bad about vaccines, why wouldn't he. If your babies had had their pertussis vaccine they would likely have not gotten whooping cough.

My daughter is having a flexible vaccine schedule with her daughter's pediatrician. I'm not against that. I don't know at what age the pertussis vaccine is given. My intent is not to criticize. I'm just confused.

I'm also suggesting that if the pediatrician who is treating your children for whooping cough is questioning your decision that is good and you might consider expressing your concerns with him so that the two of you can work this out.

L. S. -

Not in your area, but I have a different take on the question. You are the parent. You get to dictate what is or isn't injected into your child. If you opt to do a delayed schedule communicate your needs. Let the doctor say what they will, and let their words roll off your back. It should really be a winning arrangement from their perspective as they get more visits and more co-pays.

Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.

I have had to go to the county health office to do a delayed vax.... i cant find a ped that will do it. You just have to stay on top of what she has received and what she still needs. They also weren't on board but they dont argue and were willing to work with me. Good luck.

Most peds in our area will respect your wishes for delayed vaccine schedules. It is their job, however, to inform you of the risks. If that makes you feel bad, just remember it's their job to inform.

However, it sounds like you have a real reason to delay, so just tell your ped this. (And try not to sound so defensive with your doc. It will probably just put them on the defensive as well.)

Regarding whooping cough, the problem isn't that the vaccine isn't effective, it's that its efficacy reduces faster than expected. Those with the vaccines, even if they catch it, tend to get a milder version. You are correct that it is often adults and older kids, for whom the vaccine is not as effective anymore, that tend to spread whooping cough. This is because the vaccine still protects them from getting the really horrible symptoms, so they don't know that's what they have and they continue to go out in the world spreading the germs around. Herd immunity and getting up-to-date on the vaccine earlier (getting boosters) would help this and provide more protection to infants younger than 6 months old and other kiddos who can't get the shot (for various reasons).