I'm looking for resources to guide me wisely and cautiously through delayed vaccines for a two year old and three year old.
Thanks!
A.:
I didn't use a specific resource. I told my pediatrician that I did NOT want shots done 4 and 5 at a time. We would space them out over a week or even a month to check for reactions and the like.
Your pediatrician should, like ours, let you lead the way in vaccinations. Talk to them and see what you can break down and how they will do it with you.
We've followed the Dr. Sears alternate schedule as well (with a little modification) so far, so good. Our doctor knows we are selective about our vaccines and supports us, she's great. We do one at a time with all of them. The Vaccine book by Dr. Sears was a great resource for me - good information without being biased. Highly recommended.
It's different for each child....and how their reaction was to each vaccine. Some parents do a partially alternative schedule and others pick and choose which one their kids might actually *need* and yet others will stop early or start late. It's impossible for you to go off of another's schedule. Look at the potential risks for each disease. For example:
Do your kids engage in unprotected sex or share needles with druggies? No? Then the Hep B might not be one you'd inject. Find out about each disease and find out what their actual risk is, rather than being feared into them. Know how long the vaccine might infer immunity. I think the Hep B is 5-10 years, so the potential immunity might wane by the time they are 8. Are they at risk by then? Maybe start that vaccine at 11? Not a 2?
http://www.hepb.org/hepb/transmission.htm
Each week learn about a new disease and do your research and decide for the health of YOUR child.
http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/vaccines/american-academ...
http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/vaccines/alternative-vac...
My daughter runs a HIGH (around 103) fever w/every shot. I am not exaggerating. She gets one shot at a time and we are selective with the ones we give. My number one recommendation is to find a pediatrician who is supportive and knowledgable in this area. He/she can guide you through the process and arm you with information and resources.
I used a modified Sears schedule. I bought The Vaccine Book as a guideline and discussed each series with my child's doctor. I very much think you can find and need a supportive pediatrician. MANY parents are doing this so this should not be an unusual request.
Some we did on time and some we did not. We did international travel, so she got her MMR "on schedule", but for a while there we were doing nurse visits every month to stretch them out. Kids these days get 2 shots but 7 vaccines. It's kind of overwhelming. I feel happy with my choice and DD has no ill effects. There were a few (I think tetanus) where she had a mild reaction and I was glad that it had been the only one that round. Mostly just skin irritation and a little grumpiness. Tetanus hurts anyway.
I don't follow a specific schedule. With my two boys it has been painfully slow getting all vaccines. My middle guy was completely vaccinated by the time he turned 4. So a 4 year period to get them all in. My almost 2 year old gets one shot at a time so if there is a reaction I'll know exactly which one caused it. So far no issues.
I follow Dr Sears - "The Vaccine Book"
