I'll tell you where I stand: I am vaccinating my kids. But that's not to say I'm not keeping myself informed about the issue. I love my pediatricians, and I trust them completely, but they are definitely of the "vaccines aren't proven to cause autism or anything else" variety. That may be true, but they also haven't been entirely ruled out either.
After doing a ton of reading about it over the last year, here's what I'm thinking. I don't want any vaccines with thimerisol in them. Most vaccines are thimerisol-free, but from what I understand, the flu shot still contains it. (And all four of us had that shot last year...this year I'm going to ask for Flu Mist, which is thimerisol-free.) Also, if I can stand my ground in the face of an annoyed pediatrician, I'm only going to allow the babies one vaccine per month. They have a 15-month check-up on Friday, so I think I'm going to call the office to see what's on the agenda for them. If there's more than one, I'm going to ask that they only receive one. I've asked Michael and my mom to back me up on this one (my mom because she is the one that goes to the twins' appointments with me) even though I don't think they feel nearly as strongly as I do about the situation. I tend to back down when I feel embarrassed or outnumbered, so I really want to stand my ground if the pediatrician tells me I'm being ridiculous. (She might be totally onboard with it -- who knows!)
Further complicating the matter is the fact that my father and sister are both highly-respected and brilliant physicians. Clearly they know more than I about these matters, so their opinion and expertise means a great deal to me. I have no idea where they stand on vaccines--we've never really discussed it --but sometimes when I question Western medicine, I feel like I'm questioning them directly. Almost like if they had issues with public education, I would feel like I had to answer to it. Does that make sense?
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Well, I don't have kids yet - but I agree with everything you said! I, too, plan to have my future kids on what they now call an "alternate schedule" of vaccination and I definitely plan to go thimerosol free as well. If I don't want preservatives in my food, I don't really want them in my medicine either.
ReplyDeletei agree too. thimerosol free. and we delayed here. they're up to date now...
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ReplyDeleteAs a physician, I have the belief that vaccines are good and not responsible for autism, etc. But since my baby is due in October, I'll probably be readdressing the issue ot timing of vaccines for myself. BTW... I think FluMist is only approved in kids >2. FluZone (in single-dose syringes) is thimerosal-free and approved in babies >6 months. (that's from the CDC website, not my personal fund of knowledge...)
ReplyDeleteI don't know Amy, I think a lot about this issue too. Both of my kids have been vaccinated on schedule so far but at Jordyn's 2 month appointment (4 shots!) I was bothered by all that stuff being shot into her little body. I've done my research though, and I do believe that vaccines are good and that the benefits far outweigh the risks but I also believe that perhaps there is something to be said for spacing them out a bit. What's a few extra trips to the pedi if it gives a mama peace of mind?
ReplyDeleteSo far, all 4 kids have been vaccinated on the schedule, for the most part. My doctor is wonderful with the kids, especially the twins (he HATES giving shots to them) and for the 12 month shots, he spaced them out a bit with the 15 and 18 month shots. As long as they get them by a certain time, they're fine. Only once did we postpone a shot for Drew~his DTAP~because it caused him to spike a high fever at 2 months and we were going away just after his 4 month shots to Italy, so we waited until we returned to give him that shot.
ReplyDeleteI have never spoken to my doctor about the Thimerisol free shots~I will mention it on Friday when I'm there and see what he thinks.
This news story should make your decision easier ;)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theonion.com/content/video/study_most_children_strongly
I feel doubts too about vaccines. I actually just bought the Dr. Sears book on Amazon to get more info about the alternate schedule. Everything I read says you should make a separate appt to talk about vaccines. How did your appt go? I have the same problem of sort of caving when I get into the office.
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