Alternative Vaccination Schedule Question

chantico23

Let me start by saying that I am 100% pro vaccination.  At this time, I plan for my baby to get all vaccinations.  However, I've heard different things around the timing of these vaccinations, how it is better that certain ones are not given together, concerns with the binding agent in certain ones, etc.  I have just enough knowledge to be thinking about it, but not enough to make an informed decision about whether I want to follow the standard schedule or do an alternative plan.  Does anyone have more information or resources regarding this?  

Please, if you are passionate on one side or the other, let's not get off on a tangent or debate about vaccinations.  I know the pros of following a standard vaccination schedule.  I'm looking for information on the cons of it, so I have a complete picture before making my decision.

Thanks for your help!

catlackey

I too am pro vaccine, but have decided to do an alternate vaccine schedule. Dr.Sears has a great book out that discusses the pros and cons of each vaccine, and affer you an alternative vaccination schedule. The book is called The Vaccine Book. It really helped me feel informed and didn't scare me away from wanting to vaccinate. Hope this helps:)

Julia_JJ

We're going to try to stick to the recommended schedule as closely as possible while only getting one at a time so we can check for reactions - doing several at once makes it harder to figure out what might cause something. But we're not planning to exclude any at this point.

Jessie888

I am pro-vaccines and I think all children should get them. However, I disagree with the American Pediatric schedule. I don't think they should get so many shots at once. I have researched each shot so I am educated when speaking to my pediatrician. I found a pediatrician who is open minded and willing to work with me. There were several that were not open to any other way. I am little uncomfortable with Dr. Sear's schedule because I think they are too spaced out. I worked out a schedule with the Pedi where she will only get two at a time.

 hope that helps! 

chantico23

Jessie888:

I am pro-vaccines and I think all children should get them. However, I disagree with the American Pediatric schedule. I don't think they should get so many shots at once. I have researched each shot so I am educated when speaking to my pediatrician. I found a pediatrician who is open minded and willing to work with me. There were several that were not open to any other way. I am little uncomfortable with Dr. Sear's schedule because I think they are too spaced out. I worked out a schedule with the Pedi where she will only get two at a time.

 hope that helps! 

Jessie - Where did you get your information from? 

juepnunes

I am pro-vaccine and I since I am not a doctor or a nurse, I will trust what my pediatrician says.

chantico23

This is an interesting article for those who would like to research this further.  https://www.safbaby.com/an-alternative-vaccination-schedule-from-dr-donald-miller

 Please post other sources of information if you have them!

(ETA: The recommendations in this article as still a little extreme for my liking, but it is still a good source of information.)

anne.ortego

I ended up spacing DS's vaccinations out a bit.  He was born at 35w, and after he received his 6 month round he stopped eating his baby food and just wanted a bottle, and this lasted for about a month.  I don't know if it was just a fluke or if it was related to the shots.  However, all infant medicines are based off of weight, and he was already a tiny thing, and I personally feel that getting 7 shots at once is a lot, so I scheduled his 1 year shots when he was a little older.  We'll see how DS#2 does with his shots and then we'll decide whether to use an alternative schedule or to go with what's recommended.

Jessie888

erindworley:

Jessie888:

I am pro-vaccines and I think all children should get them. However, I disagree with the American Pediatric schedule. I don't think they should get so many shots at once. I have researched each shot so I am educated when speaking to my pediatrician. I found a pediatrician who is open minded and willing to work with me. There were several that were not open to any other way. I am little uncomfortable with Dr. Sear's schedule because I think they are too spaced out. I worked out a schedule with the Pedi where she will only get two at a time.

 hope that helps! 

Jessie - Where did you get your information from? 

I read Dr Sears vaccination book. I also looked up each vaccine (just internet research). I met someone who had no idea what shot her baby was getting or if she did...she didn't know what the shot was for. I couldn't believe it! I feel like if I want things a certain way, I better know all the info about it so I can back myself up. Just start reading and looking things up! 

chankins14

I did a bunch of research about this for DS & decided to follow the Dr. Sears Alternative Schedule.  DS still gets all the shots, just spaced out as not to get more than 2 shots at a visit.  Yes, it means more appointments for me, but I feel it was worth it.  I also requested shots without preservatives.  I really feel that by doing it the way I did, we avoided any reactions: no fever, no "sick" symptoms, etc., that I feel accompany a "normal" vaccine schedule.

dottymobo

I've done research, and I've never heard a compelling reason to delay with a normal, healthy infant/child- and the risk of vac preventable diseases is real and increasing, so I want my kid protected ASAP.  

SaraTF

I've tried to find evidence for spacing vaccines in reputable scientific literature (peer reviewed journals), but honestly, I can't. Everyone I know IRL who has spaced vaccines references Dr. Sears, who I can't get behind at all. So, I am deferring to my pediatrician and the CDC. If you are able to find a good source of information on the topic, I'd love to read it also.

chantico23

SaraTF:

I've tried to find evidence for spacing vaccines in reputable scientific literature (peer reviewed journals), but honestly, I can't. Everyone I know IRL who has spaced vaccines references Dr. Sears, who I can't get behind at all. So, I am deferring to my pediatrician and the CDC. If you are able to find a good source of information on the topic, I'd love to read it also.

 

Sara, since posting the question this morning I've started reading some of Dr. Donald Miller's research.  It's very interesting.

SaraTF

erindworley:

SaraTF:

I've tried to find evidence for spacing vaccines in reputable scientific literature (peer reviewed journals), but honestly, I can't. Everyone I know IRL who has spaced vaccines references Dr. Sears, who I can't get behind at all. So, I am deferring to my pediatrician and the CDC. If you are able to find a good source of information on the topic, I'd love to read it also.

 

Sara, since posting the question this morning I've started reading some of Dr. Donald Miller's research.  It's very interesting.

Honestly, looking at this guys website is frustrating. Dr. Miller's statements on things he is unqualified to discuss really bother me. Unless he just happens to be an expert on global warming... This turns me off immediately and makes me question his 'science.'

But, I also can't find any papers he authored on vaccines (any actual research). He seems to be stating his opinion, which is valid as such.