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spacing out vaccs / no flu shot and pediatricians

ljanette85ljanette85 member
in Natural Birth

this seemed like a good place to ask this question...

i have to start looking for a pediatrician. i want someone who is willing to space out vaccinations and who wont give me a ton of sh*t for not getting the flu vaccination (for myself or baby). Im not trying to start a debate on either topic, its just a personal decision. My question, for those of you who have also chosen space out vaccs and avoid the flu shot, how did you find a ped willing to do this? did you have many issues? any advice for approaching docs and questions to ask?

thank you SO much for any advice, this whole process is kind of intimidating : /

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Re: spacing out vaccs / no flu shot and pediatricians

  • judahsmommy1judahsmommy1
    I honestly didn't have any problem at all. Maybe I just got lucky. I actually partially vaccinated and so the flu shot is not the only vaccine that my child hasn't received. My son has had two different pediatricians. The first one asked me if I planned on doing a delayed schedule or rejecting them completely. We discussed under what circumstances I would change my mind and I never heard another word about it. With the second, basically the same thing happened. With that one though, they asked me to sign saying that I had declined the vaccinations. Your best bet is to call and ask the office if they are supportive of a delayed schedule for vaccinations. If they aren't, they'll probably give you crap for the flu shot too.
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  • 3003girl3003girl member

    We interviewed Pediatricians and asked them a lot of questions - mostly about being supportive of breastfeeding and not using Antibiotics as a cure-all for everything. I also did not really want parenting advice from my Pedi. (ie they shouldn't care if I bed-share, did Baby Led Weaning or CIO, it's none of their business.) We use our Pedi for medical reasons only. (My sister on the other hand used her Pedi for everything including behavioral issues. To each there own, and if that's something you want you should ask those questions also.)

    In short, I suggest coming up with a list of questions and set up a few interviews with Pedi's in your area. Ask about their stance on vax and anything else that is important to you. 

    Word of mouth is also good.

     

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  • mkflower3000mkflower3000 member
    I just asked how the doctors felt about a flexible vaccine schedule/whether they were willing to do it at all (some of them feel required to say that they prefer to stick by the guidelines, but are still be WILLING to be flexible - so it's about how you ask). Hey, if a doctor is rude because you asked them a question, then that's probably a good sign that maybe you don't want them handling your child anyway! Even if they disagree, they shouldn't be jerks about it. Don't be afraid :)
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  • pepomntpatpepomntpat member
    We went to our family doctor. He said we could do what we wanted. I would just ask. Some doctors are very much into following the rules and some are more flexible. 
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  • nosoup4unosoup4u member
    You might have more luck with family practitioners or doctors who practice integrative medicine.
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    DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)

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  • pixieprincsspixieprincss member
    We see my family practice doctor and I didn't ask so much as just came in and said what we would be doing that day. I supposed a doctor not on board would've made a stink at that point, but mine just offered his opinion and then put in the order. The one thing we did have to plan for was getting in Tripedia  brand DPT versus the brand that they stock in the office.

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  • ljanette85ljanette85 member
    thank you all :) I started calling around, not as scary as I thought!
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  • ELF4321ELF4321 member

    I actually had a more difficult experience finding a pedi who is open to alternative/delayed vaccine schedules and open to using the vaccines that have lower doses of aluminum and other additives than some of them do.  I found that the larger group practices were the hardest to deal with and actually got lectures from several docs at different practices.  The smaller practices and solos were more open to it, and ultimately we found one who was truly on board with what we wanted, but that was only after meeting with and interviewing about 6 different offices. 

    You might try googling "vaccine friendly" pediatricians in your area and see if you can find any message boards or things where people are discussing who in your area is good for this.

    Good luck!


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  • wheelsonthebuswheelsonthebus member
    I got pretty lucky too. My pedi openly disagrees with my choice to not get the flu shot for myself or my family, but he respects that it is MY choice. He gives me all of the literature and information and leaves the choice up to me.  My pedi is very pro-vax, but even he said it's best to space out vaccines. So, I think it's more about finding a pedi that respects your wishes and not one that actually shares your opinion.

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  • ElsaBlueElsaBlue
    Be discerning. There are some very open pediatricians out there. We delayed vaccinations and have given them to our son on an extremely limited basis. He's only had isolated measles (no other vaccinations piggybacked on, they ordered it from Europe), tetanus (isolated) and polio vaccines. I would never, ever have my son get a flu shot and there are enough MDs out there now that are against the flu shot so that is less of a problem. You're the client. I have lived in New England and the southwest and in both geographies we found very open pediatricians and practitioners who respected our wishes and worked with us. Good luck!
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  • HSartteachHSartteach member

    I think I just lucked out.  We went with a rec from my OB with my DS.  I actually didn't like the original pedi, but love the other doc in the practice.

    She never gave me a hard time about flu shots or anything like that.

    We are now there with DD, and she is totally cool about my spacing out the vacs and every thing we want.  We did 2 vacs @ the 2 month appt and are going back in a month for the next "round".  It may take longer and cost a bit more, but totally worth it.

    My advice is just to straight forward ask what are their thoughts on spacing out the vacs.

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