BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Pediatrics Unbiased immunization info?

Lynn:

I actually have not found any reactions with the new combo shots and I see a lot of kids! Immune specialist report that it doesn't matter if you give them all at once or one at a time the impact on the immune system is the same. Also, food for thought, turns out kids remember more the amount of visits for shots more than the amount of shots per visit.

But, ever child and family is different and as long as kids get the shots it is nice to have alternatives between the combos and the solos.

By the way, any group that doesn't revisit past immunization reactions and allergic reactions prior to giving a vaccine is not doing their job well. I find it unsettling that you'd have to shoulder that responsibility instead of your peds office.

Dr. G
<img src="/images/graemlins/music.gif" alt="" />

"Immune specialist report that it doesn't matter if you give them all at once or one at a time the impact on the immune system is the same."

We've found the opposite quite true and are involved in a research study related to this currently. Mine couldn't handle the MMR combo. They did just fine with the single shots, separated and given at different times.

The only thing my kids really remember about doctor's visits is which office has the best lollipops/stickers.

Thanks for sharing your story. A good reminder that just because something is true of "most" kids, most can be 51 to 49, so there are many who break the majority rule. That happens a great deal in pediatrics.

I'm glad, Lynn, that your kids did so well with the single shots. That is not always the case and many kids freak out with having so many shot visits. Immunizations are an important example of alternatives are crucial in pediatrics - to meet the needs of as many types of kids as possible because there is not a one size fits all here.

A side issue is the importance of acceptance and tolerance. In many ways, as long as a child gets the immunizations,whether a family opts for the standard schedule or the solo shot schedule is moot. The big picture is to "be wise, immunize" - as the Immunization Action Coalition likes to say (www.immunize.org).


Best,






<img src="/images/graemlins/music.gif" alt="" />

I had been looking for unbiased info for three years now. When my oldest two children were small, I did not expect problems with their immunizations. I went to our local health department to get them, as Medicaid only paid for vaccinations through a clinic and not a doctor's office. I was given the pamphlets and told to dose them with tylenol prior... and when the shot came, they screamed.. I cried... and we went home suffering for about a week each time. The injections site raised, hardened and became feverish. The children got chills...sweats..fevers of 101-102..diahrea and vomited. They were clammy, pale and weak. Each time it seemed as if they had the flu. Each time I called the health department and they always assured me this was normal and to treat the symptoms as they were. I asked about reporting the reaction to the CDC or their regular doctor or even just documenting it in their files.... to which the health department reassured me this was normal and no action should be taken. I went over them and asked my pediatrician, who ONCE saw my daughter after a shot when she could "squeeze" her in. She determined her reaction as mild and not bothersome and sent us on our merry way. She would not see us for later concerns when my daughter started breaking out and as far as I can tell, documented nothing in her case file. They were both sick as babies. In and out of doctors offices for illnesses, prescriptions and chronic infections. Both my children had reactions I did not find acceptable. The pamphlets said a small grade fever and a welp on the injection site. Abnormal reactions would be vomitting and the others my children were going through. The health department ignored my concerns.

When I had my third child premature I hesitated with his vaccinations. He had the one he needed to be released from the hospital but I refused to allow him to have more without knowing what would happen. From all I have read, the sibling's reaction is enough to warrent waiving his vaccinations. I've read that a childs immune system is stunted when it takes on the vaccination serums. I do not want to go through that with my toddler. I hesitated....I waited...I wanted to wait until he was older. Now he's older and starting school and I am still not comfortable at all with having him vaccinated. He's rarely been sick at all- when he is it is a simple headcold treatable with some tissue and hot cocoa. He is strong and smart and in perfect health. No ear infections, never been on an antibiotic. If I can contribute that to the lack of shots then I say I made the right choice. Our new physician was shocked and said he'd never heard of any problems with health department injections in the state of arkansas- but that he'd look into it. What will he find? I'm assuming nothing, as they were not about to document it on my childs files, let alone mass numbers over the last decade. I'd read where they were now doing away with mercury based shots but that some health departments were still trying to use up the rest of the supplies. Medicaid will still only pay for clinic immunizations and not through a physician. I am scared that they will say Ive neglected my son because I refused to do something I did not have answers for. I cant claim religious waiver- Im not religious....but I think the past speaks for itself. If I felt there was a community danger where my son could contract something like measles or polio I might consider the risk of his reaction. I feel right now my decision is justified but I will have a fight on my hands trying to get our doctor to stop pushing for conformity. I don't want my son to suffer through needles upon needles simply because its what everybody else does. I need more information and its very hard to come by it that isnt biased.

Thank you so much for your post and sharing your children's experiences with vaccines with us. I pulled out this quote from your post because that is the crux of the situation overall. There is still a risk for measles and polio world wide. With so many people still unimmunized in all our communities, there is still a risk of contracting any of the illnesses we have vaccines for. So, your son's health is in danger by not being immunized.

The vaccine reactions you described were much more common with older live-virus vaccines. Now we use genetically engineered vaccines and hardly see more than a low grade temperature or sore whelt at the injection site.

You asked for unbiased information. Believe it or not, the information that the CDC has and immunize.org, and the American Academy of Pediatrics is truly unbiased based on scientific data. As doctors, we all take the "do no harm" part of our oath very seriously. I wish more people would believe that.

My children are immunized and I'd have it no other way. I'd rather risk an immunization reaction, even as severe as what your children had, then have them suffer through measles, polio, diptheria, tetanus, Hepatitis B, etc. To me the risk of the vaccine and pain of the shot is far outweighed by the benefit to our kids and to our global community.

Check out Immunization Action Coalition

and

CDC Vaccine Concern Information

This is one of my biggest complaints. I think some pediatricians really do stand by the hypocratic oath but I do not believe this is always the case.

There are bad apples in every system - but immunizations are not operating in a vaccuum. At some point, parents in general need to realize that unless there is an international conspiracy, we all support these because of true science. But, doctors in general could do a much better job listening and educating people.

I just wanted to let anyone else who is interested know.... after several painstaking years of getting lies from my county's health department, I went to seek advisement of the neighboring county. Ten minutes on the phone with this lady gave me all the information I needed regarding applications for vaccination waivers for my state. She was more than helpful and in fact had heard of a waiver and the process involving such, whereas my county was ignorant to all information.

I called the state immunization office located in the capitol and they promptly sent the application form. I checked Philosophical waiver and sent it back in notorized. Two weeks, I had my waiver letter in hand and my son was able to stay in pre-school. Now the only catch is that he has to reapply each year, with it being easier to get a re-issue than an original, Im doing good... and IF an outbreak of any disease with a vaccination(measles,polio,etc) I am requested to remove him until the outbreak is given the All Clear. I am also free to have him immunized for any at any time if I change my mind.

This has been a terrible ordeal I dealt with my local health department that I would not wish upon any parent. My advice would be to get all the required information, do your homework and know what is best for your child before taking the steps too late. My battle was long because I was not given accurate information. I do believe vaccinations for the majority of the children of the world is the right thing to do...but I also know that for some.... other options are always available WITHOUT biased opinions.

Thank you for your imformation.

Torry Chapman
Arkansas

Do you, as a doctor, believe that adequate testing is done on vaccines before they're added to the vax schedule?

Torry:

Thank you for your story. I am particularly impressed that despite you deciding against immunizations for your child you recognize the benefits for most children. You are also accurate about pointing out you can get immunizations for your child down the road - at any time. The schedule is fluid that way and offers some flexibility.

Best,