The Imperfect Community

Petulant Pixie · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 9:14 am Post subject: Alternate vaccine schedule

OK, I got the vaccine sheet from the hospital, and there is NO WAY I am following the recommendations (which I understand are from the CDC, not a fly-by-night organization, I know, but still...).

It says here that the HepB is recommended at birth-2 months for the first dose. She's not going to be in day care or any other place where she would be exposed to HepB, so we're going to put that off until she is--so probably around 3.

But, then it says at 2 months, they're supposed to get the DTP, Polio, Hib, and PCV. That's SIX different vaccines (since the DTP vaccinates against three illnesses). At 2 MONTHS of age. That just can't be good!

I was thinking to do the DTP at the 2 month check up. Then the Polio and the Hib three weeks later and then the PCV three weeks after that. That would leave two weeks between the PCV and the DTP boost at 4 months, then wait three weeks for the Polio and the Hib again, and so on.

Has anyone done an alternate vaccine schedule? Can you tell me what do did and when, and how did it go?

MedeaNJ · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 10:07 am Post subject: Alternate vaccine schedule

Well I don't have the exact schedule in my head as DH takes the twins to get their shots (I've been known to faint at the mere sight of a needle).

We are foregoing the HepB shot until they need to be in school. Of course our daycare center says, 'kids bite.' To that I say, the biting kid would most likely have to have been sexually molested in order to contract the disease. So that shot is out the window until they are at least six.

Chicken pox at the time of this writing will also be foregoed altogether. We are still investigating the long-term effects, (i.e. shingles).

The DTP shot, we have done 2 of the three rounds, but spread out much farther than is currently recommended, but still within range of being effective.

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) is also to be held off for now. We want to break up these shots into three separate diseases. The only problem with this is that one of the diseases (I think it is the mumps, someone correct me if I am wrong, please) is not available in a single dose here in the US, but it is in Canada.

Basically we give one shot only every six weeks to two months. And even then we only accept single dose shots, none having been drawn from a bottle.

So far so good on the side effects, they just sleep a lot over the next 48 hours following a shot.

Hope some of this helps.

Sewingsiren · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 10:13 am Post subject: Alternate vaccine schedule

Pix,
Your plan sounds alot like what I did. I staggered the ones I considered to be the most important, I also delayed the Hep B until pre-school, and do not do chicken-pox at all (yet).

honeybee · Queen of Imperfection Joined: 20 Dec 2002 Posts: 3163

Has anyone done an alternate vaccine schedule? Can you tell me what do did and when, and how did it go?

Yep.
It's hard to keep track of, for me at least, and the doc office is not cooperative. They don't make the vax appoitments for me now or give me reminder calls. And I get treated like a big PITA for bringing Owen in for one or two shots and not the others. I am given a hard time for him not having MMR yet or Varicella.

Hopefully your ped will be more easy going.

DietCokeHead · Queen of Imperfection Joined: 29 Apr 2002 Posts: 3805

Has anyone done an alternate vaccine schedule? Can you tell me what do did and when, and how did it go

I have a friend that does it and I can put you in touch with her if you need some ideas. She is the one that makes her own raw dog food too! Laughing

The hep-B one at birth is the one that kills me. Just pop a brand new baby out and they are already shooting it up with stuff! I skipped it for Molly until a bit later but didnt have the balls to argue with them when Jack was born. I think since my next wont be in daycare I will delay a few things. I plan on getting them all though.

DietCokeHead · Queen of Imperfection Joined: 29 Apr 2002 Posts: 3805

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) is also to be held off for now. We want to break up these shots into three separate diseases. The only problem with this is that one of the diseases (I think it is the mumps, someone correct me if I am wrong, please) is not available in a single dose here in the US, but it is in Canada.

Basically we give one shot only every six weeks to two months. And even then we only accept single dose shots, none having been drawn from a bottle.

OK, I have a question. If you break up the MMR, isnt that increasing the other stuff that is in the shot with the vaccine? Like the chemicals and other agents? Since you are then getting it 3 times? Also, what is the difference between one drawn from a bottle and one that is not?

Jessica · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 12:35 pm Post subject: Alternate vaccine schedule

PP, I'm sure in your area, peds are probably used to more alternative schedules. Your area is kinda granola-ish in that way. Wink

Your schedule also doesn't sound too unreasonable, so even if a ped doesn't agree, they shouldn't object too much. It can be difficult because the foremost authorities - the CDC, the AAP, the AAFP and such adhere to strict immunization advocacy.

Graham was actually vaccinatated at his chronological age, NOT his adjusted age, which made him 2 months younger than Lizzy when he recv'd his shots. I did some research and concluded for myself that the evidence supported this action in my case. First of all, preemies are at higher risk of infection if contact is made with a contagious disease, so I wanted to protect him against those who aren't vaccinated for whatever reason. Secondly, the evidence cleary supported, IMO, that preemies weighing more than 2000g at birth were at no more "risk" than the FT infant of the miniscule and potential "risk" of adverse reactions.

I am a HUGE vaccination proponent and advocate, as you all know. LOL. I think there is so much misinformation floating around out there and many lawyers seeking opportunity in the misfortunes of certain children, but certainly, putting off the hepB is not a do-or-die situation, IMO. (Actually, in Illinois I think infants get their first dose before they leave the hospital! Shocked

)

Anyway, I'm sure some of the more holistic/natural sites might have schedule suggestions, but yours sounds pretty mild and reasonable, so I would just discuss it with your doctor, stating what you're comfortable with. After all, it is your choice to make.

Petulant Pixie · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 12:46 pm Post subject: Alternate vaccine schedule

Thanks everyone. Someone on another board posted some stuff from the Dr Sears website (gag, I know, but it's good information) and I printed it out to show to the ped.

Actually, we've maybe changed our mind about the HepB in the light of new information. Mike has not been vaccinated, he doesn't think. He's not sure if he was vaccinated in MA or not. This is important because of the work he does, he actually has a pretty significant exposure to HepB. He's going to call and see if he was vaccinated (I don't think he was!) and if not, he's going to get the vaccine here (his work provides it free because of the exposure). But, then maybe we should have Liz vaccinated for it because of this! If he were able to give it to her, he would have symptoms, right????

Annie--to answer your question about the preservatives. That's why people have the single dose injections, those don't have the questionable preservatives that the multiple injections do. So, you eliminate that risk. I will have to ask the doctor about that, too. It's such a shame, she and I have been getting along so well up until this point, lol, I hope this doesn't cause trouble Wink

Petulant Pixie · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 12:51 pm Post subject: Alternate vaccine schedule

Jessica · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 1:16 pm Post subject: Re: Alternate vaccine schedule

Petulant Pixie · Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 6:41 am Post subject: Alternate vaccine schedule