To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate?
Thus far, I have avoided the topic of vaccinations on Eco Child’s Play for several reasons. I am not a doctor, nor would I ever want to pretend that I know more than someone who has gone to medical school. Also, much of the information I know about vaccinations is outdated (like the presence of thimerosal in all of the childhood vaccines). Lastly, my family’s choices have changed over time, from being staunchly opposed to any vaccinations to picking and choosing protection for our children based upon our son’s congenital heart defect. Finally, I feel like there is a straightforward, quality resource for parents in Dr. Sears’ The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child. I wish I would have had this book six years ago, when my first child was born.
The Vaccine Book is divided into 19 chapters. The first 12 chapters are devoted to a different vaccine. Within each vaccine chapter, Dr. Sears discusses:
- What the disease is
- When the vaccine is given
- How the vaccine is made
- What ingredients are in the vaccine
- What are the side effects of the vaccine
- Should you give your baby the vaccine (including both reasons for and against, as well as travel considerations)
- The way Dr. Sears sees it
The last section of each chapter is my favorite, as it cuts to the chase of what I am wanting to know as a parent. “The Way I See It” describes the public and personal health reasons why a parent should or should not consider a vaccine. For example, Dr. Sears writes about the polio vaccine:
Since polio was eradicated from the United States more than twenty years ago and isn’t even found on this half of the planet, it is safe to say that we don’t give this vaccine in order to protect each individual child from catching polio…I consider this vaccine very important from a public health viewpoint. Until the whole world is polio free, ongoing vaccination will help keep our nation protected “from sea to shining sea.”
The remaining chapters of The Vaccine Book discusses combination vaccines, safety research, side effects, ingredients, myths and questions, information for parents who chose to delay or decline vaccines (including Dr. Sears’ selective vaccination schedule), and “What Should You Do Now?” I am very pleased to see that Dr. Sears’ selective vaccination closely matches my family’s choices, with the exception of rotavirus. His advice has matched those of my own pediatrician and doctors, and it is reassuring to have this resource when considering any vaccine for your child.Dr. Robert (Bob) W. Sears is the son of the infamous Dr. William (Bill) Sears, best known for promoting Attachment Parenting. To visit Dr. Bob’s vaccine blog, click here. This blog is updated with recent vaccine news, such as the Merck recall, as well as resources for doctors and families seeking “vaccine-friendly” doctors. There are so many issues involving vaccinations, such as state requirements and the use of animal/human tissue, that Dr. Sears does an amazing job covering the subject. As a friend of mine who is a pediatric nurse practitioner explained to me, “Your child will probably be fine if you vaccinate; your child will probably be fine if you don’t vaccinate.” Of course, this statement applies to children in the United States.
Desiree, ask your friends..if they don’t know, you can call different doc offices and ask the receptionist how each doctor feels about vaccinations and parents making choices about them. Also, you could ask a parent you see at a coop or health food store if they know of any in your area, as I would think someone shopping organically may also want to do a selective schedule for vaccinations. I think there was a part in Dr. Sears’ book that discussed how to find a physician open to your concerns.
I don’t pretend to have training in medicine either but I don’t think the way our Dr.’s are trained in the this country, at least on the conventional side, is the right way. Most of them are brain-washed drug pushers and vaccines have become another way of big pharma making more and more money. As more and more children get sick (vaccinated children that is), from a myriad of messed up things like autism, people may finally wake up and stand up against our government. We are just cattle and an overly medictated and vaccinated herd at that. I prefer staying away from Dr.’s and taking great care of myself w/ high quality vitamins from a food source and do the same for my children. We never get sick and never need the Dr. It’s pretty simple really. Our friends in the Netherlands do the same and everyone they know there stay fit and well. I think too many folks in this country are just too easily convinced to do what their Dr.’s tell them. They let fear get the best of them…it’s really such a sad shame.
I am following Dr. Sears advice on the alternative vaccination schedule. My pediatrician was hard to convince, but I pushed until he agreed. I understand that the doctors worry that if we venture too far from the usual schedule, parents will fail to return for the follow up visits/shots. However, I’m not one of those parents. My son will receive his vaccinations in line with the alternative shot schedule.
I am just so happy to have a book like this at the perfect time and I also have an open minded pediatrician who is willing to work with me on getting the right vaccine schedule for my child. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has any concern about vaccination. It’s worth the read!
houston area dr who is “vaccine friendly” http://www.healthedadlit.com/index.html
As a junior doctor, I truly believe that people should NOT have the right to decide against vaccinating their children. It’s too dangerous.
Yes, there are some risks, but these far outweigh the benefits in the vast majority of cases.
Vaccines are purported to REDUCE THE RISK of the infection, and they are not a guarantee. Likewise, condoms are not a guarantee that you wont get pregnant. But does this mean you just wont use them either?
Honestly, people shouldn’t be allowed to place all of society at risk because of what some nutcase with a bee in their bonnet regarding doctor’s ‘real motives’ says.
Desiree–
I, too, am in Houston/Katy area. Any luck? I am hoping to get the mmr shot separated. Although my pediatrician is tolerant of my schedule, she doesn’t order the separate shots, so I’m looking, too! Thanks!
Desiree– I have chosen not to vaccinate my daughter–so far. My doctor is fine with this, although of course he prefers vaccinations. He has many parents who choose not to vaccinate and will respect your wishes as to when (or if) to vaccinate your dd. His name is Dr. Keith McPherson and he is with Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates in Conroe. As far as I know, most doctors in this area (around The Woodlands) are pretty respectful of the parents’ choices.
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