Creating a Selective/Delayed Vaccination Schedule
April 12th, 2008 by Megan@SortaCrunchy
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Much of the recent media coverage on the debate about childhood vaccinations and the
possible links to autism or other neurological disorders presents the issue as an "either/or" decision. Parents may feel they either have to vaccinate their children in complete compliance with the CDC mandated schedule or choose not to vaccinate their children at all.
A growing number of parents are discovering that vaccines are not all-or-nothing. If for any reason, you don't feel comfortable with the vaccine schedule created by the CDC, there are steps you can take to create a schedule of immunizations that you feel comfortable with for each of your children.
1) Do your research. You will find impassioned viewpoints on either side of the vaccine debate, and it's important to carefully evaluate the source of the material you are reading. Two resources that take a careful, middle-of-the-road approach are Dr. Stephanie Cave's What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations (2001) and Dr. Bob Sears' The Vaccine Book (2007). (Dr. Sears has created an online companion to his book that includes a blog, online discussion forum, FAQs, and more. He also answers reader questions in a bi-monthly column at Metropolitan Mama.)
2) Evaluate your child's unique and specific needs. Is there a history of illness in your family that causes you to be concerned about your child receiving vaccinations as a younger baby? Do you live in a community where there is a high incidence of a vaccine-preventable illness? Do you and your family plan to travel out of the country any time soon? There are many questions to consider when deciding which vaccines you want your child to receive and when. As your child's parent, no one is better qualified than you to look at the big picture and make these decisions.
3) Create a vaccine schedule that best suits your child. Having done your research, you may feel comfortable following the CDC mandated schedule. If not, you can create a schedule that you feel will best meet the needs of your child(ren). Both Dr. Cave and Dr. Sears provide suggested schedules in their books, and there are more examples of schedules to be found online.
4) Talk with your doctor. Schedule an appointment to discuss the schedule you have created. Dr. Sears has some excellent insight into how to approach the discussion with your doctor. Some physicians may be more open to an alternative vaccine schedule than others. If you feel strongly that an alternative vaccine schedule is important to your child's health and well-being and your doctor strongly opposes the schedule you have created, it may be that you will want to find a new health care provider.
5) Understand exemptions. If there are certain vaccines you oppose your child receiving, you may want to research your state's specific policies and procedures on vaccine exemptions. This article at the National Vaccine Information Center is a good place to start educating yourself on vaccine exemptions.
FEEDBACK: Have you created an alternative vaccine schedule you would like to share with others? Tell us about it in the comments or link to your own posted schedule!
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April 12th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
My friend is a nurse in Texas and if the parents refuse the initial vaccinations when the baby first leaves the hospital the Doctor is required to notify Child protective services. I thought that was very interesting.
April 12th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Laura - that is interesting. I live in Texas and we took our daughter home from the hospital with her having not received any vaccines. Our pediatrician sent us home with her blessing and I am not aware that any CPS reports were filed on us.
Maybe policies vary by city/county.
April 12th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
excellent post. thanks for sharing this information.
April 13th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Thank you so much! I've been looking into this issue and becoming more and more convinced I want an alternative schedule. I don't have a pediatrician yet and I'm praying for one who will be gracious to be a little unconventional. If anyone has good suggestions for finding a pediatrician I'd love some help. There are hundreds to choose from. My first baby is due in two months.
April 15th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Excellent post! It's so important for parents to know that vaccines aren't "all-or-nothing." There are actually quite a few "choices" that parents can make regarding vaccines and it's great to see some of those options highlighted here!
April 16th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Thanks for a good overview on vax scheduling. Wi followed a slightly modified version of Dr Stephanie Cave's schedule with our oldest daughter. For our second I'm not sure if we'll do the same or maybe Dr Sears. More likely we'll do something hybrid drawing from both sources. Thankfully we have a ped who is totally fine with our choices.
April 17th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Laura - that is not accurate. CPS in Texas cannot even initiate an investigation for declining vaccinations.
From ยง 531.0335. PROHIBITION ON PUNITIVE ACTION FOR FAILURE TO IMMUNIZE:
"(b) The commissioner by rule shall prohibit a health and human services agency from taking a punitive action against a person responsible for a child's care, custody, or welfare for failure of the person to ensure that the child receives the immunization series prescribed by Section 161.004, Health and Safety Code."
April 17th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Very important information and valuable. I have held my son back by 4 months on his schedule so far and spread the vaccinations apart farther. I just feel better with this decision in the long run. Allowing our kids to take a little more time…means comfort for mama.
Thank you for a perfectly wonderful post!
Juicy Jenn
October 21st, 2008 at 10:51 am
BE PREPARED! 99% of pediatricians are refusing to see patients that are not immunized according to THEIR standards. The one percent that will see you will be TOTAL jerks about it and every Drs. visit will be a struggle. I leave in tears from every visit and I have scoured all available Drs. in my area. They are not willing to build a relationship. It's their way or no way and we are paying them? I am in the Lewisville Texas area. If anyone knows of a supportive pediatrician…
November 19th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Dr. Sears has a list of "Vaccine-Friendly Doctors" on his website. Fortunately, I live within 15 minutes of one. Here's the link: http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/Vaccine_Friendly_Doctors.asp. Hope this helps some of you.
December 4th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Terri try Dr. Nina Cahan in copell. We love her and she is very supportive of individualized medicine