2 month shots

There are now 8 different infectious diseases that we offer vaccines for at the 2 month well-child visit. Visit the CDC website for Vaccine Information Statements or click on the illness below for a link to specific information.

1. Diphtheria (D in DTaP)
2. Tetanus (T in DTaP)
3. Pertussis (P in DTaP)
4. Polio (IPV)
5. Pneumonia (PCV7 or Prevnar)
6. Meningitis (Hib or part of Comvax)
7. Hepatitis (HepB or part of Comvax)
8. Rotavirus (Rota)

Click here for the AAP recommended childhood immunization schedule.

You can also visit Dr. Sears website for a selective schedule or an alternative schedule.

My goal at this point is not to reinvent the wheel and try and teach you everything about the individual illness and side-effects of each vaccine. Dr. Sears has done an excellent job in his book. Additionally, I have included the links below to read what other experts have to say regarding these issues.

Overall, I feel like we should be thankful for vaccines in general. They have prevented countless serious illnesses and improved the lives of many of us in this country and others. However, I also feel like this medical resource needs to be used responsibly and if there are way to avoid some or all of the shots, without seriously jeopardizing our health or the health of those around us, then I think we should explore those options.

I also think we should exercise caution when we "do" anything to our children. We should be vigilant to ensure that the things we "do" are safe as well as effective. If we are unsure, we should remember the golden rule, "first do no harm." Remembering of course, the golden rule in its extreme does not allow you and your children to benefit from the many miracles of modern day science and medicine. At the end of the day though, the balance is one that you must decide. Hopefully the information on this page will help.

There is an excellent resource from the CDC that discusses all the known side-effects and also how common each side-effect occurs in children.

But the side-effects of a vaccine must be weighed against the possibility of contracting the disease. If you are considering delaying your child's vaccinations or foregoing them altogether, it would be irresponsible not to understand the possible repercussions.

Vaccine Adverse Reactions

What if your child gets a disease covered by a vaccine?

Any discussion of vaccination, a delay in vaccination, or a decision not to vaccinate must first start with those things that are essential components of raising healthy children, the way nature designed.

Breastfeeding

Breast milk is the single most important thing your child needs in the early months, or even years of life. Breast milk, besides having the perfect combination of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, also transfers the monther's immunity to her infant. Depriving your child of the protection offered from the mother's mature immune system is irresponsible, except in certain rare conditions.

If you are not going to vaccinate, or plan to delay vaccination, you should make sure you have a plan to breast feed for at least 6 months and up to 2 years.

This is an interesting study that looks at how important breastfeeding is for babies. A delay in even one hour has been show to increase mortality.

Avoid daycare

Virtually everything that we vaccinate for will find its way into the daycare setting. Rotavirus, the flu, pertussis, resistant pneumococcus (pneumonia), etc. If you do not vaccinate your child and then send them to daycare with kids who are vaccinated for these things you will be putting your child are enormous risk. In my mind a decision not to vaccinate means a decision to stay at home with your child and avoid daycare.

Vaccinate parents and older siblings

If you do not plan to vaccinate your infants then you might consider checking your own immune status. Most kids get things like pertussis from adults and older siblings who generally have a very mild course when they get these infection. Small child on the other hand often have a very severe course. If you want to protect your small children you might want to make sure the rest of the family does not become a Trojan horse.

Social Responsibility

When unvaccinated children are ill, you must take caution to ensure that their illness is not one of the highly contagious things we vaccinate for. The best example is Rubella. Kids generally have very little problem with Rubella. However, Rubella in a pregnant women can be devastating to the developing fetus. If your child is unvaccinated and they get ill - the only responsible choice to is to keep them at home and away from others.