So, I don't know vaccines from Shinola ...

[spritelyone]

I think I'm about far enough ahead that I need to begin educating myself about available vaccines. Can anyone recommend one or two resources that can provide a balanced viewpoint that will help us make decisions about things

Comments

[bafleyanne]

I don't know if there is a book available or not like that. I can tell you what we did. I don't think it's necessary to give babies vaccines at birth so I opted out of the HepB shot they wanted to give in the hospital. He got his first dose of that at 2 months old and we finished out the schedule but delayed. The other two we delayed were the MMR (until after 2, just because whatever nebulous connection between it and autism exists seems to vanish if the first dose isn't given until after 2) and the varicella (still hasn't had it, although he has a drs. appt. on Friday and we may do it then). Re: varicella, the lasting efficacy of that vaccine without boosters is worrisome to me and if it's given at the age it's recommended the immunity wears off in the teen years, which is a particularly bad time to get it. My doctor recommends that if you are going to delay it, wait till after 5 and then whenever is fine.

Varicella is the *only* scheduled vaccine Jamie has not yet had, but we did follow our own schedule for some of them. A good doctor is willing to listen to your concerns and do what you want--if they pressure you, to me, that's not ok.

[spritelyone]

Thanks, Barbara. This is the sort of information I'm looking for. Did you wind up looking up each vaccination separately and making the decision, then?

I saw that there was a Sears book on vaccinations including an alternate schedule, and I might get it, but I didn't know if it was considered an impartial source or not. It might be a good, comprehensive start to at least knowing their purpose and common scheduling.