New Study Suggests Delaying Vaccines May Lower Risk of Asthma
Friday, February 1, 2008
A new study to be published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology by the University of Manitoba (Canada) looked at 14,000 infants given the DTP vaccine in 1995. The study found that of all the infants who started the vaccine series at the recommended age of 2 months, 14% of them later went on to develop childhood asthma. Babies who delayed the vaccine until age 4 months or older only had a 6% asthma rate. The DTP shot was given in the U.S. and Canada at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with a booster at 18 months and 5 years, to protect against Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (Whooping cough).
This is a very interesting study, but I would like to make several comments:
1. This MAY show that the early introduction of a vaccine can trigger a hyperactive immune response that later increases the risk of asthma. BUT everyone should realize that this study was done with an OLD VACCINE that was taken off the U.S. market in the late 90s. We no longer use this vaccine. So the question is, does this finding ONLY apply to that ONE vaccine, and is now irrelevant, or do we apply it to all vaccines? So far, this only shows a possible connection with the old DTP vaccine.
2. IF people delay all vaccines until 4 months based on this study, they leave their babies open to infection with Pertussis, Meningitis, and Rotavirus, all of which cause infant fatalities each year.
3. I'm not saying people can't or shouldn't make that choice to delay shots. Vaccine reactions DO happen, and everyone is looking for a way to decrease the risk of a reaction. I just like to point out there is disease risk as well.
4. Now, IF a baby has severe colic (linked to food sensitivities and an irritated nervous system) or develops early eczema (allergic rash) or allergic wheezing in the first 2 months of life, a parent could conceivably decide to delay shots so as not to exacerbate their baby's allergic condition. This would be a question of risk versus benefit of the vaccine.
Overall this study raises an interesting question, but doesn’t really help parents decide what to do with vaccines NOW since it applies to an old vaccine that is no longer used. What would be nice is if someone did this type of research on the entire vaccine series – Does delaying ALL vaccines until 4 months or later reduce the risk of asthma and other allergies? Now THAT would be an interesting study. The only problem is that we would be risking disease exposure in the delay-vaccine group. Any volunteers?
This is a very interesting study, but I would like to make several comments:
1. This MAY show that the early introduction of a vaccine can trigger a hyperactive immune response that later increases the risk of asthma. BUT everyone should realize that this study was done with an OLD VACCINE that was taken off the U.S. market in the late 90s. We no longer use this vaccine. So the question is, does this finding ONLY apply to that ONE vaccine, and is now irrelevant, or do we apply it to all vaccines? So far, this only shows a possible connection with the old DTP vaccine.
2. IF people delay all vaccines until 4 months based on this study, they leave their babies open to infection with Pertussis, Meningitis, and Rotavirus, all of which cause infant fatalities each year.
3. I'm not saying people can't or shouldn't make that choice to delay shots. Vaccine reactions DO happen, and everyone is looking for a way to decrease the risk of a reaction. I just like to point out there is disease risk as well.
4. Now, IF a baby has severe colic (linked to food sensitivities and an irritated nervous system) or develops early eczema (allergic rash) or allergic wheezing in the first 2 months of life, a parent could conceivably decide to delay shots so as not to exacerbate their baby's allergic condition. This would be a question of risk versus benefit of the vaccine.
Overall this study raises an interesting question, but doesn’t really help parents decide what to do with vaccines NOW since it applies to an old vaccine that is no longer used. What would be nice is if someone did this type of research on the entire vaccine series – Does delaying ALL vaccines until 4 months or later reduce the risk of asthma and other allergies? Now THAT would be an interesting study. The only problem is that we would be risking disease exposure in the delay-vaccine group. Any volunteers?
Labels: Vaccines and their diseases
posted by Dr. Bob Sears @ 10:24 AM
10 Comments:
At February 8, 2008 3:19 PM ,
Stephanie said...
In a society where immunization is the norm, it doesn't seem that the risk of exposure could be significantly greater by a simple delay. Am I wrong?
At February 12, 2008 3:22 PM ,
Qtpies7 said...
I have not only delayed vax, but skipped it altogether with my last two children, and delayed it with the two before that. My second child, who was up to date on shots developed a childhood asthma and minor allergies, which she outgrew, amazingly, as I quit giving vaccines.
My youngest 4 children have had no health issues. My older three that were vaccinated through kindergarten, or almost kindergarten, had numerous illnesses, allergies, learning disabilities, etc.
HUGE difference to me.
At February 13, 2008 4:59 PM ,
Dr. Bob Sears said...
Steph - I know it does seem hard to believe a brief delay could make a difference.
qtpies7 - Your experience suggests that not just delaying but avoiding all vaccines altogether has created some nice health benefits for your family. I hear this type of story from time to time. But i just can't find enough actual research to show that it is a universal truth.
At February 18, 2008 12:46 PM ,
Roni Fox said...
Dr. Sears-
I am seeing more and more information possibly linking vaccinations to allergies and asthma- especially the HIB vaccine. My son received all vaccinations as scheduled (he is now 2 years old). He has peanut, egg, and milk allergies, in addition to numerous environmental allergies. Now I am faced with vaccinations for my daughter (now 4 months old). She is behind on her schedule because she has been ill (bronchiolitis), and I was choosing to follow your delayed schedule outlined in your book. Now I am hesitant about contiuing them (the HIB and Pc are next for her). I would really like to see you do more research on the possible links here. I really appreciate your book- thanks!
At February 20, 2008 12:00 PM ,
Anonymous said...
No vax for us. After 1 DPT my now 29 year old son has had chronic asthma for life. Now he refuses to vax his child. If you do some hard core research you will find vax are just BIG PHARMA making profit. Read "Vaccines: Are they really safe and effective?" by Neil Z. Miller. Eye opener.
At February 20, 2008 12:48 PM ,
Josh said...
Dr. Sears,
If following your "alternative vaccination schedule" you spell out in your book, is there any reason not to switch the "2 month" shots with the "3 month" shots? Therefore at least putting the DTAP closer to 4 months than 3?
While I don't know that you could draw a linear correlation to say that you would still be better to put THAT VAX at 3 instead of 2 months, I don't know if you've ordered them in that way for a reason. Thanks.
At February 26, 2008 6:46 PM ,
Anonymous said...
Dear Dr. Sears,
My husband and I decided to delay our daughter vaccinations and are now, at 6 1/2 months starting the process to order the DTaP we think is best according to your vaccine ingredient list. You mentioned a good study would be about asthma and other problems would be to have a vaccine delayed group and kids on the traditional schedule. I WOULD be very comfortable volunteering my daughter to be part of a study. We live in the Washington DC area. Any suggestions?
At February 28, 2008 1:06 PM ,
The Beast said...
My son is 18 months and has had no vaccinations. He has a mild dairy sensitivity (which he got from him mother) but otherwise is in perfect health. I guess not giving him a rusty nail as a pacifier really helped him dodge the tetanus bullet.
I'd like to say I'm baffled by the lack of serious research on the harms of vaccinations but really, it boils down to the fact that there's no money in it and you risk suffering the wrath of the mainstream medical profession if your results are less than favorable. What would it take to do a serious study, one that is approved by both sides of the fence beforehand?
At February 28, 2008 1:39 PM ,
Because I'm The Mom said...
I have not vaccinated any of my three children, ages 5,3, and. Not a single shot.Sign me up!
At February 28, 2008 7:35 PM ,
Miss Melissa said...
I would volunteer for this study involving they delay of vaccines--but not for only 2 months--how about 2 years?
I believe we have traded common childhood illnesses for new, chronic, lifelong illnesses.
Disease is a natural part of life. While I would never wish for anyone to lose a child to measles, diptheria, etc., I also would never wish on anyone the kind of chronic infections (and vaccine deaths, including many SIDS cases) that our children are dealing with today.
I KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY PARENTS OUT THERE WHO WOULD GLADLY SIGN UP FOR VACCINE STUDIES THAT INVOLVE DELAYING OR NOT VACCINATING OUR CHILDREN.
Let me know when any major research company has the guts to actually find out what would happen....
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