Larry King Show Continues to Raise Questions About Vaccines and Autism Thursday, April 3, 2008 Last night’s show was a great mix of pro-vaccine doctors, doctors who have some concerns about vaccines, and parents who are demanding a different vaccine schedule. While everyone on both sides had good things to say, as expected there really was no conclusion reached and most parents are still probably just as confused as ever. I’ve looked at all the research, and I’m still confused as well. There is no clear answer on whether or not vaccines contribute to autism. But there is one thing that is very clear – more research needs to be done. Well, make that two things – more and more parents are going to decline vaccines unless they are offered an alternative vaccine schedule. So, while the scientists, doctors, government officials, and parents battle it out over the next couple of decades, here’s what YOU, the concerned and confused parent with a little baby waiting for vaccines, can do NOW. Educate yourself about all the pros and cons of vaccines, understand the risk of diseases versus the rare risk of a vaccine side effect, look at all the research that does exist so far, and when you do decide you are comfortable beginning shots, vaccinate according to my Alternative Vaccine Schedule or my Selective Vaccine Schedule. I do believe change is in the wind, but it may be a very gentle breeze that takes many years to fill the sails (nice metaphor, huh? Or is that a simile? Never could get that straight. Maybe it’s an analogy). For now, I encourage parents to follow one of my suggested vaccine schedules. Labels: Alternative Vaccine Schedule posted by Dr. Bob Sears @ 2:40 PM   26 Comments: At April 3, 2008 10:18 PM ,  Anonymous said... Funny, I also live and work in Orange County, and almost every caring pediatrician I know, and there are many, would never kick patients out of their practice for not vaccinating, or for asking too many questions. I care for dozens of families who have held off the start of vaccinations, but there is no scientific justification for PROMOTING alternative or selective vaccinations. Michael Rubin in LaHabra has written about working with his families on this matter, Robin Epstein in Irvine works supportively in this way. In fact, in my experience, it would be quite hard to find a completely inflexible Orange County pediatrician who would refuse to engage families in a two-way discussion on these matters. An odd moment occurred on Larry King's show when Jenny McCarthy waived the list of vaccine-preventable diseases at Dr. Karp, as if it's length was a condemnation of doctors and the pharmaceutical industry, when in fact, it represents advances to prevent suffering and risk of death for America's children. All parents should be mindful of the risks they assume for their own and other children by delaying vaccinations. Parents of autistic children know their children often display great distress with illness and medical care. Their children particularly deserve the protection of full vaccination. The use of the nasal flu vaccine, for example, may prevent weeks of illness, and for some autistic children, illness-associated metabolic stress. This vaccine does not have the thimerosal found in the flu vaccine for children over three years. Starting next year, it will be recommended for nearly all children. If the science supporting this new recommendation leaves you confused, Dr. Sears, pediatric infectious disease specialists and research scientists will gladly field questions and offer explanations for you and your concerned parents. The 'Red Book' is a good place to start to review a thoughtful medical consensus based on careful science. Marc Lerner, Pediatrician   At April 4, 2008 12:48 AM ,  Dr. Bob Sears said... Hey Marc. Thanks for the comments. I get about 2 or 3 new patients each week who didn't just leave their pediatrician because of vaccines, they were kicked out. It's very common. Now, I do agree with you that there probably are a number of peds in the OC that won't kick patients out, and I'm happy to hear that that's been your experience. As for the alternative vaccine approach, I think more and more parents will want it and peds will need to continue to increase their flexibility in this area.   At April 4, 2008 1:49 AM ,  Catherina said... Happy wave to Dr. Lerner who was our ped in Irvine 11 years ago. (yesm the one with the 5 shots at her 12 months visit)   At April 4, 2008 12:51 PM ,  Catherina said... BTW, once I got over the excitement of seeing Dr. Lerner here, I must say that I agree with him.   At April 4, 2008 2:25 PM ,  Anonymous said... I believe Parents do have the right to delay how many shots their children receive at one time. There was a time not so long ago when it was unheard of to give a 2 month old as many shots as are now in the suggested AAP schedule. I am 36 years old and have strong memories of receiving a booster shot when I was much older and my generation (relating to vaccines) turned out just fine. Doctors are not GOD. There have been documented cases of Vaccines causing horrible side effects and they have been pulled from the market and reformulated. In my opinion, any Doctor who is inflexible to even hear the parents concern (and the facts that our children are guinnea pigs and yes, there are shots that are pulled and reformulated) doesn't deserve to be in practice. Shame on you doctors that think you and the Drug companies are the Gospel.   At April 5, 2008 11:41 AM ,  Anonymous said... DR. Sears I am wondering what your thoughts are on the Cal-Oregon Unvaccinated Survey done by Generation Rescue. Here is the link to the study: http://www.generationrescue.org/survey.html I am really interested in your opinion. Thanks!   At April 5, 2008 12:52 PM ,  Dr. Bob Sears said... Interesting study with results to think about. I would say that one obvious weakness in the study is that the two study groups were not the same size. Whenever you are going to do a study comparing groups, they need to be the same size. In this study, only 991 kids were part of the unvaxed group, and almost 17,000 were in the vaxed group. The obvious criticism here would be that a higher percentage of neurologic problems could statistically show up in the group of 17,000 vaxed kids than in the small groups of 991 unvaxed kids. A more proper way to do this study would be to either gather a larger unvaxed group, OR get a smaller vaxed group to compare. I wonder what type of data they would show if they radonly picked 991 of the vaxed kids. Would there be a difference? Another thing that is usually done is the two groups should be matched for various factors, such as economic and parental education and various other factors so these don't skew the results. So, overall an interesting study, but in my mind all it does is speak to the need for a larger, better study. I don't think we can draw definate conclusions from it. Dr. Bob   At April 5, 2008 2:12 PM ,  Catherina said... Rubbish telephone poll that "finds" a rate of 1 in 25 unvaccinated GIRLS and BOYS have an autistic spectrum disorder. Absolutely useless. The $200'000 that this poll cost AFAIK would have paid a special ed teacher for quite some years (just as an idea to what better use the GenRes money could have been put).   At April 7, 2008 6:10 PM ,  Classy Mommy said... Classy Mommy readers are loving the current interview we just posted with you! Thanks again for writing your book to help educate parents to enable us to make the best decision for our children. Your blog is a super resource to engage readers and generate conversations so we can hear your take on the latest "vaccine" news. Thanks! I will continue to visit to hear your thoughts and share info with my Classy Mommy audience.   At April 10, 2008 8:27 PM ,  The Browns said... please let me know where I can find the alternative schedule. Thanks   At April 11, 2008 1:03 PM ,  Dr. Bob said... In the last chapter of the book.   At April 15, 2008 11:44 PM ,  Jay Gordon, MD, FAAP said... I can't believe that my sense of admiration for your book and your courage is going to overwhelm my jealousy: I wish I had written your excellent "Vaccine" book! Has anyone "Googled" Dr. Tayloe Senior? He had a bit of a $3.5 million mishap involving a DPT vaccine back in 1985. His son, my panel mate on"Larry King" may have been influenced by this occurrence. Harvey Karp's point of view and disrespect were disappointing. He's a fine man and a smart doctor. Yes, as Dr. Bob says, America can tolerate dissent about vaccines and choice because of herd immunity. A small number of parents choosing alternatives to the vaccine schedule--or no vaccines--will not adversely affect public health. The real goal should be to closely examine all toxin exposure. AND, to develop safer vaccines for those who want or need them. Children's immune systems are not well respected. Best, Jay drjaygordon.com   At April 20, 2008 1:39 PM ,  Anonymous said... A commissioner at the LA County Court ordered last week that my toddler resume vaccinations following the CDC guidelines. I have fought to not resume his vaccines after he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes over a year ago coupled with chronic vomiting now for over one year. He was also, just last week, diagnosed with a rare stomach disease affecting less than 25 people world wide and it seems to be auto-immune linked. His father has fought to get every vaccine resumed - I lost. I have been ordered to resume his vaccines beginning immediately. The courts have no place ordering medical procedures - I even asked - begged - that he allow me to get a second opinion on type 1 and the rare stomach disorder and vaccines - he disallowed me the right to a second opinion and ordered the vaccines resume immediately.   At April 20, 2008 9:09 PM ,  Trudy said... I am a mother of a four-month girl who goes in for her vaccinations again tomorrow. I am SO glad I got your book and that you have this website. My doctor was open to the idea of an alternative vaccination schedule, especially after I waved your book in her face. I'm trying to determine whether to go with the selective schedule or the alternative schedule you propose in the later pages. My daughter didn't have any negative reactions to the vaccinations at birth or at her two-month check-up - but that was before I read your book. Had I known all this, I would have demanded a spread-out vax schedule. Even so, THANK YOU.   At April 25, 2008 9:25 PM ,  Anonymous said... Dr. Sears, thanks for writing an informative and engaging book on vaccines. After reading the section on aluminium I was a bit upset that my child had received so much in his shots at birth and 2/4/6 months (Hep B,Pediatrix). Thank goodness I read your book before the onslaught of vaccines at 1 year. Best, Kip New Mexico   At April 26, 2008 9:34 AM ,  The Browns said... I have 3 children ages 3, 2 and 2 months. My 3 and 2 year olds have been fully vaccinated up to their age. I have not vaccinated my 2 month old yet. ( I'm reading your book) I have a question about the Rotavirus vaccine. We had a terrible 2 months last year when both my kids had it, I didn't think it would ever go away, after 2 months it finally did. If I choose to give my 2 month old the vaccine, since it is live, are my 2 and 3 year old at high risk to contract it again? Since the vaccine is new they have not had it.   At April 28, 2008 11:23 AM ,  Gabriele said... I was wondering why the Pentacel vaccine is listed as containing 1500 micrograms of aluminum phosphate on the Sanofi Pasteur website, yet you updated/corrected this in your book to something like 300ish micrograms?   At May 25, 2008 10:27 AM ,  Matthew Payne said... Hello. I am one of the few children of my generation (born 1978) who's parents chose not to vaccinate after conducting their own research. I later took a full schedule of them before traveling to Africa in 2005. My wife is due June 16th with our first child and we have our first appointment with our new pediatrician next week. My wife and I have read your book in length, and have decided to follow your Selective Vaccination Schedule. At this point we are unaware as to what the reaction of our Pediatrician will be. Of greater concern is our state's (IA) exemption policy for religious beliefs. If we choose your Selective Vaccination Schedule, shots will be missing that are "required" for school attendance. Might a religious exemption be void if some shots were give under your Selective Vaccination Schedule? The Iowa Board of Public Health website does not provide any detail on this. Please advise. Great Book.   At May 28, 2008 6:57 AM ,  Trailblazer said... My husband and I have decided to follow Dr. Bob's selective schedule, which rahter nicely coincides with the plan we have been on since we stopped vaccinating our son at six months. We see that Dr. Sears' selective schedule does not call for a fourth or fifth DTap--is this because the first three DTaps given during the first six months provide adequate immunity for life--with the possible exception of Tetnus, which should be "boosted" at age 5? Do adults really need a tetnus shot every ten years? Also, my son received three prevnar shots in his first six mionths--did this provide adequate coverage as well? My doctor told us that a few years ago during a shortage of this vaccine, they were claiming that two or three shots would do the trick--then, when the supply was bolstered, the recommendation went back to 5 shots. Dr. Bob's book is the first one I have seen that addresses the issue of immunization for personal immunity versus immunization for the good of the "herd." For example, from what I gather, the second MMR shot is primarily for the greater good, not for individual immunity, which is about 95% after the first dose. I would love to know more specifics like this about the efficacy of each vaccine--level and length of immunity conferred after each dose--especially for the DTap, which I'd like to think we are done with. Thanks!   At May 31, 2008 6:21 AM ,  Anonymous said... I'm expecting my first in June. My husband and I have interviewed several pediatricians so far only to be told that they would NOT care for my son unless I choose to vaccinate; this, of course, meant vaccinate with all "recommended" vaccines. If I happened to ask about selective vaccinating, bringing up Dr. Sears' schedule I would only be told that they have "their OWN schedule" and don't go with any other. If I mentioned not vaccinating at all, then I was lectured on being bad mother not caring for my child as well as being a bad citizen for not caring about "social responsibility". Now, I have finally decided to go for a holistic doctor for a number of reasons which will cost me a good deal of money(but OK), as opposed to having a pediatrician, like all other "good" parents, who is a part of our health plan.   At June 4, 2008 8:54 AM ,  Nikole said... Dr Sears,I am a mother of a soon to be 1 year old son. My husband and I questioned giving him the scheduled vaccines all at one appt. So our pediatrician agreed to spread them out 2 at a time and 2 weeks apart. Now that he is about to have his 1 year appt, we are apprehensive on giving him the MMR and Varicella and HIB. So I purchased The Vaccine book and found it very informative and helpful, I wish I would have read it while pregnant. We would like to start following the alternative vaccine schedule, but he is current on all his shots up to a year old. How can we start following this schedule at 1 year onward?   At June 10, 2008 12:30 PM ,  Hollie22 said... My son just turned two and I has only received his first round of shots which was at a month I think. I want him to be vaccinated but just not so early on. Both myself and my husband are vaccinated as everyone else in the family and we do not do alot of socializing so I don't feel bad about waiting these first two years to vaccinate him. It's amazing how horrible that everyone can make you feel for choosing not to vaccinate! I don't understand the rush to give these children these shots, we don't give them all in one shot anyway, so why not wait until the child is two or so when they are more developed. As a parent I am very torn. I want my son to be safe and healthy, but these shot schedules are an assault on these poor childrens bodies.   At June 17, 2008 2:36 PM ,  Anonymous said... Dr. Sears, I am a new mom and I didn't get what order you suggested giving baby's shots in. She is now 4 months and hasn't had any shots. what do you recomend we start with?   At June 19, 2008 11:36 AM ,  megan k said... Just yesterday I took my son for his 2m visit. I asked the dr. if he had heard of Dr. Sears and his Alternative Schedule and that I wanted to do that.... The summary of our conversation? We agreed to disagree. He wouldn't hear of it. He gave me the speach you hear everyday on how AAP is right and he "won't stray from their schedule and my beliefs." I told him "just as he won't stray from his schedule and his beliefs, neither am I." I left shocked. I told my husband what bothers me most is I don't think he had read the book, I wish he would read the book and then form an opinion. He said, "I feel if I don't vaccinate a child for Pc and they get sick, then it is on me that the child got sick;it's my fault." I told him, "No Dr, I disagree, ultimately it's the parent's choice and responsibility." I couldn't get him to understand that I am NOT eliminating, just reorganizing. He told me, "One thing I've learned in all my years of practice is 'you can't change peoples mind when it's made up'." I repied, "You are absolutely correct; especially a mother's mind." So I left and another Dr. in his office is willing to work with me. I guess I never expected to be told 'absolutely not.' Thanks for the book, I feel wiser than some doctors. ;)   At August 24, 2008 8:11 PM ,  Anonymous said... Would everyone that keeps saying that there is no connection to Autism and Neurological disease please research the Simpsonwood transcripts? here is one link: http://www.autismhelpforyou.com/Simpsonwood_And_Puerto%20%20Rico.htm   At August 24, 2008 8:25 PM ,  Anonymous said... Here is a doctor that is published on the subject. Russell L Blaylock and the paper is "The truth behind the vaccine cover-up" I really respect what you are doing Dr. Sears and your book is very, very helpful. But there are studies that have been squashed and I feel the medical community as a whole allows this because big Pharma has such a hold in our government. I doubt that some people are aware that there is a senator that has had bills passed under the guise of homeland security bills that protect the CDC and Pharm companies from being sued. Or what about when the CDC sold ALL its case files of autism/vaccines to a private company so they could not be obtained through the freedom of information act? Why not bring up these for discussion? Even if you choose not to I know it is a very touchy topic. But thank you so much for the book. I have requested specific brands because of the information you have given us. Regards, Jennifer   Post a Comment << Home   The 12 Childhood Vaccines Vaccine-preventable Diseases Boost Your Child's Immune System FAQs Parents Who Choose not to Vaccinate Current Outbreaks and Epidemics Vaccine Discussion Forum Read Dr. Bob's Online Interviews Updates & Corrections to The Vaccine Book Find a vaccine-friendly doctor near you Alternative Vaccine Schedule American Academy of Pediatrics 2007 Vaccine Schedule Vaccine News Vaccines and Autism Vaccines and their diseases

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