CNN.com and Dr. Bob help parents answer the question, “Should I vaccinate my baby?” Wednesday, June 25, 2008 CNN correspondent Elizabeth Cohen explores how parents attempt to answer this question, and how various doctors across the nation are responding to parents’ concerns, in her weekly column on www.CNN.com I believe vaccines are very important and have played a tremendous role in limiting many serious diseases in our country, as do all of the doctors interviewed by Elizabeth for her column. However, more and more parents are concerned and want to take an approach that varies from the regular CDC schedule. I believe that if more and more doctors offer parents such options, we will have better vaccination rates than we are seeing now. Here are just a few of the options that Elizabeth presented in her column: Don’t give the Hepatitis B vaccine to newborns in the hospital. Because this shot can cause fever, lethargy, and poor feeding (problems you don’t want to see in a newborn), it’s better to delay this shot for the first two months of life, especially since the disease doesn’t even occur in newborns (it’s a sexually-transmitted disease). Checking “titers” (blood immunity levels) for various shots before doing boosters. Some kids don’t need some of the booster shots at age 5 years because their original infant series may still be working just fine. While this is a costly and time-consuming approach, some parents prefer it instead of automatically getting all the boosters. Getting fewer shots at each infant checkup and spreading the shots out over more time. This is the hallmark of Dr. Bob’s Alternative Vaccine Schedule. Limiting large combination shots. Some parents prefer to split some of the combo shots into separate components to decrease the chance of a reaction. While we don’t know if this precaution even helps, it is an option that some doctors like to provide for concerned parents. The bottom line is that more and more parents want options. If we don’t provide them with options they are comfortable with, more parents will opt out of vaccines altogether. We will then see more and more disease fatalities and complications. Dr. Bob Labels: Alternative Vaccine Schedule posted by Sears Family @ 9:44 AM   30 Comments: At June 25, 2008 11:00 AM ,  Clemntine said... As a midwife who serves a large number of non-vaccinating families, I am thrilled and relieved to be able to recommend The Vaccine Book and this site to parents who are open to considering more than just the "yes, we vaccinate" or "no, we don't" options. As a mother expecting baby number 5 (number 3 has autism), I'm excited to introduce our family doctor to the Alternative Vaccine Schedule. I feel good knowing that I'm doing all I can to provide my children the very best chance for a healthy childhood and a long life.   At June 27, 2008 1:50 PM ,  Anonymous said... what about infant born to Hep B positive moms? Do the infant really need 4 shots of Hep B? or 3 according to the schedule?   At June 27, 2008 1:54 PM ,  Anonymous said... Dr. Bob, what about vaccines ingredient and children with food allergies? Can you do a book on that please??   At June 27, 2008 2:33 PM ,  Dr. Bob Sears said... Hep B pos moms - babies just need 3 doses. Food allergies and vax ingredients? Not sure I could put a whole book together on that.   At July 1, 2008 9:11 AM ,  kim said... Hi Dr. Bob, should children with allergies to milk, egg, etc. be given the vaccines containing these ingredients? I'm very concern about my 9 month old breast feed who were taking formula fine 3 times until she started amoxicillin for her ear infection. Now she gets hives and vomits from the infant formula. I'm allergic to soy, so we didn't try soy formula. We read your book and decided to spread out her vaccines. Should we be worry about the vaccines?   At July 2, 2008 12:53 PM ,  Dr. Bob said... Egg allergy is the only one I know of - egg is used in MMR and flu shots.   At July 14, 2008 2:27 PM ,  Julia said... Dr. Bob - I know our doctor feels our choice to stagger vaccinations is futile, and I'm very anxious about my sons 2 mth appointment tomorrow. Do you have any words of wisdom for me as I go into the appointment? I am hoping that our Dr. will hear me out and accept my wishes to stagger our vaccines. Our family loves this doctor and we don't feel like searching for a new pediatrician - especially because this issue should not be insurmountable about us - essentially, we're on the same page, we both want a vaccinated child at the end of the day. Only I am more pushy about making sure it's the safest it can be. Could you give me some more concrete reasons for why a delayed schedule is a good idea so that I can go in there with more confidence? I feel she is desiring more scientific evidence, and less "mommy hunch." I promise, I won't quote you :) Many thanks!   At July 14, 2008 4:51 PM ,  Anonymous said... Julia, Dr. Bob posted in the "vaccination discussion forum" that he is on vacation until August. You may want to post your question there and others will give you their opinions.. to take or leave. :)   At July 24, 2008 8:38 AM ,  EdwinsonFamily said... Dr. Sears, I would like to know if there have been any studies, or if you have been able to note in your patient population, a difference in number of children being dx with autism because of a staggered vaccine schedule. The alternative schedule makes common sense to me, but I have to wonder if any true gains are being made. Thanks.   At August 1, 2008 6:57 AM ,  Laura said... Hi Dr. Sears, Just wondering about your thoughts on the seemingly increased instances of Autism and the higher premature birth survival rate. Do you think that there are more instances of Autism because there are more premies? Just wondering, Laura   At August 6, 2008 7:21 AM ,  Anonymous said... Hepatitus B is NOT just a sexually transmitted disease, it is a blood born pathogen and can be transmitted several ways. Consider this when making decisions about Hep. B vaccination for your child.   At August 7, 2008 6:17 AM ,  Anonymous said... Dr. Sears, As a pediatrician, I recently had a consultation with a family who is interested in using an alternative vaccine schedule (namely yours). As I am open to this possibility, I visited your web site for the first time. I am dissapointed that I can not find the schedule anywhere. After wading through countless advertisements for "brainy kids" fruit chews, goats milk, and of course your very own sling, it seems that one has to purchase your book to view this information. Many alternative vaccine people are constantly complaining how "big pharma" is in this for the money, but after viewing your site I would have to question the same of you. If your main interest is really the health of the children then why not make this information free for everybody?   At August 11, 2008 8:46 AM ,  Anonymous said... Dear Pediatrician, I'm glad to hear that you are open to an alternative vaccine schedule. Many of us parents are willing to leave our pediatricians if they don't start to take our concerns seriously. Dr. Sears' alternative vaccine schedule is, indeed, on his web site and available to all. The page where I found it was: http://www.askdrsears.com/ \thevaccinebook/index.asp. It appears on the right-hand side of the page under "Dr. Bob's Blog Categories". Hope this helps.   At August 11, 2008 1:08 PM ,  Anonymous said... I am concerned about the statement that Hep B doesn't occur in newborns because it's a sexually transmitted disease. This is not entirely true and quite honestly, a very dangerous statement. It can occur many different ways. I am a Hep B carrier myself - and not by sexual transmission, but because my mother was a carrier, too. I opted to get the Hep B vaccine for my daughter when she was born last month because I wanted to stop the cycle. Please try to remember that there are plenty of people who don't have Hep B as a result of STD. Some people who aren't as educated on Hep B might not realize this.   At August 18, 2008 5:43 PM ,  Anonymous said... Dr Sears, As concerned parents approaching their son's 8wk kick off to the multi-vaccine orama, we would be very interested to hear your response to the Pediatricians' posting, dtd 8/07/08. We, too, find it a bit suspect to learn that the only way we can better educate ourselves re: the alternative vaccination schedule you profess is to buy your book. We have read and applied other baby practices of yours with much success. We are disappointed that this alternative schedule is not available . We anxiously anticipate your return from vacation so that we can understand your position and rationale for not sharing this information more broadly.   At August 20, 2008 12:09 PM ,  everettsmom said... Dr. Is it safe to bring a 9-month old boy to Mexico (he will be that age when we go) who has not been vaccinated - this is for a week long vacation in a 5-star resort? He is currently 5 months old. I want to wait until 24 month+ to start slowly vaccinating, but am afraid of pertussis and tetanus. If I get him 1 DTaP at 8 months would that be safe or would be not be immune by 9 months old anyway? Please help. I have mental retardation and autism in my family.   At August 21, 2008 8:25 AM ,  Emily said... Just like many other parents who visit your site I am concerned about vaccinations and the risk of giving them to my child. I have chosen to delay vaccinating my children until I feel that it is right. As the time approaches to vaccinate I am interested in an alternative schedule. However, when I visited your site I was disappointed that I was unable to achieve a copy of the schedule w/o purchasing your book. Just like the good ped. who posted earlier, I too would like to know why the alternative vaccination schedule is not available for free. I know you probably put a lot of work into the book that you wrote and that monetary compensation for your work is important. But, if this alternative schedule will help parents make better decisions and protect their children then why not make it available for free?   At August 26, 2008 3:36 PM ,  Anonymous said... I still don't see a graph or a summary of the alternative schedule, and I followed the instructions above posted by the pediatrician. I am hoping that there is one that is posted in a graph form like the one for the American Pediatrics 2007 Schedule.   At September 8, 2008 10:56 AM ,  Anonymous said... I'm interested to know whether a titers test can be done on an infant younger than 15 months. We are vaccinating our son on an alternative schedule, I would like to have a titers test drawn before givin him the final hep b booster. Our dr, who has been very understanding regarding my delaying certain vaccinations, suggested that testing a child under 15 months often yield inaccurate results. Thank you CJ's Mommy   At September 10, 2008 9:04 PM ,  Anonymous said... Does anyone see the "official" alternative schedule created by Dr. Sears? Not seeing it at the link below when clicking on "Alternative Vaccination Schedule" --it just kicks back to the same discussion page. Anyone...? Bueller...Bueller? http://www.askdrsears.com/ \thevaccinebook/index.asp   At October 12, 2008 4:33 PM ,  Anonymous said... seriously, where is the darn schedule? I am getting my baby vaccinated Tuesday and was told this site had an alternative schedule...i can't find it anywhere. WTF?   At October 12, 2008 4:38 PM ,  Anonymous said... Link to schedule: http://thedailyhammond.blogspot.com/2008/05/dr-sears-alternate-vaccine-schedule.html   At January 6, 2009 11:44 AM ,  Amanda said... Dr. Sears: I couldn't agree with you more! I would most likely consider vaccinations for my 4 month old daughter if I could find a pediatrician that honored a delayed vaccination schedule. However, since I cannot find one willing to work with me, I have chosen not to vaccinate at all. I really appreciate your books open-minded and objective stance on the vaccinate issue. Thank you!   At January 7, 2009 1:35 PM ,  Anonymous said... Vaccinations have been around for several decades. What about all the children who received vaccinations at the recommended schedule and who are just fine. What about the children who are behind and received all the catch up vaccines and who are just fine. Has anyone checked the numbers? The United States is fortunate to be free of diseases like polio and smallpox thanks to vaccinations.   At January 9, 2009 8:13 AM ,  Kimberly said... Several decades ago, there was not as many vaccines. Even when I was a kid (70s), I received only 10 or so over a five year period. Now there are over 30 given before the age of 2. So without that knowledge "anonymous", your point is moot. Over vaccination is a real issue and can compromise the immune system. You can't just give numerous vaccines over a small period of time. This is not a simple "yes we vaccinate" "No we don't" blog. Yes vaccines have been one of the greatest inventions and this blog does not denounce that. Several decades ago the recommended schedule was fine because there were fewer vaccines. Period. Now, it is way too much too soon. This blog is about empowering parents with knowledge to vaccinate their children safely. The use of titers to check if they need the second shot, having them spread out over a longer period of time and perhaps resisting the "combo" shots and having them individually, is the best solution for so many reasons. My mom had titers done even then and some shots were not given a second time. I couldn't find my vaccination records and had titers done in my late twenties. I received a list of all the vaccines I had as a child! Why give something a child does not need? There is a lot of resistance because this means less money to pharm companies (I have worked with them and know what they are about) and more time on the side of doctors. I also understand why the recommended schedule is what it is because children are out more, in daycare, and socialized earlier. We have already seen the issues regarding over-vaccination in pets. The use of titers are now mainstream in vet practices. Why not for our kids?   At January 26, 2009 9:11 AM ,  bfg said... http://barbfeick.com/vaccinations/ Here is some new information for everyone that I only recently became aware of. Vaccines and medicine is not subject to the same laws as food. They are allowed to have "secret ingredients" that are protected by trade law. What are the secret ingredients? Can't list them all: Peanut oil, soy oil, wheat germ oil, skim milk powder, sesame oil... The list goes on and on. Oils are used in vaccine adjuvants. Things like milk powder can be used in the culture medium. Very little of the protein from these foods will remain in the vaccine. Very little is not the same as none. Not every shot will have protein from peanut in it, for example. But peanut allergy has become a growing problem since the number of childhood vaccinations was increased about 5 years ago. Physicians and pharmacists need to have full information of medicine ingredients to fully protect the health of their patients.   At March 9, 2009 7:19 PM ,  Anonymous said... First, to give some background, I am a pediatrician and a mother with a strong family history of autism spectrum disorder (a nephew, a brother, several uncles). I have done large amounts of research into the vaccine "controversies" and soul searching of my own with the issue of vaccinations. I have read Dr. Sear's book as well as multiple others and have read most of the comments on this blog. First, the number of antigens that we exposed kids to during an episode of vaccines 20 years ago was much greater than the number of antigens we expose kids to now, even though we now protect kids from more diseases now. Believe it or not, immunizations are more refined. And on the theme of protecting your child's immune system from being exposed to tons of viruses? A round of immunizations is a small fraction compared to what you expose your child to in an office visit. Second, kids die and have died from Measles in the United States within the last several years, as well as Meningococcemia, Pneumococcemia, and Pertussis. The first symptom of pertussis in an infant is not breathing, not something you typically hear. It is extremely contagious, and it definitely has NOT been irradicated. Ever here of "never say never?" In science, you can never say never, we can say it is statistically not possible, but we can never say never. There are times when you just have to take a deep breath and have some trust that your pediatrician, the lowest paid of the physicians alongside family physicians, truly chose their job because they love children and want what is best for them, and their advice is based on the knowledge of people they trust and those 7 years of training beyond college which must be worth something. So finally, what kills me the most about this issue? All the time that is being taken away from what should be spent on talking about normal development, turning off the TV, interacting, and all the things that truly can decrease the intensity and severity of autism, and improve the bonding of the parents to their child, and reduce some of the stress of parenting. Also all the money that is being put into killing the dead horse instead of now looking into things that may actually be useful. Further, the experts who are actually well meaning are being threatened, sued, and intimidated because of the radical minority who are against immunizations. My schedule will be put 30 minutes behind because a family wants to spend 45 minutes talking about not getting their immunizations only to choose not to get them and some innocent baby ends up getting a vaccine preventable disease because of bad information.   At May 15, 2009 12:37 PM ,  Renita said... Dr. Bob, My daughter just turned two at the beginning of May and we have not vaccinated her yet. She is still breastfed and I have been giving her probiotics since she was a month old and started Fish Oil around 10 months old. I want to slowly vaccinate (obviously) and was wondering what schedule do you recommend when your starting at age 2. Also can you do less because of her age? I am in Virginia and would rather not do the religious exemption unless there is a reaction. What is the absolute minimum that still fullfills school requirements? Thanks so very much.   At May 15, 2009 12:49 PM ,  Anonymous said... I read everything anyone ever read about vaccines and this is what I came up with for our son and our Dr agreed and tweaked a bit - haven't got to the titers tests yet so not sure how that will go - but this is the plan. 11 months: Pediarix #1 combo shot for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Polio 12 months: 1 year appt. Prevnar #1 for meningitis 16 months: Pediarix #2 combo shot for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Polio 19 months: Act-HIB flu shot 21 months: Prevnar #2 for meningitis 22 months: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Polio titers to determine if 3rd Pediarix is required or individual IPV/DTaP later. Also titer for meningitis if such a test exists then to determine remaining shots for Meninigitis at that time 28 months old: MMR #1 – Measles, Mumps, Rubella 3 years old: If he has not had chickenpox yet, then varivax vaccine 4 years old: Hepatitis A vaccine, titers for MMR to determine if another MMR dose, or one, or two individual shots required.   At October 13, 2009 4:30 PM ,  Tarah said... Dr. Bob, Have you seen Dr. Moulden's findings that ALL vaccines are causing ischemia (stroke) as a result of their ADDITIVE effect, meaning it is the cumulation of the harm of the chemicals shot after shot that is causing the brain to be deprived of oxygen, in essence stroke, and result in autoimmune disorders, "autism", etc. Spacing the shots out wouldn't void this additive effect, would it? We have since changed from the alternative schedule to avoiding all future vaccines until safer ones can be made available without the thimersol, aluminum, and squalene. Check out the research here: http://vactruth.com/2009/08/03/vaccinations-are-causing-impaired-blood-flow-ischemia-chronic-illness-disease-and-death-for-us-all-hp/   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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