I know this issue is pretty controversial, but I'm interested in people's opinions and schedules.
My DD just went for her 9 month check up and we refused the flu shot, partly because she already has an ear infection and goes to day care tomorrow (Friday's would work better in case she gets a fever). Also, partly because I'm weary of all of the shots that our babies get these days. I think I only got 4-8 when I was young.
I've followed the immunization schedule as recommended thusfar because I just didn't realize the quantity of shots she'll need, but now am thinking of delaying the MMR and HepA. Perhaps forgetting about the Varicella vaccine completely since I've read the immunity is only good for 5-8 years anyway.
Has anyone else thought about delaying or not getting a particular vaccine?
If you have delayed, what schedule are you using?
Thanks.

I know that Austism is a big worry for parents. BUT you just have to ask yourself one question: Would you rather risk Autism or the chance of them catching something deadly? Personally, I would rather risk my child getting Autism, which hasn't been proved that these cause them. It rather is considered to be the same age when children start showing symptoms. I have a 3 year old DD whom we immunized on time for ALL things. Plus, she had the flu shot, b/c of being around other kids alot. I now have a 4 month old DS, who is a preemie, so he is actually 2 months. He has already had his 2 month shots, and will be getting what is called a Synagis shot b/c it helps to prevent RSV. I am NOT thrilled about shots either, but it is why we, as people, can live longer. Way back when, they didn't have this technology, and so a lot of people, and children and babies died! Just due to the fact that they didn't have these available. But, to each their own. I just want my kids to grow up as healthy as possible. ;)

My two and a half year old son has autism and I am not getting any further vaccinations for my 3 months old because he is at high risk for autism, but not very high risk for most diseases because he is mostly at my house or my mom's house. I think you are right to wonder and it is worth it to do more research. I would be cautious if you have any reason to think your child is at risk (i.e. family history). It also seems that there might be a connection with how these children process proteins. My son had reflux and had to be on a special formula and now is making good progress with a wheat free/dairy free diet.

It is a hard decision. Best of luck whatever your decide.

I agree with vaccinating children. My son has had his 2 month vaccines and is scheduled for his 4 month vaccines in a couple weeks. I know there's a lot of controversy on this and a lot of people think MMR causes autism but I'm not going to go there. EVEN if it DOES, I'd rather my child have to deal with autism than possibly die from the measles or something. Also, bear in mind that smallpox used to run rampant but, thanks to widespread vaccinating, has been wiped out in this country. If people continue to properly vaccinate, other diseases can go the way of smallpox and less vaccines would be necessary for future generations.

I have to agree that vaccinating can be a scary thing for a parent. The choice is solely in your hands. You have to do what you feel is right for you and your family. I get my kids all of their shots. Autism scares me, but since there is only speculation at this time, I would rather not risk my child's health on just a big hunch and not proven fact that vaccines cause autism. The reason children today get more and more vaccines than, say you or I did as children, is because we as humans have built up a tolerance to antibiotics and so on, so the strains of these things are stronger and more aggressive. TB is even back. I can't risk my child getting something that may cause death. My grandmother suffers from polio. Knowing it's preventable, I feel I need to prevent my child from getting it. I do feel that there are too many shots all at once. I wish they would space them out a bit more. Good luck with your decision.

Personally, I get my kids all of the required shots but not usually the optional ones. HepA is optional, so I chose not to do that one. I also look into the specific disease that the vaccine is supposed to prevent to make the call. There is a new one that they wanted to give DS at 2 months. I don't recall the specific disease, but basically it causes diarrhea, which could lead to dehydration and hospitalization. If my baby has diarrhea, regardless of the cause, the first thing I'm going to do is be aware of the possibility of dehydration and contact the pediatrician anyway, so I didn't think that one was worth the risk. The doctor told me I made a good point and didn't bother trying to convince me any further. Something as serious as menangitis or polio I'm not willing to mess with, though. I did get the optional Gardacil vaccine for my 12-year-old, but she's older and not getting a number of vaccines every couple of months like the little ones are, and if it can prevent certain types of cancer, I'm not willing to chance that one either.

If you're concerned about the MMR, you can have that one given at 15 months instead of a year. I think the CDC website has an alternative immunization schedule where you can spread them out over a longer period of time but still get the required immunizations. You can also mention you concern to your doctor and they can recommend an alternative schedule (probably the same one as the CDC).

I do agree that most of these vaccines are good, but my concern is the time frame really. These little babies get so many during such a short period of their lives when we really don't know the effects on their immune system.
I don't think the HepB vaccine is necessary at that age considering how the virus is contracted, through bodily fluids, etc... That one really could be delayed until the kid is like 10 years old in my opinion.
I will most likely have DD vaccinated with the entire schedule, but maybe over 10 years instead.
I'm a little concerned over Autism as well since I think it's not necessarily one particular vaccine, but the overload on the immune system combined with environmental and genetic factors. So, DD will have the MMR vaccine, but just debating when...

My DD is 17 months old and I denied the MMR shot at his 12 month visit. We have, since his first set of shots, spaced them out. He'll get two shots, then wait 2 or 3 weeks, then go back for another, etc. I was freaked out with MMR, for all the media reason and because my son is a head rocker. He rocks his head to soothe himself. While it is an austism trait, I don't think he's austistic, as this is the only thing he does. All else is completely normal. However, because my DH has a cousin who is on the sprectrum, coupled with my DD's head banging habit, we decided to hold off.

BUT.....at his 18 month well check we are going to give him JUST the mumps vaccination. My doctor said I can request them broken up. She said of the three (mumps, measles, rubella) the mumps was the only one that has life-long effects; it can make a boy sterile. So we have decided to give him just that one and wait a little bit for the other two, which I we'll also give separately. I, too, believe it's a lot for these little bodies to process all at once. So, if you're comfortable, an option would be to request only one at a time.

Although I am not concerned with autism and vaccinations, I do agree that they get too many shots at such a young age and I plan to space them apart for now on. It is really up to you. My son WILL have all his shots by age 4, but I plan to space them out over the next 3 years.