More Vaccination Research
As I am wont to do, I am now obsessed with vaccinations. I have learned so much is the last 12 hours.
First, I looked up exactly what vaccinations Matilda has had. Here is the list:
2 Months
Haemophilus influenzae (Hib), Pneumococcal conjugate, Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP), Rotavirus, Polio, Hepatitis B
4 Months
Same as above
6 Months
Pneumococcal conjugate, Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP), Rotavirus, Polio
12 Months
Pneumococcal conjugate, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A
That means that when she was a tiny little 2 month baby, she was getting vaccinated for 8 things at once! I am kind of taken aback now that I have reviewed it all.
I also found out that my assumption that all the vaccines were necessary for school admission was false. NYC public schools only require the following for kindergarten admissions:
- Dtap: 4 doses (Matilda has had 3)
- Polio: 3 doses (Matilda has had 3)
- MMR: 2 doses (Matilda has had 0)
- Hepatitis B: 3 doses (Matilda has had 3)
- Varicella: 1 dose (kids aren’t supposed to get chicken pox anymore ?!?! – Matilda has had 0)
So that means that to enter school, she actually is not required to have the following vaccines:
- Hepatitis A (Matilda has had 1)
- Pneumococcal conjugate (Matilda has had 4)
- Rotavirus (Matilda has had 3)
- Haemophilus influenzae – Hib (Matilda has had 2)
Julianna gave me a free copy of Dr. Sear’s vaccination book which I am studying intently.
Matilda has the following remaining vaccinations scheduled:
- 1 more DTap and maybe one more at 4 years
- 1 more Hib (not required for school)
- 1 MMR within the next 6 months and 1 more at 4 years
- 1 Varicella (Chicken pox) and maybe one more at 4 years
- Unknown number of Hep A vaccinations
I am going to read up on these so I can make informed decisions on when (and if) Matilda will get these shots. Dr. Sears recommends an alternate immunization schedule and I might decided to do a modified version for the future. More later..
Comment on my above post, Rotavirus it turns out is a very common virus that is only dangerous to babies. Thats why its not required for school, but its probably required for day care.
Pneumococcal infections and Haemophilus influenzae are also pretty common in babies but are not significant diseases once they are no longer infants.
Hi Janey, thanks for the info. And please pass the book along when you’re done! This vaccination schedule that our doctors insist on is antiquated. I have been planning on spacing out Manuel’s vaccinations starting with the next round scheduled for 12 months and then having his MMR shot split into 3 separate doses as well. If I had realized what he was being given at 8 weeks I would never have done it. You never know what the right decision is, but I do know that it didn’t FEEL right to have 4 shots at once and I usually trust my instincts. All mothers should. See you soon.