Vaccines and am I doing the right thing?

[Maret00]

I have an 18mo old boy and he is fairly healthy (breastfeed all his life and not stoping anytime soon) has been hit with ear infections once he turned one. We are going to have to put tubes in his ears (I had them so its not a big deal to me). I have chosen to keep the vaccines he has gotten to a minimum. My feeling on vaccines is they are important for at risk children and formula feed children (I think they are at risk also). He has the tetnis and polio and some of the older vaccines that the doc and I have talked about. She felt he really had to have some of them (the doc still didnt think he had enough but cant let go that they are chemicles and shouldnt be in a child that young). Well the doc left the practice and we went to another doc that had been their and our old doc had suggested him, said he wouldnt fight us on the vaccines as much.

Well we saw him for his ear infections and sent us to a ENT. We went back to the doc for his 18mo check up and he asked about his shot I told him I wasnt getting any more at this time (I like to spred them out and know what ones I am getting ahead of time) he kind of shut down on me (he also didnt seem very breastfeeding friendly). He just told me that I need to get them done. I told him that I was waiting for my son to get bigger (he is only 24lbs we are a small family). I should also say I live in Tucson and we had the biggest out brake of missels in the nation "20 people" got and no one had any long term problems. The doc also told me that one of the newer vaccines, minaccal or something like that, may have prevented my sons ear infections (now he is going to have the seguary). And why didnt he mention it prior when he was having all the ear infections (he saw him for at least 3 of them)? I dont know if the shot would have helped the ear infections but I dont want to wait and see if the shot works and if it doesnt then have him go though the ear infections again (his fever was almost 105 and he loses wieght and he is in pain).

My son does go to day care and hasnt gotten anything other then an runny nose. Only ever has had fevers with an ear infection. The summer is coming and getting sick goes down in the summer. I want to know what you think would you get more vaccines? Would you get a new doc that would be more engaging or willing to disscuse things with you?

[Sputterduck]

My son hasn't had any vaccines at all. He will have them when and if he is ever at risk for any vaccine preventable diseases.

Since your son gets ear infections, if there is a vaccine to help that, I would certainly look into it if I were you. I'm sorry the doctor was being a jerk.

[Peanut1207]

One of the shots has significantly cut down on ear infections in some children and I'm guessing this si the shot he is referring to. It's the pneumococcal vax.

[Maret00]

Yah that was it but there is still no way for me to know if it will work with him.

[Peeka2]

I would get a second opinion. If I say it once I can say it a thousand times. When in doubt see a different dr. If you don't feel he tells you everything in a way that makes you understand it then find someone who does. :)

[Meredith]

I would be interested in a second opinion as well.

We delay vaxing significantly (DSs are 3 and 1 and haven't been vaxed yet), but if either one of them were suffering from a chronic illness (like the ear infections) that could possibly be prevented by a vaccine (I'd do some research on this myself to verfiy that, in addition to discussing it with a few HCPs), then I would consider getting it. I also might be more likely to get certain vaxes if my kids were in daycare.

[joshsmom]

"The Vaccine Book" by Dr Sears is an easy read, non-biased and may help answer your questions. I'd likely get pneumococcal if I had a child in day care. Honestly, Leah had a horribly sickly winter and she's not in daycare. I talked with two pediatric nurse/np friends and now have some regret about that decision because her older brother is in PK and it seems he definitely carried a lot home she wasn't ready to handle.

At the end of the day, every parent needs to weigh out the risks and benefits on their own.

[Peanut1207]

Sorry I had to run after getting out one sentence. Every parent needs to make the appropriate decision for their child. That being said every parent needs to be well informed on the pros and cons of every vaccine. We have an alternate vaccine schedule and I totally understand your concern with the loads of shots they want our kids to get so quickly. You never really have a 100% garuntee that a vax will prevent an illness in your child so no maybe the pnemococcal wouldn't have prevented ear infections in your child, but it may have. You'll probably never know. I think you need to switch providers and do some serious research into the entire vaccine thing before making your decisions. If I had a child in daycare (which I do not) I would have vaxed much differently because they are exposed to so much more just by being around so many other kids regularly. I would also find another doctor because you don't seem comfortable with the one you are currently working with. Tubes are a big deal and I wouldn't just go along with it. I would also highly recommend Dr. Sears Vaccine Book as a PP stated. Please do your research.

[Maret00]

I talked with the ENT and he said that the ear infections that my son is getting wouldnt be affected by the shot so I feel better about it. I started him on a few shots at 3mo and he is almost do with the set and then when thoughs are finished I am going to see which ones I want to go to next but it will be when the he is compleatly healed from the sergery. I do feel better with my desision I spent the weekend reserching the shot and other shot information.
His daycare has a very small class and since I do selfpaced classes for the school so if I feel he is getting anything I can stay home with him or my husband or my mom so he is well watched out for. Also the day care is to call me if he is even playing with his ears.

[Maret00]

I went back this week to get my son a booster because he had to have it! Well apparently not because there is a shortage on them the doc said he doesnt have to have it! Can you believe it! I did talk to him about another shot he said I should get him since he was done with the round he has. But it was like pulling teeth to get the information I wanted about the shot and the reasons to get it.

[JulieBaby]

I believe it is your decision and no one elses. Ped cannot force you to receive treatment unless it is something life threatning.

Now I will never understand why people choose to delay vaccines, but again that a personal decision. My 4 year old is up to date on all shots, boys still need any vaccines from the 15 month old stage and up.

[BeachMama]

I think your doc sounds kind of difficult. I'd seek a new one. And do a lot of reading on vaccines in the meantime.

Out of curiosity, how many ear infections has your son had? And was he treated w/ antibiotics each time? Were they all 'bad' ear infections or were some of them mild?

[Maret00]

He has had 6 or 7 ear infections. The first ones wernt that bad but he was in alot of pain and couldnt sleep (me have never had him sick before was clueless). But around the 2nd or 3rd one they were double ear infections then the last one they couldnt get it to go away with what they had first perscriped and after a week had to give him stronger stuff that made him sick. :confused: His fever went up to almost 105. Had to bath him and I was really worried! :(

[BeachMama]

Sounds like he probably started to built up an intolerance to the antibiotics if they were prescribed every single time. Did you ever try any herbal remedies?

I'm sorry that he has to get tubes. I hope it brings him some relief.

[Maret00]

I have never tried herbal remedies as I dont know much about them. What can you tell me about them? I did try to let it go on its own once during the weekend as I have herd that ear infections can go away on there own with time. I didnt like it he was in so much pain! I think if he had milder ear infections then I would be more ok with it but as he gets them hard and fast I think the doc is the right way to go. I have been told he may still get ear infections after the tubs are in place but they will drane on their own and wouldnt be as bad that is when I would prefer to ride it out.