Spacing Out the MMR Shots

A pediatrician should not say no to a parents request especially these days. I am spacing out my daughters shots and my pediatrician has not given me a prblem. She is going along with me. Keep looking for another pediatrician.

Hi L.
I think a lot of worrying about vaccines is useless.... Look at your own immunization history records (i actually just came across mine the other day while going through papers). By the time you were 10 months old, I bet you had minimum 10 shots (I know I did).
People are looking for answers with the recent rise in Autism diagnosis - notice I say diagnosis, and not incidence. Doctors are more inclined to diagnose children with autism nowadays - there's more awareness of what it is(some would say TOO much awareness) - who's to say the incidence is any different now than 30 years ago?
My daughter is actually going to the pediatrician tomorrow to get shots. The exact ones are slipping my mind. I think the pediatrician knows better than me as to which ones she should get and when.
PS, I'm not just talking through my hat on the autism note-I'm a psychologist and worked with this population for years.
A lot of people can make this vaccination process seem like some sort of govt conspiracy theory and its enough to drive the average person crazy. If you're going to lose sleep over it, I would say put off getting them. But it's really not a big deal.

My daughter is 2 1/2, and while I have gotten all her shots according to her pediatrician's schedule, I feel that if I wanted to space them out and my ped. told me no, I would be looking for another one. Are they not willing to reason with you? It's your baby and you have the last say on what is right for him, no matter what. I would talk to your ped againa nd tell her "I am spacing these shots out, no matter what, If you are not willing to do this, I will find another doctor" and see what she says. I think a lot of ped's easily dismiss questions because they deal with them so much even though we do not.

I am doing the same thing for my son. From what I've learned from my doctor (who doesn't necessarily think there is reason to space them out, but is supporting my decision to do so) ... I will have to go and pick up the vaccines at a compounding pharmacy and there is the 'inconvenience' of having to go to the Dr's office multiple times, but until the experts can prove that the MMR vaccine does not cause/trigger autism, I am playing it safe. So I don't think you are being ridiculous! Why take chances when it is a minor inconvenience to help ensure your son's health? I hope you find a doctor that supports your decision.

Personally I feel you are being ridiculous, but as long as babies get immunized at some point I commend people for that. Non-immunized children should not be in the same school as those who are immunized.

Your pediatrician is probably unwilling to do this because there is no reason according to good research. Even the recent court case won by the vaccine injured girl did not prove the MMR caused her autism. She had an underlying health condition that was POSSIBLY aggravated by the MMR. Her father, Dr. Poling, is a neurologist, and is still pro-vaccine.

Keep educating yourself though. You will get a lot of people on this site telling you that you are going to damage your child if you vaccinate. Just be responsible & read the advice of large, reputable organizations like the CDC, WHO, AAP, as well.

Good luck.
A.

Hi L.,

My son is also 10 months old and I am also concerned about all these shots. My biggest problem right now is that I feel uninformed. The little bit that I read about, just seems to contradict the last thing that I have read.
What it ultimately comes down to is this: no doctor can give your child any shot until you sign the paperwork giving permission.
I recently saw Jenny McCarthy being interviewed on tv and she said to google "alternate vaccine schedule." If your doctor still won't give in, then definitely look for a doctor that you feel comfortable with. Best of luck to you!

It's very simple...MOM KNOWS BEST. Any pediatrician who is guilting you for loving and protecting your child and not willing to support you in your parenting decisions is most likely worried about not getting paid for the frequent vaccine visits. Keep looking...call around and screen for a Dr. who will help you in making the best decision for you and your baby, and then support you in that choice. It takes a little work but they do exist.
The best thing for you to do is to educate yourself (like you've been doing) and go with your gut feeling. Do not listen to people who judge you for thinking on your own.

Hello L., You are not being ridiculous at all! My daughter is 2.5 yrs. old and still has not received her measles shot because she is not in day care nor in preschool yet so why give her something she does not need just yet. I too, spaced her MMR shot. I am not a huge proponent of 3-in-1 vaccinations especially when you take into account infants immune systems are not fully developed at such a tender age -- when receiving these SAVE-THE-PHARMACEUTICAL-COMPANIES-MONEY-SHOTS that they give our children to save a couple of bucks at OUR CHILDREN'S EXPENSE. Not all children react the same way to inoculations. Again DO NOT LET ANYONE TELL YOU DIFFERENT! There is nothing wrong with separating them. The reason why they do these "3-in-1-shots is to save money and that is the ONLY REASON. Knowledge is power! Have you EVER ACTUALLY READ the labels on what these vaccinations consists in those shots! An educated parent is a best one and one who also questions the pediatrician; you're doing it for your child's welfare. Be your own parent and person and don't follow the masses. Do what you feel is the best for YOUR CHILD. Tell me, who will take care of your child if they have an adverse reaction to the shots? Your pediatrician, the government, AP Association? No you will, so it's every parent's responsibility to be proactive and question why the need for these 3-in-1-shots? I separated my daughters MMR shot and will do the same for the next children I intend to have because they ARE MY CHILDREN not the governments and I should decide how to raise my child not what the government mandates.

If you live in the Rye Brook area and would like the name and number of my pediatrician let me know, PM me. My pediatrician gladly separates the MMR shot. He also is not a huge fan of the varicella vaccination either!!

Here's an article from Rolling Stones Magazine: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/7395411/deadly... now I am not a HUGE fan of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as I do not share his political beliefs but this article is quite amazing.

I follow the MMR debate closely and just several weeks ago a woman won a HUGE lawsuit in Federal court concerning the MMR shot! You don't hear much about it do you? No, because the pharmaceutical companies would be in disarray. ***Some infants** have a predisposed genetic disorder that can aggravate a pre-existing condition that then manifested as autism spectrum disorder. Her name is Hannah Poling and I am sure if you Google her name there will be a lot reputable news articles indicating the lawsuit her parents won.

The thing is this pre-existing condition you do not if your child does have it under after so why take the chance?

We do need vaccinations but not all of them are necessary. Take polio for example. My grandmother had that horrible disease. Polio has basically been eradicated because of the of the vaccination. But not all are the same! The chicken pox vaccination in my opinion is an unnecessary shot. It does not even guarantee you that you will NOT get the disease. Getting it the natural way once provides you with the antibodies for the rest of your life, now is that better? This is where the job of the parent comes in and you must stay well informed, current and up-to-date. My daughter has received all of her shots but on "my schedule".. As for her measles shot she will have to get it soon as she will be starting preschool in September so I will have to but I did have a choice of separating them and when these shots go into her precious little body. Don't get scared about what you read.. But keep in mind that information from WHO; especially the CDC, FDA, APA are ALL GOVERNMENT REGULATED AGENCIES and work alongside the pharmaceutical companies so you need to decipher a lot of information. Just make sure to read and stay well informed.

This has nothing to do about conspiracy and fringe stuff ... but all about the all mighty dollar! And if you don't agree then why the 3-in-1 shots now? When I was a child I have maybe five if that. Polio and tetanus were the two main ones. Children nowadays have over 20 different vaccinations(either combined or single) by the age 15 months!! And that does not include the shots they give just minutes after they are born!! That most parents are not aware of at all! In the end it's the companies' bottomline that matter the most not your child's welfare...because in the end when there are lawsuits like the one above it will be settled with money!! For me personally there is not enough money in the world that would be able to rectify the adverse reaction to an immunization. How can you put a price tag a child.

Immunizations are a big deal believe me there was a recent article in the NYT on March 1st about how many parents are now asking questions, doing their homework, and asking questions why and not just following the sheeple? It's a parent responsibility to know what is put into your child body when it comes time for all of their their shots. Anything less is just plain laziness irresponsiblity on the parent's part.

Best of luck L. and God Bless.

Just a sidenote- some rubella vaccines are cultured on (aborted) fetal tissue... and rubella is really only an issue for a a pregnant mother, so if you aren't phased by the moral implications of getting the rubella vaccine, you still wouldn't need to consider getting your child immunized until you were expecting again. Personally I am repulsed by using aborted babies to culture a vaccine... but to each their own.

Do not feel ridiculous - my older son has autism so I spaced out all of my daughters' vaccinations. Although my pediatrician doesn't believe that MMR contributes to autism, he respected my decision (and said I wasn't the first). I would consider switching to a pediatrician who is more open to your opinions and feelings. And to the mother who said you were ridiculous, I recommend she read "Deadly Immunity" by Robert F. Kennedy before passing judgement on you or anyone else.

I have four children, and have spaced all of their immunizations far apart. I never give them more than one at a time, and don't go for the combined vaccinations if I can avoid it. My pediatrician, who works for a very large mainstream group, is very understanding, but it took him a few years to get used to me! He starts the conversation with "this is what she's due for, what would you like her to get today". Remember - you are the parent here, and the pediatrician is not God, he/she works for you.