Info on the MMR Vaccination for 2.5 Year Old

I've vaccinated both of my children and they're both healthy and strong. One is 5 and the other is 2. I think you're crazy for not vaccinating! Good luck.

We too have chosen not to further vaccinate our 5yr old. She had the initial series of 3, but we stopped when we discovered her food allergies and eczema started. Her pediatrician is a MD & homeopath, Dr. Melanie Chimes. We discussed the whole MMR situation. Her stance is that Measles and Mumps are both curable/treatable diseases. Yes there can be severe side effects, but no more than any other disease really. The Rubella we've decided to give her when she turns about 12yrs as that can be dangerous to a fetus if she would become pregnant. Her email is ____@____.com if you would like to ask more about what happens if a person gets the Measles and how they're treated. She is a one woman show so sometimes her email response time is a little slow. You might consider posting her answer here for other moms to learn also.

Good health :)

Hi A. - the FDA does not recommend the MMR for infants under the age of 1 - their little bodies cannot handle the strength of the vaccine. However, a 2.5 year old should be fine to receive the vaccine and will need it for school in a few years. As for vacinating or not vacinating - that is your personal decision but the reason why these diseases are coming back is because parents are choosing so often to not vaccinate. While these diseases are mainly seen in third-worlds, they are easily traveling back to the US (as you have seen on the news!) and can be picked up and spread very easily (thus why vaccines were created to begin with!!).

If you think about it, we were all vaccinated for these diseases and are fine. If you do research you will find that the percentage of risks is very small. I would recommend that you re-reseach it (look at the FDA sights as those studies are not published by the drug companies making the vaccine) and make your decision from there. Good Luck!

I also chose not to immunize my son on the regular schedule. My daughter was immunized as scheduled and doesn't really have any side effects that I know of. I have started immunizing my son (age4.5) and I am taking it slow, only 1-2 vaccines at each visit. He has had no adverse reactions and is doing fine.
You may want to think about how much your child is exposed to other kids to help you with the decsion. Good Luck!
C.

I understand your worries that come with giving your children the vaccines. I have an 11 yr old and have a 21 month old. I worried so much with the younger son, based on all the bad information out there that is associated with giving them the vaccines. However, you really have to think about the child and if you would really want to see them end up with some disease that could have been prevented from giving them the vaccine. I know I would have felt horrible to see my child suffer from a choice that I made because I was scared of a "maybe" outcome. The vaccines are there because they do help, even though it is scarry for us to give them to our children. You should also think, when you do not do this for your child you are putting so many others at risk.

So here is what I did for a solution. I asked to doctor to break up the vaccines so that they were not getting them all in one visit. This was their little bodies can deal with one at a time. My doctor did not have a problem doing this for me. I felt so much better doing it this way. I would say talk to your doctor and express your feeling and concerns and see if they are willing to do this for you, my guess is that it would not be a problem. Just take a deep breath and remember you are really doing this for the best heatlh you can give your child.
Hope that helps.

Dear A., I don't know why you chose not to vacinate your children but I would to tell you about my experience with the measles. I am a 56 year old mother and grandmother. We didn't have vacinations when I was growing up. I had all the childhood diseases. I got the measels and was terribly sick. It just wasn't the measles but also the after effects from the measles. I also got terrible earaches that had to be treated and to this day I still get them. I can't have any wind around my ears and that includes having the windows down on the car if we are going very fast. So I just hope you have thought your decision through. M.

A., I am so proud that you took a stand that is uncommon and most of the time frowned upon. I have a daughter 16 years old, and we made the choice not to immunize her. We lived in San Diego at the time, very close to the border. The only disease she got was Chicken pox. Don't forget these are labled "Childhood illness" for a reason. Childred rebound quicker! Question?--are you going to breast feed? That would be best, so your immunity can pass to your baby. Don't forget the Medical Association works on FEAR! By the way, my daughter has grown up to be a beautiful and healthy teenager. As mom's we try and do our best., the rest we need to leave up to God. I have a lot of info. Call if your interested.
God Bless,
K.
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Hi A.!

In light of the measles out break, it is easy to panic a little when your kids are not vaccinated, however, just because they are vaccinated, does not give any assurance, they will not have measles as well. Also there is only 37 people in this so called OUTBREAK!!! The media is always trying to make a big deal out of something to report.
First, I would think about why you are not vaccinating and then think about whether the risks to vaccinate out way your concerns. Where are your kids hanging out? Even if your child ever had the measles, it is a small percentage that develop any serious problems as a result.

This forum is rather conservative and may be incredibly concerned about your choice. I have two children who are not vaccinated and it is not that we are fully opposed to vaccinations, it is more about giving the body/system time to develop before deciding if the risks are worth the benefits. 50% of physicians do NOT vaccinate their children, so if this statistic doesn't say something I do not know what does.

If you live in the state of Arizona, I would contact a naturopathic physician who could offer you some valuable insight. If you need a reference, you can email me @ ____@____.com

Best of luck to you!!
C.

Why have you choosen not to vaccinate if your going to worry about it?

I understand your concern. I vaccinated my first two children and my oldest was severely allergic. So I did my research when my third child was born and found a list of ingredients on the CDC website. I was horrified by that and understood exactly why my son is so allergic. After my 4th child was born, my doctor said that they changed the ingredients and they are safer. So I checked the CDC website again and couldn't find the ingredients any longer. My doctor was going to check and see if they could find gluten-free and egg-free vaccinations for me but she couldn't. I decided not to vaccinate my 3rd and 4th child and they are now 4 and 7 years old. My husband wants me to get just their tetanus shots so I went through yahoo-search and found a website that has all the ingredients for all the vaccinations (knowVaccines.com). They still have dangerous ingredients and I don't notice that they are "safer" than before. Anyway, my husband and I figure that since they are older AND we aren't doing all the vaccinations, that just doing tetanus would be okay (I hope). My hubby suggested that we pre-medicate them with Benedryl before and give it to them every 4-6 hours for 24 hours (or whatever it says on the bottle.) It is hard to know what advice to give in this situation. Are your children pre-disposed to having autism or an adverse reaction? Measles don't scare me because my husband had them and so did my mom. But every person and situation is different. My children have been exposed to chicken pox a lot and haven't got them yet. You are doing a great job with your kids and researching everything so you can do what is best for them! I admire you. A lot of mom's are doing the research and opting not to vaccinate. I'm thinking that is why there have been outbreaks recently. I figure that with medical advances, that they are able to treat these diseases better than in the past AND if they want people vaccinated then they need to come up with safer vaccinations that aren't dangerous for our children! They really need to get with the program and change the vaccines instead of trying to scare us into vaccinating with such horrible ingredients...Good luck!

We have been thinking the same thing.... our chiropractor's office is doing a free vaccine seminar on Tue. May 6th at 6:30. I think it will only be about an hour or so & they will be talking about all vaccines.... this might help you make the decision better. FYI - my chiropactor is against vaccines as well. Discovery Chiropatic is just East of Kolb on Broadway. It is an orangish building....there is parking in the back & then you walk through the corridor between the buildings to the office. I know we don't know each other, but if you want to go & would like to meet someone before you go, I would love to meet you. :) -C.

check out the vaccination forum on mothering.com also. lots of knowledgeable mothers

I used to be in nursing school when I was in Mexico. One of my duties was to vaccinate children under 5 against all kinds of illnesses, including measles. However, I have seen many cases of measles and I agree they are rarely fatal. I think unless their immune system is compromised by lack of nutrition, AIDS or other ailments, they should be fine. Nonetheless, I don't recommend you skip their immunizations. But something I've always disagree with is the fact that they give them soooo many different vaccinations at once. As a Nursing assistant in Mexico, we were not allowed to administer more than two at the time. We'd have to wait at least two weeks to give them the other vaccination they needed. Vaccinations ARE the real virus that causes the illness in the first place. But the virus is treated and cold so that it is kind of letargic when it is injected. This way, the body receives a small amount, the immune system learns it, recognizes it, creates antibodies to attack it and so when it's in contact with the virus again, it already knows how to get rid of it. But to have so many at the time is too much of a load for their immune systems. And don't worry about your infant, his immune system will be able to handle it, as long as it's not too many of them at the time.
I got german measles when I was 5, and then measles when I was in sixth grade. A week off school, some fever, all those spots on my skin, and then I was fine. And from having them at this age, when I got pregnant, I knew my baby wouldn't be affected. My mom was pregnant at the time, taking care of me, but she didn't know it. When she found out, her nightmare started. But my brother was just fine when he was born. Now he's a straight A student, and will be going to Canada this summer for an ice skating competition, after winning gold medal in Mexico. So, no mental or physical damages there. So yes, they are very contagious, but I don't think they are as lethal as the media wants us to believe. And whether your child is 23 months or 25, I don't think it makes that big of a difference.
Good luck.

The only vaccine that I have heard you need to be aware of that might cause problems in younger children's neurological system etc is the DTP. Because of the concerns regarding this and other scientific information that led them to believe this vaccine was causing problems with children's neurological system they changed the vaccine recently to the DTaP. If you are holding off on vaccinating until your child is older that is understandable, but the MMR has not been linked with anything and I would definitely go ahead with at least that vaccination.

In Arizona we are bordered by Mexico and we have an international airport. The case in Tucson was passed by a Swiss traveler (I believe). In Mexico immunizations are not as readily available and so there have been cases of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella linked from there here in Arizona. It would be great if the diseases they thought they abolished with the earlier vaccines were truly gone, but since there are countries where immunizations did not happen we still have these diseases.

Holding off until your child's system can handle these immunizations is something that is happening more and more often. When my daughter was 2 the chicken pox vaccination came out and there were many concerns about that. I waited another year before doing that vaccination just to be sure. Get a list from your doctor and find out about the specific vaccinations and everything related to them. Hope this helps.

Also the person above said that measles are rarely fatal, but they can be and Rubella (German Measles) has many complications that can lead to serious health issues throughout your life and despite being well nourished people have died from Rubella.

I have several friends that do not vaccinate and that is their choice. I also have several friends that decided to wait until their child was 5 to do the vaccinations and have been happy with that decision. Either way you are the parent and the advocate for your child and you get to decide no matter what anyone else tells you.

I would just do more research and maybe ask your doctor. The advice to me for my 6 month old was to go ahead and get the MMR shot now and of course he will get it again at 1. I did that and am very pleased since there are more and more outbreaks.

A.,
I see you have many responses here and I haven't read through them all, so this may be redundant, but...

I recently found The Vaccine Book by Dr Robert Sears, and I find it to be a very good source for balanced information about vaccines. It is not anti-vaccine by any means - he is a pediatrician and recognizes the importance of vaccines both for the individual child and from a public health perspective. But he also has done the research on the potential risks of vaccines, and he provides very clear information on both sides. I felt so much better prepared to talk with our doctor after reading this book.

Best wishes,
S.

Hi A., there are alot of good sites on the internet that discuss the pros and cons of vaccines; also, it helps to find at least one doctor (a medical doctor, as in MD) who is open minded about not vaccinating and ask them your question. We haven't vaccinated either of our kids (ages 7 and 5), mostly due to the thimerosal issue (which I'm still not convinced is resolved). I think the whole vaccine issue is a VERY personal one and so the best thing I recommend to you is to do your research, talk to as many health professionals as you can about it, and decide for yourself and then feel good about your decision. It is a tough one, and either way you choose, there are risks, unfortunately. But then, there are alot of risks in life as well as many joys. Best of luck to you - Shirl H.

I would guess that your little one would not be at too much of a risk, given that infants are breastfed (for stronger immunity) and are not (like toddlers) going about touching and chewing on everything they see! If you are holding him most of the time, he really won't get much of a chance to be exposed.

If you do vaccinate, I would totally agree that it is best to wait till age 2 and older, when their neurological systems are more developed.

Also, remember that despite media scare tactics, measles is rarely fatal in a well-nourished child. It is dangerous primarily in 3rd-world countries where children are malnourished and unhealthy to begin with.

We have chosen not to vaccinate, and it has definitely been a difficult road, due to social pressures and lack of support. However, I believe that our son is healthier for it, and we would not change our decision for the world.

However, you must make the decision that's best for you. Do your research, decide, and don't look back! You can only do your best - so no guilt trips, one way or the other! And good for you for doing your research! So many parents just unthinkingly accept mainstream medical dogma - good for you for thinking outside the box.

Blessings!!

Good for you!!! My kids are grown(just about) I ended up not having my youngest vaccinated after speaking with a natropath and doing much research and reading. The pharmaceutical companies have pulled the wool over MANY people's eyes. I never had my son diagnosed by a dr. but am pretty sure he had measles when he was around 1. I would contact a natropathic dr. and ask his advice if you're worried about the measles. Don't let the doctors scare you into vaccinating - hang in there!

Well, given that 50% of the people who got the measles outbreak were vaccinated against it (according to my midwife), it might not do any good for you at all. My naturopathic dr. said not to worry. I know they have taken thermosol (mercury) out of vaccines, but there are still many preservatives and nasty things, such as thermosol. Also, aborted fetus cells are used in making the rubella part of the MMR vaccine, and I just can't do that. Here are some links for you:

http://www.care2.com/c2c/share/detail/529621
http://www.vaccinerights.com/DispellingVaccinationMythsx.pdf
http://www.thinktwice.com/stories.htm
http://momsagainstmercury.com/

Dear A.,

Wow! Touchy subject, as you already know. My sons will be 15 and 11 next month, both born in California, although we now live in New Mexico. I was able to stay home with my second son and chose--after extensive research--to forego vaccinations (except for tetnus when circumstances dictated). Most MDs are taught to vaccinate and not ask questions.

I have a very good friend who obediently vaccinated her children upon the MD's mandate and both have had extensive health challenges...which began immediately after the first set of vaccinations and continued to worsen after each round. The mental and physical anguish that this family has endured is heart wrenching. They have taken the children (a boy and his little sister) to various experts around the country and the consensus is the health issues are due to the vaccinations. When she questioned their doctor after the son began having adverse indications, she was told not to worry; he would grow out of it. He did not. Neither did his sister.

I think you are wise to investigate this issue as thoroughly as possible and make a decision based on what you feel is the best for your children. All of us have valid viewpoints and experiences--even if they are different!--but I firmly believe that making a well-informed, conscious choice is better than blindly following what "everyone else is doing".

Best of luck in this challenging, but wonderful, task of parenting!

C. A.

i think it says a lot that in this country we are free to turn down services that people in other countries are literally dieing for.

Hi A.,

I commend you on your decision not to vaccinate, especially give the sensitivity of the issue. I vaccinated all my children and, quite honestly, wish I hadn't. One of my children has a disease caused by the MMR vaccine. I have refused any further vaccines and I simply just sign a waiver for them to attend school.

The best thing you can do is keep your child's immune well-functioning by using non-toxic cleaning, laundry and personal care products and by avoiding processed foods with dyes and preservatives, excess sugar, and prepared drinks (soda, sports drinks, juices, etc.).

Best of luck to you! :)

Warm Regards,
G. Van Luven
Health and Nutrition Consultant
Healthy Habits Wellness Center, LLC
~Helping you create a lifetime of wellness~
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Hi A.,

The current guru on whether or not to vaccinate, how and when to vaccinate, etc. is Bob Sears, son of William and Martha Sears. You can see an article he wrote for the NY Times on this site. He mentions the "outbreak" you described in the article. He is the first place I would go for information on this topic.

http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/

By the way, he will be here in the Valley on August 15, 2008 speaking at the La Leche League of Arizona conference. The session is open to the public, but I would also recommend going to the conference. You can find more information and registration information at www.lllofaz.org

Hope this helps you!

Blessings, C.

A.,
My thoughts on parents or as it seems mothers who don't vaccinate their children are being selfish and are harming their children. Outbreaks continue because of women who choose not to vaccinate their kids. As these outbreaks become more common your children have no strain to help aid their bodies in any fight mechanism whatsoever. As you have stated you don't have much info on nonvaccination. I hope that as these strains become more common you don't hope medicine's are going to help aid in fighting off more outbreaks. That's why more new strains are coming around, because of too many people becoming so independent on medicine's and not allowing the body to fight naturally with a stronger immune systems from vaccinations. I would love to hear what you have read about why vaccinations are so bad and dangerous or the odds of kids who don't benefit from them. I'm a very open minded woman, but do you think your being very fair to decide that vaccinations are something you should keep from your children? Believe you and me, from one mother to another I dread vaccinations, but as someone who was given vaccinations as a child I have turned out just fine. So have my 4 kids and our 5th on the way. Even circumcisions were dreadful, but I knew it'd be done and over with and I'm doing what has been done for generations with much success! I hope whichever you choose works. Best of luck! God bless! A. G.

Hi A.,

Oh, the debate on vaccinations... it's so hard to decide which is the best path when your child's health is at risk! I've followed the normal vaccination schedule with my two kids and I feel very blessed to have not had any adverse reactions. However, I've felt uneasy with how many vaccines they give in such a short amount of time. When my friend passed along the following article (her daughter has a mild form of autism), it really opened my eyes and re-affirmed the gut feeling I was having. I most likely will adopt this schedule with any future kids. There are so many other childhood diseases that have sky-rocketed since introducing such a rigorous vaccination schedule; I just don't feel it's worth the risk. So good luck to you and all of us in our child-rearing decisions!

http://www.lewrockwell.com/miller/miller15.html

Hi A.,
My opinion is that you should definitely vaccinate your daughter with the MMR, or even only with the measles vaccination, given that if she is in ANY contact with other children, she has a chance of being exposed to the virus and will in turn expose your infant to it if she contracts it. The risk to your infant's health of contracting measles would be far worse than the health risks that are POSSIBLY connected with the MMR. Measles kills - the MMR doesn't.

Hi A.,

I have been concerned about the vaccinations also. I know Jenny McCarthy talks about it alot. When I saw her on Larry King with other experts, the ideas is to spead out the vaccinations, not do away with them.

I am going to spread them out for my daughter.

Maybe someone already said this, but I know that some researchers recommend a delayed schedule for vaccination that starts when the child is 2. I'm sure an internet search would provide you with lots of info on this. Good luck.

J.

I would highly recommend "The Vaccine Book" by Dr. Sears. I found it at Barnes and Noble. It goes through each recommended vaccine and how it affects the system. It also details why each is given, the risks, side affects, as well as breaks down the components in each vaccine. There is also an alternative schedule to getting your child partially or fully vaccinated. It also has a section on not getting your child vaccinated.

I recently talked to my pediatrician regarding the outbreak in Pima County because my son is 10 months so he hasn't had his MMR shots YET. I DO plan to get them when they are scheduled though. She said that they are watching closely and will immunize early if there are any outbreaks of measles in Maricopa County; however, she usually vaccinates closer to 18 months but between 15-18. For reasons such as this (better safe than sorry) my son's current and former ped's have encouraged immunizing to the fullest. Do you mean you wonder if the disease or the immunizations is "easier on their systems?"

You may want to do some research on the diseases that our doctor's recommend we immunize against.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.idph.st...

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.bact.wi...

I selectively vaccinate. The outbreak scares me, because I dont want my child to get it. But at the same time all the toxins in vaccines scare me. I breastfed my baby for almost 8 months. We weaned a few weeks ago she will be 8 months on Sunday. We decided against it since our child isnt in contact with that many people and stays at home with me... We decided to just get her the MMR right before she starts preschool.

There were many good answers so far, but I thought I could add a few tidbits. Even though mercury might be out, there is still toxic levels of aluminum. Also, I have concerns about the Hep B. In regards to you, they give an adult dose to newborns within the first 12 hours. Just be aware. Above all, count your blessings you have choices here... in California you cannot break up the shots, and if you choose one you are required by law to have the others.