Vaccinations

I've had quite a few of you ask about my delayed vaccination plan, so I just thought I'd post it. This has been gathered from lots of web research and from Dr. Sears The Vaccine Book. Of course, it's subject to change as I continue to research and ask questions from other mommies! Note to those of you with co-pays. This will require you to go in every month as opposed to the every other month schedule set by most pediatricians. I just have to make sure I stay on top of scheduling additional appointments and be ok with the additional co-pays.

Age	Planned
birth	none - declined HepB
2 months	DTaP*
3 months	Pc, Hib
4 months	DTaP, Rotavirus(RV)**
5 months	Pc, Hib
6 months	DTaP, RV
7 months	Pc, Hib
8 months	RV
9 months	Polio (IPV)
12 months	Mumps***, IPV
15 months	Pc, Hib
18 months	DTaP Booster (maybe), Chickenpox****
2 years	Rubella***, IPV
3 years	Measles***
3 1/2 years	Hep A, Hep B (if going to preschool, if not, hold off)
4 years	Hep B, IPV
4 1/2 years	Hep B
5 years	MMR Booster
6 years	Chickenpox
12 years	Hep B (3 doses – if not given at 3 ½)
13 years	Meningococcal (once Meningococcal vaccine is approved for age 2, Dr. Sears will move it there and delay Hep B by 6 months)

Notes:
*DTaP - there is a little controversy over this one as the Diptheria and Tetanus aren't little kid diseases, but the Pertussis is. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for just the Pertussis, so they have to get the whole thing. Recommended brand: Adacelc. Do Not Use: Daptacel, Infanrix, or Pediarix.

**Rotavirus – Have to start by 14w9d. Can’t be given after 8 months. Still undecided about delaying this one a bit. They say if your baby is breastfed and not at daycare, then it's not a big issue. What do they use – Rotarix (can’t be repeated if spit out) because it requires only two oral doses, compared with three for RotaTeq (can be repeated if spit out) Same questions go for the Pc vaccine – is it really necessary if no day care and breastfeeding?

***MMR - there is mixed info about whether or not you can split these up anymore.
If you can split:
Mumps – 12 mo
Rubella – 2 years
Measles – 3 years
Booster – age 5

If you can't split:
MMR – age 4 (done all at once with no other vaccines)
Booster - age 5

****Chickenpox (varicella)- I'm still not sure about the chickenpox one. I think I'd rather expose my young kid as the immunity is better from actually getting chicken pox than the vaccine. If they haven't gotten it by age 11 or 12, I'd vaccinate.

Other notes:
- Still unsure about Hep B at all and same as Pc.
- No Vaccine should contain the preservative Thimerosal. (usually in the flu vaccine)
- All shots must be separated. No combo shots. Only one shot containing Aluminum is allowed at a time.