Delayed and alternative vaccination schedules. Grab a cuppa, mammies. This is a long post, but I think one well worth doing. Many vaccine hesitant parents explore the option of alternative vaccine schedules. It’s okay to be vaccine hesitant. Unfortunately, much of the online information about alternative vaccine schedules are misleading, fear mongering, or contain really bad celebrity advice. Let’s give you some facts, what you should think about, and what you can expect when you discuss this.
Delayed vaccination schedules are not expert recommended. That HAS to be emphasized. However, many GPs will absolutely discuss it with you in an effort to get your child protected (with the view that any vaccination is better than none.) In this post, let’s empower you with some facts to take with you if you want to talk this through with your GP. And I highly encourage vaccine hesitant parents to engage and discuss. Your child needs you to be an informed and empowered health advocate for him/her, and your GP is a key partner in that.
So, to start, where should you definitely NOT get your alternative vaccine schedule?
Bad source number 1: Blogs/sites from abroad are poor sources for an Irish mammy. Why? You have a baby growing up in Ireland. That means alternative vaccine schedules suggested by Karen from Texas on her blog might not be right for you. Vaccination schedules vary country to country. Community vaccination rates vary country to country. Disease outbreaks vary country to country. Children’s communities vary by culture. In many areas of certain countries, like in areas of the US, children grow up in isolated communities much different from life here in Ireland (ie, no foreign travel in the community).
Bad source number 2: Celebrity docs who publish discredited books on alternative US vaccine schedules. Upside: It makes them rich and cultivates celebrity endorsement (which was likely the point). Downside: Books lack much reputable evidence or research. The California Medical Board has since initiated investigations into negligence and ethical violations into one of the most famous, and his medical license is on probation for 3 years now. Which goes back to: please don’t get your vaccine advice from celebrities, including celebrity ‘doctors’, politicians or anyone else who stands to profit € or votes from your fears .
Who should you discuss your ideas about an alternative vaccine schedule? Your GP. Make an appointment, and ask the receptionist, if possible, for extra time. Be honest about your reason for the appointment. Bring a list of your concerns — but try to avoid bringing downloads from conspiracy websites. That isn’t helpful to anyone. Remember, you are allies with your GP with common goal of your child’s health. What should you expect? You should expect a good GP to challenge you a little bit to be an informed decision maker and health advocate for your child. Doctors firmly believe in the patients’ right to decision making, but on facts, not fears. What concerns might your GP share with you about delaying your child vaccinations? Here are some examples of concerns doctors have about delayed vaccination schedules and things you might want to think ahead of your GP appointment: [Numbers below are taken from HPSC Ireland data for 1/1/19 – 11/5/19]
1.) Rotavirus is a disease that targets small infants causing watery diarrhoea and vomiting, causing dehydration often needing hospital admission. This is one that can’t be given too much behind schedule. First dose should be given before age 15 weeks at the latest, and cannot be give after age 8 months. It is still in our communities (435 cases since 1/1/19) but the new vaccine has been very successful. Read more: http://ndsc.newsweaver.ie/epiinsight/1musqleykke…
2.) Whooping cough is just deadly for young infants. (1% of babies who get it die). In Ireland, we declared national outbreak in October 2018. In addition to on-time infant vaccinations, healthcare professionals strongly advise pregnant women to get this vaccine. Numbers: 39 cases so far this year in Ireland.
3) Tetanus: Neonatal tetanus is rare in the developed world now, thanks to vaccines. Vaccinated mammy provides baby’s first protection, but this needs to be continued with baby’s first set of vaccinations. Tetanus is much different from other diseases we vaccinate against: it lives as a spore in the environment, so it can’t be eliminated from communities. Mammy’s protection only came from her vaccination: Unlike some other diseases, previous tetanus doesn’t give you natural immunity future infections. Missed previous discussion on tetanus? http://bit.ly/2LYwgVy
4) Hib: (Haemophilus influenzae). Hib causes meningitis, as well as pneumonia and sepsis, in babies and children under 5. Rates of death from Hib meningitis (1:20) as well as life long disability, such as brain damage or deafness are very high (1:5) in young children, even with treatment. Numbers: 35 cases so far this year in Ireland.
5.) PCV: Pneumococcal vaccine protects against 13 types of pneumococcal infections that affect children under age of 2 years. Pneumococcal infections cause pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis, and ear infections. Pneumococcal meningitis is dangerous even with treatment, and 1:15 children will die; 1:5 will have permanent disability. Numbers: 203 cases in Ireland so far this year.
6) Men B: This meningococcal meningitis affects babies age 6 months – 18 months (second age most affected is teens). Numbers: 42 cases in Ireland so far this year.
7) MMR: It is very unlikely that you don’t already know that we have a national and global outbreak of measles and national outbreak of mumps currently. (65 cases of mumps in last week, 1166 this year!) These are not harmless childhood diseases, and have real risk of mortality and permanent disability. With some summer travel on the horizon, the global measles outbreak has doctors and public health experts worried.
Logistics: Actual availability and preparations of vaccines can affect what your GP suggests. For example, tetanus vaccine is often in a combination with other vaccines, so asking for an isolated tetanus vaccine in your proposed alternative schedule might be logistically difficult if that preparation isn’t locally available.
Let’s round this up with some quick and serious #mythbusting. Misinformation, often coming from places of fear or misunderstanding, is often found with delayed or alternative vaccination schedules. Volumes have been published on each of these topics, but I’m going to put this into some short and sweet fact-checking bites:
1) “I’m delaying vaccines because my baby has special needs, chronic medical condition, or was premature” I’m sure your consultant neonatologist or paediatrician has already told you the same thing: Vaccinate on-time. All international experts agree. These children are even less likely to be able to fight these infections. Rare instances where a vaccine is contraindicated will be advised by your consultant.
2.) “Too many vaccines overwhelm a child’s immune system.” This is usually associated with pseudoscience statements about gut and inflammation. This has been extensively studied. It is just false.
3.) “My religion might not allow vaccinations.” All major global religions (including Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses) allow – and indeed most promote — vaccination. Those religions that promote cite religious texts that ask followers to look after their own health and the well-being of neighbours. Who does prohibit? A very small group of foreign faith-healer groups: Faith Tabernacle, Church of the First Born, Faith Assembly, End Time Ministries and some fringe extremist religions. Dutch Reformed and Scientologists no longer prohibit vaccination.
4) “I’m delaying vaccination because of family history of food allergy”. All top paediatric allergy experts agree: vaccinate on time. Even proven egg allergy is not a reason to hesitate or delay (40 years of safety data!). If you are truly concerned, many paediatricians will work with you, even organising a supervised vaccination, if they feel it’s needed.
5). “My doctor just wants all these vaccines because they get paid per vaccine, that’s why they don’t want skipped vaccines.” No, docs really don’t get paid per vaccine. In countries with for-profit medical models, you can see where someone might believe it, but in a public health care system in Ireland, it’s less clear why this would be believed. If you believe in the Big Pharma conspiracy, it is even more baffling: a brief ICU admission from just one of the above illnesses uses far more costly drugs and consumable medical supplies (from Big Pharma) than the child’s entire routine vaccination .
The expert recommended vaccine schedule for keep your child happy and healthy here in Ireland is available on the HSE website.
Still worried about side effects? It’s okay to be vaccine hesitant. But don’t just hesitate/delay: make a list of your concerns and make an appointment to discuss with your public health nurse or GP. Make an informed decision based on information from a trusted and reliable source.
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