Vaccinations....ARGH!

 Matt and I never even put a thought to vaccinations for Peyton or Parker. We were young parents that just did what we were "supposed" to do. I don't think that I even questioned the injections...what they were injecting or what they were really for. I never researched how long they have been giving that particular brand, combination, vaccination...nothing! What kind of parent was I that I just let them do this to my kids? We were just going with the flow with what the "majority" does, and trusting our childs well being with our doctor.

Well, with Joshua, our eyes were opened by my brother...to whom I'm not sure if I want to thank or punch ;) for the fact that now I question everything and feel like I'm stuck between a rock in a hard place. Well, today was Joshua's 2 month check up and first round of immunizations. Our doctor knew we were coming with questions. Last night, Matt and I researched and researched for hours on what our plans were going to be. We finally decided that we were going with a more delayed schedule and opting out of some of the immunizations we felt weren't all that important/valid at this time. I even went and dug up my immunizations from when I was a baby. It's crazy how many more vaccinations are "needed" now adays then when I was younger!

We got to our appointment feeling very satisfied with our research and dicision. I should have known it wasn't going to be easy! Of course, our doctor gave us scary facts about the diseases, and tried to push us into complete vaccinations. We took over an hour visiting with him and pleading our case. I was not ready to give in, but Matt felt more comfortable with somethings. This was what we were wanting to do:

2 Months: DTap
3 Months: HIB, PCV
4 Months: DTap
5 Months: HIB, PCV
6 Months: DTap
7 Months: HIB, PCV
9 Months: Polio
12 Months: Mumps, Polio
15 Months: HIB, PCV
18 Months: DTap
24 Months: Rubella, Polio
2 1/2 Years: Hep B, Hep A
3 Years: Heb B, Measles
3 1/2 Hep A
4 Years: DTap, Polio
5 Years: Titer for MMR
6 Years: Chickenpox if not immune already

We were really hoping to get the MMR separated, but our Pedi says that isn't possible anymore. I'll be researching that a bit more. If we cannot separate the MMR, I probably won't give it until he's 2 or 3. We also were talked into giving the Hep B immunization that we refused in the hospital at his 2 week check up. Major regret now. We will not be continuing that series until he's 2 1/2.

The schedule that the CDC recommends has a TON of major combination shots. Those I have heard are made of some pretty nasty stuff to keep the combinations together properly. Our whole feeling on immunizations isn't that they are bad, but just that they're given in such mega doses we don't feel his body can handle them as scheduled.
Now what we were talked into. :( We were suckered into giving a combination shot for his first round called Pentacel (DTap, HIB, Polio). Ugh...I made our doctor come back into the room several times after I "made my decision". I should have listened to my gut. Blah. :( We also gave him the PCV. We did, however, say no to the rotovirus and Heb B. Here's to going to bed with a sick feeling in my stomach.

Stay tuned to see if I stick to my guns or go with the flow for the major combo vax's.