The growing number of vaccines recommended for babies and
children, coupled with concern over potentially toxic ingredients,
has left many parents worried and confused. Here, Dana Point,
Calif., pediatrician Robert "Dr. Bob" W. Sears, M.D.,
author of the newly published The Vaccine Book (Little,
Brown), shares his insights:
See the full table here
Q. What are the real concerns about vaccines?
A. Overall, vaccines are safe and effective at preventing
diseases. However, they do have some rare—but serious—side effects,
such as seizures, nerve and muscle weakness and brain inflammation.
Since most doctors can't spend the time necessary to discuss
all the pros and cons of vaccinations, parents should be informed
of these slight risks and weigh them against the dangers of the
diseases themselves.
Q. Are there any potential risks associated with the
American Academy of Pediatrics' current vaccine schedule?
A. The AAP schedule recommends that young infants receive
a combination of as many as six injections during each of their 2-,
4- and 6-month checkups. If a baby has a bad reaction, it's
difficult to identify which vaccine is the culprit. Also, many
chemicals in vaccines, such as aluminum and formaldehyde, are known
carcinogens or are potentially toxic to young brains when given in
doses that are too high. Giving fewer shots per visit, as well as
spacing them out over several years instead of giving them within
one year, allows the body to better process and eliminate these
chemicals without compromising protection. (See "Dr. Bob's
Alternative Vaccination Schedule" below.)
Q. Is mercury still a concern?
A. With the exception of two brands of flu shots, mercury
is no longer used to preserve vaccines. Nevertheless, I recommend
mercury-free flu shots for babies or none at all; your doctor
should carry mercury-free brands, so be sure to request them
specifically.
Dr. Bob's Alternative Vaccination Schedule:
Click here to see it
To limit side effects and avoid chemical overload, pediatrician
Robert W. Sears, M.D., author of The Vaccine Book (Little,
Brown), recommends the following vaccination schedule for babies
and toddlers ages 2 months to 3 1/2 years. It starts with vaccines
against diseases that are most dangerous to young children, then
follows with shots for rare and/or usually mild diseases. (Visit
cispimmunize.org for the AAP's recommended
schedule.)
Read more from Fit Pregnancy:
40 Weeks: Our step-by-step guide to your pregnancy
Baby Steps: Your Child's Milestones
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