The last thing I like seeing at my kids' annual check-ups is for them to witness them get a vaccine. Especially in their legs--ouch!! When my son was 6 months old, he got a total of 7 vaccines in one visit! I was not a happy parent, and he was definitely not a happy baby that day. And out of concerns I had developed from rumors about links between the MMR vaccine and autism, I postponed getting my son's MMR immunization until he was almost 2 years old. I wish now that I had been a bit more informed and done my research. I wasn't quite so uptight about vaccines with my second child and she turned out fine.
That's not to say there aren't risks associated with childhood immunizations. But rather than may assumptions or remain ignorant, it pays to find out as much information as possible about the benefits and risks of vaccinating your child.
For more information, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration here for a Parent's Guide to Kids' Vaccines.
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I delayed Emily's MMR also. When we moved when she was about 15 months and took her in for her 15 month check-up, they told us she was "behind" and wanted to give her eight shots all in one visit. I said no way. We gave some at 15 months and some at 18 months. With Jacob, since he's been in daycare, he's had all of his shots on time. But they are two very different kids and I didn't worry as much about him having a reaction to anything.
ReplyDeleteI really like the new Rotavirus one they give kids. I don't think they offered that when Emily was little, but I know Jacob had it and it has made a HUGE difference. We've had a couple of stomach bugs now and Jacob has managed to avoid them all (knock on wood!)
I've not heard of the Rotavirus vaccine. That must have come out a little after my daughter's shot series, since she is a little older than Jacob. I'm not too happy with all the shots the kids need, but it is a necessary evil, I suppose.
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