??'s about my 18 mo old, HIB & Prevnar

[utahmama]

My 4.5 yo hasn't had a shot since he was 9 mo's old. My 18 mo old hasn't had any shots. Our ped is pretty cool about it, but this past visit he said he really strongly recommends that we protect our 18 mo old and get the HIB shot and Prevnar shot. He was level headed about it and said he really doesn't think we should worry about Polio and Hep B (and some others), but that meningitis is common and can be very serious up to 2 years old.

So I came home and read my Vaccination Book by Dr. Sears. I go back and forth about vaxes-worry about the dangers of side effects from getting them (auto-immune runs rampant in my family, MS, RA, thyroid problems, bad allergies, etc) but I also worry about them getting the disease itself. I think Dr. Sears is pretty level-headed and trust him, but he's kinda pushing vaccines too.

I've seen the movies and have researched a ton and still am scared to do it and scared not to.

So, does anyone have any thoughts on my 18 mo old needing or not needing the HIB and Prevnar? I'm worried about this winter coming. My 4 yo is in preschool and brings home bugs all the time. I'm glad b/c I know it's strengthening their immune systems, but I worry about them getting something serious.

Any thoughts or recommendations are appreciated! Thanks!

[KoalaMommy]

well, I did Hib and Prevnar with my oldest, but only Hib with my youngest. Of course we didn't even start vaxing until age 2. And most people will say Hib isn't necessary at that point. I only did it because it's on the list for school and I'm probably (not totally sure) going to have them up to date for school.

I actually thought DD2 might have meningitis a couple of weeks ago and spoke with a friend who is a pedi ER doc. I mentioned that DD hadn't had the Prevnar shot because our doc stopped offering them in the office. She was so unconcerned with it. I expected her to freak out and say "oh you have to bring her in to be checked then" or something, but no, she said it was no big deal that we never had them as kids and it wasn't like our generation died off from meningitis. She also said it helped more with ear infections and pneumonia. She didn't even tell me to get her caught up, just mentioned I probably could if I wanted to.

So, I guess I wouldn't personally worry about it, but that's me. I'm thinking about with the new little one if we might get the Hib at 18 months...But I'm so in to the blood/brain barrier being formed and so I don't start till age 2.

[MountainMamaGC]

Breastfeeding provides long term protection against HiB, even years later. There are studies that prove this. As for prevnar, it only protect against a few strains. It also does not provide 100% protection. I have heard of so many kids getting pneumonia even though the have gotten the vaccine.

[Gitti]

Originally Posted by utahmama

but that meningitis is common and can be very serious up to 2 years old.

The problem is that there is no vaccine against meningitis, only against a few strains that could cause it. When we try to eliminate one or two strains that have been the cause of an infection, other bacteria that are not covered in the vaccine, take the place. They can cause just as much of a problem or more. We see that the overall rate of meningitis has not gone down since the vaccine is on the market.

... but I also worry about them getting the disease itself.

Our body is designed with all the right juices to protect itself from any bacteria overgrowth. All we have to do is keep happy and peaceful. Everything in nature is designed to be balanced. Vaccine interfere with that balance.

I think Dr. Sears is pretty level-headed and trust him, but he's kinda pushing vaccines too.

I see that he is also a pawn, knowingly or unknowingly.

So, does anyone have any thoughts on my 18 mo old needing or not needing the HIB and Prevnar?

Love him. Offer him only healthy foods. Lots of raw foods. Avoid all junk/fast food. Give him joy in life. There is no greater joy for an child (of any age) than seeing his parents getting along and loving each other.

Ask any child what they would rather have: mom going to work, earing money to buy him toys, or his mom being with him to hug and talk to any time. The vast majority of kids will choose mom over anything else. Kids know exactly what's important.

I am trying to explain that the only thing important for health is a happy childhood. Create a happy childhood and your child will be healthy.

I'm worried about this winter coming. My 4 yo is in preschool and brings home bugs all the time.

99% of the things we worry about never come to be. Can you see what a waste of time worrying is?
On the other hand, we don't want to be naive and think nothing can happen. Children do get sick. We want to be prepared. Worrying is not getting prepared though.

Here is what we do: we stock up on sodium ascorbate, certain vitamins/minerals, homeopathic remedies, and lot of different lose herb teas.

Get yourself a book and get prepared for cold and flu season. A good book is from Aviva Jill Romm. But there are plenty of others. Get familiar with health and healing and learn to be your family's doctor. It's not hard. Our immune system does most of it, all we have to do is give it support.

Then relax.

[Gitti]

http://insidevaccines.com/wordpress/...ines-work/hib/

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by utahmama

My 4.5 yo hasn't had a shot since he was 9 mo's old. My 18 mo old hasn't had any shots. Our ped is pretty cool about it, but this past visit he said he really strongly recommends that we protect our 18 mo old and get the HIB shot and Prevnar shot. He was level headed about it and said he really doesn't think we should worry about Polio and Hep B (and some others), but that meningitis is common and can be very serious up to 2 years old.

So I came home and read my Vaccination Book by Dr. Sears. I go back and forth about vaxes-worry about the dangers of side effects from getting them (auto-immune runs rampant in my family, MS, RA, thyroid problems, bad allergies, etc) but I also worry about them getting the disease itself. I think Dr. Sears is pretty level-headed and trust him, but he's kinda pushing vaccines too.

I've seen the movies and have researched a ton and still am scared to do it and scared not to.

So, does anyone have any thoughts on my 18 mo old needing or not needing the HIB and Prevnar? I'm worried about this winter coming. My 4 yo is in preschool and brings home bugs all the time. I'm glad b/c I know it's strengthening their immune systems, but I worry about them getting something serious.

Any thoughts or recommendations are appreciated! Thanks!

I actually don't think menegitis is common at all...I would ask your doc to provide you with proof of this statement.

Also menegitis can happen as a result of bacteria or viruses (hence viral menegitis) HIB only protects against HI type B bacteria..prevar against 7 other strains commonly associated with pneumonia. What about the other hunbdreds of bacteria and viruses that can potentially lead to menegitis?

I happen to think the state of the host determines whether or not a bacteria or virus will become invasive so I try and focus of nurturing DS's immune system.

Ask your mother if she has ever heard of HIB or knew 1 child when you were growing up that got menengitis

[utahmama]

Thanks so much, all your feedback makes me feel much better. I try to feed them well; we eat a very clean diet. They play outside a lot and are happy boys. The last PP said to ask my Mom if she knew anyone with meningitis; my older brother actually had spinal meningitis as a baby and they didn't think he'd live through the night. The doctor's said it was a miracle he lived and is a normal adult today!
I have a question about sodium ascorbate. I've seen it mentioned a lot on here. Can someone please explain it to me or point me to a thread that gives me the info? (Like when to use, dosage, etc?). Thanks so much!
As for the vaccines; I really don't want to get them and feel that since he's 18 mo's old (and was BF until a couple months ago) I'll probably just continue to avoid/delay/whatever we're doing, lol. I have to be honest and say the fear is still there that my boys could "catch" something serious, but I'm a worrier by nature and my gut tells me that I should not vax, so I'll go with that.
Thanks again for all you advice and that link was helpful too, so thanks!