Pneumococcal vaccine?

[Wabi Sabi]

If your toddler had a known immunodeficiency and is prone to getting pneumonia (she has had it twice so far) would you consider getting the pneumococcal vaccination for her this year? I'm really torn. The kids won't be getting flu shots, but I am concerned about dd getting the flu and then developing pneumonia.

[Marnica]

I may consider it, but I would do some heavy duty research about the vaccine, it's efficacy, it's potential side effects etc before making my decision.

[Noelle C.]

In her specific case, the risk of the vax might be lower than the benefit. Do your research and try to find unbiased sources and decide from there.

[ammiga]

Personally, no, I would not get that vax. I would be afraid that the vax would lower dd's immune system even more and that she may or may not get pneumonia, but that her system would not be able to handle other illnesses that came her way as a result of vaxing.

I would take very proactive measures to keep dd healthy. I would eat a very healthy diet, take natural vitamins, eat almost entirely whole foods, breastfeed as much as possible and anything else I could come up with.