We're about to take our daughter in for her 9 month appointment. So far she is vax free, but I'm still on the fence and doing my research. Below is a fairly length of questions I'm going to give to the doc. I wanted to post them here for a little feedback and for others to use in their research process.
General Vaccine Questions
1)Where are the studies comparing vaccinated to unvaccinated? I’m assuming these exist, primarily when the first vaccines came out. From reading the package inserts, the studies are not based on an unvaccinated control group, they are based on receiving a different vaccine.
2)Where are the studies showing the appropriate age to start vaccines? All I could find was the AAP, CDC and others stating that research had been, but I couldn’t find any sort of study showing that it was better for a 2 month old than it was for a 6 year old (for example).
3)Why aren’t vaccines tailored to the individual like other medications (based on weight, etc.)?
4)Why aren’t titer tests done to prevent any form of overdosing and only administer the minimum number of shots?
5)Where are the long-term studies tracking children who received all vaccines as recommended (as opposed to each individual vaccine)?
6)What studies have been done to prove there is no “vaccine overload”?
7)Why is there no screening mechanism for potential allergens/reactions?
8)Are there any independent studies done on vaccine safety? In other words, not funded by the AAP, CDC or drug companies.
9)What is the long term effect of vaccines triggering partial immune system reactions primarily in the humoral (Th2) immune system rather both the Th2 and Th1 functions? (This may be beyond casual conversation, but I would still be interested in long-term studies that have been done).
10)According to the AAP, “Tests that check for immunity to certain diseases do not work well in young children”. If this is true, then how do they test for efficacy when developing vaccines? (Somewhat related to question 4).
11)Supposedly, there is no proven link between MMR and autism, and the study that was done showing a link was discredited, but what studies have been done to disprove a link to other vaccines, or to receiving all the vaccines as listed on the schedule?
12)(Warning – philosophical question) If vaccines are a boon to society, why is production not mandated and provided for free. If vaccine manufacturers were not shielded from liability, and could not profit from their manufacture, would they continue to produce them?
Hepatitis B – She is neither sexually active nor an IV drug user. I don’t think she would be considered to be in a high risk group. Why would we get this now?
Rotavirus – No longer in recommended timeframe, both vaccines recalled, too risky.
Dtap (Daptacel) – Maybe only 3 doses – 12, 18, 24 months
1)According to the package insert (Page 3 – first paragraph under pertussis), 3 doses provides 84.9% protective efficacy. Knowing that the pertussis vaccine doesn’t necessarily prevent the illness, but rather reduces symptoms and may reduce spreading the illness, why continue with additional doses? When looking at benefit vs. risk, hasn’t the risk been sufficiently reduced?
2)What is the efficacy after 1 or 2 doses?
3)Why has it not been tested for carcinogenic potential?
4)According to the literature I’ve read, most reactions are to the pertussis portion. The DTaP vaccine is supposed to have fewer reactions. If she has a reaction, how is there a way to tell for sure what caused it?
HIB –HibTITER – maybe 1 dose, maybe before school
1)Any risk from additional tetanus/diphtheria proteins, in addition to dtap?
2)Benefit to risk is not good.
3)Doesn’t completely prevent meningitis, just from this particular bacteria.
4)Only protects against serotype b, which diagnosed rarely. Based on MMWR and State of Michigan information (in 2008, MI had 30 cases, only 8 were under five and only 2 of those were serotype b). According to the CDC, most infections are under 5, not true for Michigan – most are over 5 – see annual VPD summary.
Pneumococcal – not likely, maybe later with more strains
1)Similar to HIB vaccine, only protects against specific bacteria, so you are still susceptible to others.
2)Does not prevent ear infections, as is sometimes touted.
IPV – not yet, will probably get later. There is essentially no risk at this point, no travel plans, no reported cases in western hemisphere in many, many years.
Flu – not likely, only possibility will be if they are completely preservative free (primarily Thimerasol free).
MMR – Would consider mumps and measles if offered separately, which allegedly may be in 2011. Possible moral issues with rubella due to link to aborted fetal cells.
Varicella – Possible moral issue, due to aborted fetal cell use.
HEP A – not likely, not in high risk groups listed on CDC VIS. May get later in life, as adverse events appear to be minimal.
General Vaccine Questions
1)Where are the studies comparing vaccinated to unvaccinated? I’m assuming these exist, primarily when the first vaccines came out. From reading the package inserts, the studies are not based on an unvaccinated control group, they are based on receiving a different vaccine.
2)Where are the studies showing the appropriate age to start vaccines? All I could find was the AAP, CDC and others stating that research had been, but I couldn’t find any sort of study showing that it was better for a 2 month old than it was for a 6 year old (for example).
3)Why aren’t vaccines tailored to the individual like other medications (based on weight, etc.)?
4)Why aren’t titer tests done to prevent any form of overdosing and only administer the minimum number of shots?
5)Where are the long-term studies tracking children who received all vaccines as recommended (as opposed to each individual vaccine)?
6)What studies have been done to prove there is no “vaccine overload”?
7)Why is there no screening mechanism for potential allergens/reactions?
8)Are there any independent studies done on vaccine safety? In other words, not funded by the AAP, CDC or drug companies.
9)What is the long term effect of vaccines triggering partial immune system reactions primarily in the humoral (Th2) immune system rather both the Th2 and Th1 functions? (This may be beyond casual conversation, but I would still be interested in long-term studies that have been done).
10)According to the AAP, “Tests that check for immunity to certain diseases do not work well in young children”. If this is true, then how do they test for efficacy when developing vaccines? (Somewhat related to question 4).
11)Supposedly, there is no proven link between MMR and autism, and the study that was done showing a link was discredited, but what studies have been done to disprove a link to other vaccines, or to receiving all the vaccines as listed on the schedule?
12)(Warning – philosophical question) If vaccines are a boon to society, why is production not mandated and provided for free. If vaccine manufacturers were not shielded from liability, and could not profit from their manufacture, would they continue to produce them?
Hepatitis B – She is neither sexually active nor an IV drug user. I don’t think she would be considered to be in a high risk group. Why would we get this now?
Rotavirus – No longer in recommended timeframe, both vaccines recalled, too risky.
Dtap (Daptacel) – Maybe only 3 doses – 12, 18, 24 months
1)According to the package insert (Page 3 – first paragraph under pertussis), 3 doses provides 84.9% protective efficacy. Knowing that the pertussis vaccine doesn’t necessarily prevent the illness, but rather reduces symptoms and may reduce spreading the illness, why continue with additional doses? When looking at benefit vs. risk, hasn’t the risk been sufficiently reduced?
2)What is the efficacy after 1 or 2 doses?
3)Why has it not been tested for carcinogenic potential?
4)According to the literature I’ve read, most reactions are to the pertussis portion. The DTaP vaccine is supposed to have fewer reactions. If she has a reaction, how is there a way to tell for sure what caused it?
HIB –HibTITER – maybe 1 dose, maybe before school
1)Any risk from additional tetanus/diphtheria proteins, in addition to dtap?
2)Benefit to risk is not good.
3)Doesn’t completely prevent meningitis, just from this particular bacteria.
4)Only protects against serotype b, which diagnosed rarely. Based on MMWR and State of Michigan information (in 2008, MI had 30 cases, only 8 were under five and only 2 of those were serotype b). According to the CDC, most infections are under 5, not true for Michigan – most are over 5 – see annual VPD summary.
Pneumococcal – not likely, maybe later with more strains
1)Similar to HIB vaccine, only protects against specific bacteria, so you are still susceptible to others.
2)Does not prevent ear infections, as is sometimes touted.
IPV – not yet, will probably get later. There is essentially no risk at this point, no travel plans, no reported cases in western hemisphere in many, many years.
Flu – not likely, only possibility will be if they are completely preservative free (primarily Thimerasol free).
MMR – Would consider mumps and measles if offered separately, which allegedly may be in 2011. Possible moral issues with rubella due to link to aborted fetal cells.
Varicella – Possible moral issue, due to aborted fetal cell use.
HEP A – not likely, not in high risk groups listed on CDC VIS. May get later in life, as adverse events appear to be minimal.
