Briefly, LNF, don't you have to start the RV series before 12 weeks in order for it to be effective? I may be misremembering this... RV is not one we do.
Hi P&H!
I liked the Stephanie Cave Book and the Sears book. Unfortunately, as you say, things change so quickly that those book already seem outdated. As far as I can tell, though, some vaccines (such as the DTaP) haven't changed much in the past few years. I also liked The Virus and the Vaccine (about the monkey virus in polio) just because it gives some insight into the system and the problems therein. I read Evidence of Harm a while ago... I remember thinking there were some interesting parts and Vaccine: The Controversial Study of Medicine's Greatest Lifesaver. I wish I could tell you which of those last three books was the best and what was good/bad about each, but I read them years ago, and they run together in my mind.
Anyway, unfortunately (maybe), I do get a lot of "up-to-date" information from the internet. Some of it does come from scientific journals and mainstream news sources. I do read Barbara Loe Fisher's blog and occasionally check the NVIC. I wouldn't consider those sources unbiased, but they do often cite journals, and if I want to read more, I can read the journal articles themselves. Honestly, I don't have the time or inclination to be reading every issue of Pediatrics (and the myriad other journals), and those online sources often pull together a lot of interesting material for further reading.
Here's what we're doing--
Nothing for now. I have no interest in the Hep A, Hep B, or HPV vaccine. If any of my children decide to have themselves vaccinated with those as adults, that's their decision. I question the long-term value of the PCV vaccines and HIB (because of serotype replacement); also, breastfeeding gives great protection against HIB. HIB, in my understanding, is most dangerous in small babies, and you don't get full immunity from the vaccine before the 4th dose at 12 mos... that's a lot of vaccines (at 2, 4, 6, 12 mos) for not even full efficacy. IMO, the Rotavirus vaccine is popular because of the rapid spread of orally/fecally transmitted diseases in setting where small children congregate (day care and nursery facilities) and we don't use either one. DD and I caught the worst virus I have ever experienced from two fully vaccinated children (so either the vaccine didn't work, or it wasn't RV) Also, the history of safety with that vaccine isn't great.
That leaves MMR, DTap, Varicella, and Polio (aside from the chicken pox, these are the only vaccines most of us received). I will probably (maybe) do MMR after age 4, because if you wait that long only one dose is necessary
(info in Sears book). I don't think the IPV is very reactive, but I also question it's efficacy (since, in countries where Polio is endemic, the OPV is necessary). I'm undecided. DTaP is, from all I can read, possibly the most reactive vaccine (or possibly it just shows up in the vaccine reaction records because so many doses are given?) DD had three doses with no reaction. DS won't have any until he can talk to tell me how he is feeling afterwards. I hope all my kids have chicken pox for natural immunity; if they don't, I would probably encourage the vaccine around age 12.
Wow, that's a lot. I hope it's helpful!
