deciding to start vaccinating at 4 and 6 yrs

[loveandgarbage]

Hi All! With this new format I feel somewhat safe asking this here. So my 6 yr old was vaxed on schedule through his 6 month shots, then I got scared and stopped. My 4 yr old only had one shot, the hep B after birth (forgot to tell them not to and it happened so fast). I've recently changed my tune on vaccines (well, I've always waffled) and have decided there are some things I want my kids vaxed for. Has anyone BTDT and which vaccines did you choose? At my kids' last doctors appt the ped came up with what looked like a laundry list to "catch them up" and it seemed like waaaaaay too many to me. I think I'll go with the chicken pox vax (never did find that pox party), tetanus and possibly other stuff like pertussis. I also decided to give them the flu shot this year mostly to protect myself as I'm pregnant and only get sick when they bring viruses into the house (and I get it 10 times worse) but I have a bad reaction to the shot so will decline.

[marsupial-mom]

I would use the World Health Organization's guidelines for interupted or delayed vaccinations: http://www.who.int/immunization/policy/Immunization_routine_table3.pdf

I think it would come out to be about 9 vaccinations or so.

[prosciencemum]

I was thinking about this while I was cleaning my teeth, and thinking that the vaccinations themselves might be quite stressful for your children. Babies sort of forget them (or can be nursed through them), but I know the shots my daughter got pre-school (so age 4 and over) she does remember, so at age 4 and 6 this has to become part of the decision.

 I would be inclined to look at advice about how many to get at one time to minimize their stress, and think about what distractions/treats to give them afterwards. The second/third visit may be tough (but we all know that doing the right thing for our children is not always the same as doing what they would prefer!). Once I'd decided how many to give at once I would pick my top (say it's 2) vaccines and give them, then worry about the next 2 and so on. 

Just my thoughts - not basing this on any experience as my 2 have been vaccinated on the recommended schedule(s) (plural since they had different ones being born in different countries!). 

Great idea to use the WHO guidelines too as a starting point. 

[loveandgarbage]

Thanks for the advice! I will check out the WHO recommendations. Prosciencemum that's been on my mind too. They did great with their flu shots and got a little prize from the doctor plus I made cinnamon rolls when we got home. So I think I'll promise some sort of treat after each round of shots.

[prosciencemum]

Originally Posted by loveandgarbage 

Thanks for the advice! I will check out the WHO recommendations. Prosciencemum that's been on my mind too. They did great with their flu shots and got a little prize from the doctor plus I made cinnamon rolls when we got home. So I think I'll promise some sort of treat after each round of shots.

Sounds like a fantastic idea. I also find my daughter responds well when I explain (in language appropriate to her age) what the vaccination is for. 

Best of luck with it all. :)

[Turquesa]

If you're in the States, I actually recommend the CDC's catch-up schedule. It may not be different from the WHO's but it tends to be what doctors use here.

We ended up doing DTaP. The pertussis component is notoriously ineffective but I'm banking on some preliminary evidence that it can at least make the disease milder. We're also doing MMR and polio. I really don't want to monkey with the measles, and I'm OK with helping to eradicate wild polio. If they haven't caught chicken pox by early adolescense, we'll do that one, too. HTH!

[loveandgarbage]

Wanted to update this thread, in case other mamas are in the same position. My kids both got the DTap shot today. They were troopers! My younger son was actually jealous that his brother got to go first...? Our ped (who is very understanding of non/delayed vax stances) said that the DTap was her only recommendation at this point. 

[Dakotacakes]

glad to hear things are going well! Cute that they compete for who can go first!

[prosciencemum]

Good to know. Well done to them. I hate going to get shots.