Talk to me About Prevnar 13!

[dot1]

I've always considered myself a selective/delayed vaxer and tried to carefully research all (staying away from sources that made extreme claims either way!)   I consider myself pro-science...and for better or for worse, have had some training in how to evaluate published studies and it has made me a huge skeptic after learning of how few really good quality studies there actually are in the medical field...but that's a topic for another discussion!).

Anyway, I don't know what to do about Prevnar 13.  My oldest (age 5) had only 1 prevnar shot when it covered 7 strains.  I decided not to continue after reading about invasive pneumococcal disease increasing, caused by serotypes not covered in the vaccine (can't remember the source, but I believe it was a study in Pediatrics journal).  Since she had no history of antibiotic use, had no older siblings in schools, was currently breastfeeding and was only attending a small dayhome (daycare) I decided that her risk was pretty minimal.

Skip ahead to dd2, now 12 months.  I delayed her vax, and so far have only done 2 rounds of the combo (Hib/polio, tetanus, diptheria,pertussis)-I declined the version with Hep B.  

She hasn't had any ear infections, nor antibiotics...but she does have an older sister in school and will be attending daycare.  She is currently breastfeeding (mostly actually). I think her risk is relatively low...or is it?  

I really don't know what to do.  I can't find any references on the Cochrane reviews site other than that they suggest it is helpful to prevent IPD, etc. (basically that it has some effectiveness).  But I can't find any hard numbers that help me to assess our personal risk level.

I've searched the site (including Dr. Sears forum) and am having trouble coming up with anything to help guide this decision.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

[ma2two]

CDC Pink Book chapter on pneumococcal

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/pneumo.html

Prevnar 13 package insert

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/UCM201669.pdf

VAERS reports for Prevnar 13

http://medalerts.org

click on the red "search now" link. Under #3 "Choose vaccine selection" click on "PNC 13"

For "vaccine count" choose 1, so you know the symptoms couldn't be from any other vaccine.

Then click on "find" (any one of the "find" buttons will work)

There are 977 reports, and it will give you an idea of the types of reactions that are possible.

[dot1]

Thanks!  I REALLY appreciate those links :-)

Wow my head is swimming with data.

I also have a history of epilepsy.  And I am suspecting possible allergy in my baby (13 months).  She had a reaction to kiwifruit (mouth hive/vomiting/lethargy/purple lines under eyes) but has not been tested for that allergy.  She has been tested for milk, soy, avocado and all were negative (skin prick IgG).  She tested positive for allergy to cat.

They did seem say that the Prevnar13 studies had a longer follow up period than other vaccines, so the rates of reactions may have been affected by that (or maybe I'm misinterpreting....).

Basically, I'm afraid of her having an allergic reaction or seizures.  She did well so far with 2 doses of hib/polio/dip/tet/pertussis.  But I took that risk because of the risk of tetanus and pertussis.  

I'm just not sure if she actually has a significant risk of pneumococal disease.  Back when it was Prevnar with fewer strains, there was some studies that suggested an increase in other disease strains.  But now that Prevnar 13 covers them I wonder....and will it result in increases of the strains NOT covered in Prevnar13?

What strikes me is that data from cdc does not mention breastfeeding and it's impact on risk profile.  She's mostly exclusively breastfeeding still (reflux limiting solids intake).  I think I'll have to search for that on pubmed, etc.

 

What would you do in my shoes?

[ma2two]

QUOTE: What would you do in my shoes?

I wouldn't vaccinate with Prevnar 13, but I don't vaccinate my kids at all. They've never gotten a vaccine.

That's why I was careful to just post the links and no opinions, since this is the "Mindful Vaccination" forum, with "support only" in the guidelines.