DTaP: Only one shot, then stopped the series

[Lollicup]

My LO got her first DTaP shot last week at 9.5 months old. Her first shot ever, was a month ago. It was HIB. No problems with the HIB shot, but I did notice with the DTaP, my LO was really sleepy and slept all night and not quit acting like herself. Im sure this is all "normal" part of vacx.

I really don't want to continue the series. The doctor said the vac was "preservative free". I found out later that it contained 0.3 micrograms of mercury. I brought this up to the doctor and she pretty much just brushed me off. mind you, this was a Pediatric Nurse working for a homeopathic doctor in LA!

Anyway, I was wondering what truly the risks of stopping after one vacx of DTaP. I am afraid of whooping cough and purposely keep my daughter at home most the of the time. I feel like a prisoner in my own home. I would like to get together with other babies and their moms, but I am scared and freaked out,

Anyone else feel the same? Feel free to share you stories.

[jeanine123]

My youngest had one dose of DTaP at 6 months. And none since then (he's almost 2.5yo). I haven't really thought twice about it and certainly haven't let it dictate where we go or what we do. We go everywhere and anywhere. I'm not terribly convinced that the vax works anyway, which is why we didn't continue. He's out of the most vulnerable stage anyway.

[alegna]

There is no harm in stopping.

My kids are totally unvaxed and we go out and about everywhere.

no worries here.

-Angela

[lirpasirhc]

my dd is totally unvaxed. i took her all over inner city L.A. after she was a month old.

[Lollicup]

Anyone know about the long-term effects from the very small dose of mercury in the shot? Ugh. Even though it is so very small, even a little bit of mercury concerns me. I guess I'm just being worried-mom!

[lirpasirhc]

i'm sure you know this already, but there are almost no long-term studies on vax, and there are even fewer studies w/ a control group who hasn't been vaxed, so no one knows the effects.

after reading research extensively, i'm more concerned about how the vaxes (e.g., the virus, bacteria, toxoid entering the body unnatrually and bypassing most of the immune system) affect the immune system rather than the effect of mercury. if you are concerned about the mercury, i think there are thread dealing w/ detox. i don't know much about that.

[tanyalynn]

Anyone know about the long-term effects from the very small dose of mercury in the shot? Ugh. Even though it is so very small, even a little bit of mercury concerns me. I guess I'm just being worried-mom!

I'm not a mercury apologist by any stretch of the imagination (my kids and I are dealing with significant health consequences from my amalgam fillings) but truly that amount isn't something to worry about. Is it good? No, of course not, but in the grand scheme of things, I think your worry would be more harmful than the actual metal content there.

[alegna]

Here's the thing- there's really nothing to be done about it at this point anyway- so there's no point worrying or beating yourself up about it.



-Angela

[thepeach80]

AJ had a full set of shots at 2 mos, reacted and has never had anymore. The other 2 haven't had any. They've travelled, flown on planes, been to Disney, etc.