We had our 2 month check-up this week, and after much researching and discussion, DH and I decided that DS would just get the HiB at this visit. I told the ped that we were not planning to do Prevnar and were undecided on RotaTeq. (We also are not doing Polio, and are not doing Hep B in childhood). I also said we were planning to do DTaP at a later visit, but were feeling uncomfortable about the aluminum and possible reactions to the shot.
Then, of course, our ped tried to talk up all the positives of the vaxes and tried to dismiss some of my concerns (the neighborhood that I live in, which this ped office serves, is very "crunchy" and there are most likely many non-vaxing or s/d-vaxing parents...) I wouldn't say she tried to "force" me to change my mind...more that she was trying to share her viewpoint. She gave me some handouts that another doc in the practice had gotten together for "parents with concerns" - none of which really addressed my concerns - one was an article by Offit.
Anyway, here's my Prevnar question. We decided to not do this one because my understanding was that the 7 strains currently covered are no longer the most common ones (not to mention the aluminum). Do I have that right? Or is it that those strains are still as common, but not the ones causing doc visits/hospitalizations because of the success of Prevnar? I read something that said the 7 strains covered are the 7 most likely to cause meningitis? Is that true? Do the other Pc strains not cause meningitis? I read the Pink Book and other stuff, but don't feel clear on this. The main reason we got the HiB for our EBF, stay-at-home baby was because he will be around a great-grandmother from time to time who lives in an assisted-living facility, as well as with the grandparents who visit great-grandma every day. Ped said that would be a good enough reason to go ahead with the Prevnar, too...since both HiB and Pc may be more prevalent in the assisted-living community.
Also, she suggested that DS is at risk for infectious diseases when I take him to New Mom Support Group and LLL meetings because we're with a bunch of other babies. I was wondering about this. At this point he just is on my lap, often in his sling, throughout the meeting. He's not playing on the floor, grabbing things, putting things in mouth yet. When he's old enough for that stuff, we'll bring our own toys. I know going to daycare or being part of a big playgroup is a risk, but sitting in a meeting with other moms and babies (and sometimes toddlers)....is that a risk?
Then, of course, our ped tried to talk up all the positives of the vaxes and tried to dismiss some of my concerns (the neighborhood that I live in, which this ped office serves, is very "crunchy" and there are most likely many non-vaxing or s/d-vaxing parents...) I wouldn't say she tried to "force" me to change my mind...more that she was trying to share her viewpoint. She gave me some handouts that another doc in the practice had gotten together for "parents with concerns" - none of which really addressed my concerns - one was an article by Offit.
Anyway, here's my Prevnar question. We decided to not do this one because my understanding was that the 7 strains currently covered are no longer the most common ones (not to mention the aluminum). Do I have that right? Or is it that those strains are still as common, but not the ones causing doc visits/hospitalizations because of the success of Prevnar? I read something that said the 7 strains covered are the 7 most likely to cause meningitis? Is that true? Do the other Pc strains not cause meningitis? I read the Pink Book and other stuff, but don't feel clear on this. The main reason we got the HiB for our EBF, stay-at-home baby was because he will be around a great-grandmother from time to time who lives in an assisted-living facility, as well as with the grandparents who visit great-grandma every day. Ped said that would be a good enough reason to go ahead with the Prevnar, too...since both HiB and Pc may be more prevalent in the assisted-living community.
Also, she suggested that DS is at risk for infectious diseases when I take him to New Mom Support Group and LLL meetings because we're with a bunch of other babies. I was wondering about this. At this point he just is on my lap, often in his sling, throughout the meeting. He's not playing on the floor, grabbing things, putting things in mouth yet. When he's old enough for that stuff, we'll bring our own toys. I know going to daycare or being part of a big playgroup is a risk, but sitting in a meeting with other moms and babies (and sometimes toddlers)....is that a risk?
