Vaccinations / Montgomery County

[Periwinkle]

My two 11 month-olds are coming up on their 1 year peds appointment in 3 weeks. I am HORRIFIED about having them get MMR and Chicken Pox vaccines, which they are "scheduled" to get at this visit - the MMR for its risks and the Chicken Pox (varicella) because I think it's ridiculous to innoculate children against this disease and don't want them to have unneeded vax.

So far they've had every vaccine except Hep B which for some reason I sensed was nuts and was smart enough to say No Way... but in the last couple of months I have done lots of research and have learned about the real risks associated with various vaccines. Now I am almost sure I don't want them to get any more.

Problem: they are required for entry into preschool or Kindergarten in Montgomery Country according to the County laws:

http://edcp.org/pdf/Min_Vacc_Req%2003_04.pdf

Maryland does not allow philosophical waivers, only religious (which we don't fit) and medical (which I seriously doubt their ped would consent to).

I just need some advice from Montgomery County moms who've been through this, especially those dealing with MC school system - our twins will attend public school I think. How did you handle it? Did you delay the vaccines (especially MMR) and then let your 3 or 4 year old get them, i.e., just to get in the required doses in time for entry to school (hoping to sidestep any health risks due to delaying the vax. Did you get a waiver? How have the school systems handled it?

I need some good info, because my gut tells me to delay, but I don't think we can afford pricey D.C. private schools (at least $10K per year per child!! :jaw ), so I'm worried we don't really have a choice.

Please HELP!! :(

[Clarity]

The MCPS school form I found online had the exemption section right on the school form. Use it. Tell them you have religious objections (they cannot require it to be a particular church.) If you don't want to come up with a reason some are ok and others not, tell them you either have none, or had some, but have had a new religious revelation and will not be having any more.

[Artisan]

I teach in Mont. County and have an 11 month old DS. While I haven't run into this problem yet (I teach high school), I have found a GREAT doctor, who has been very supportive of my decisions to delay vaccinations. Surprisingly, we met her by chance after I was assigned to her by my insurance provider.

We will be waiting until just before our son enter school to get the MMR, if at all. I would HIGHLY recommend Stephanie Cave's book, "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations." She gives specific info on every vaccine and timelines for administration.

HTH!

Sharon

[Quirky]

Well, to start with, I assume you've got a couple years before they would start pre-school (at age 3 or 4??) so there's nothing that says you need to give them these vaxes at their 12-month appointment if you don't want to. You can always vax them later, before they would start school, or, if you decide not to do these vaxes, then you can decide to invoke the religious exemption.
But in any event the "schedule" is only a recommendation, and you are in control of when and whether your kids get any vaxes!

From what I understand the authorities are not allowed to inquire as to the basis of the religious exemption - i.e. they're not allowed to ask "so, what church do you belong to, and what are the basis for your religious beliefs," etc.

I'm very happy with our ped, Dr. June Fusner of Kensington Pediatrics, who has not given me any hassle about delaying vaxes for my 9 month old ds. She had me sign a waiver form for the records at our appt. today for CYA purposes but she's cool with it, although I think she'd prefer that we do get them eventually (I haven't entirely made up my mind yet about what we're doing when).

I also recommend Aviva Jill Romm's book on vaccinations - not only does she discuss the risks and benefits of the vaxes and the risks of the diseases, she also talks about how to recognize and treat the diseases if your child does get them.

[Periwinkle]

Jane - This is great advice. I guess I was thinking more "on schedule or not at all", but delaying does make a lot of sense, especially since they wouldn't start preschool until at least age 3 I suppose.

:OT it was great meeting you today at the zoo! I hope we can all do this regularly. It was lots of fun, rain and all. :)

[Periwinkle]

Update...

We had our 1 year checkup today. To my great surprise and relief, their (fairly mainstream) pediatrician was on board with our decicion to avoid Varicella vaccine in hopes they'll get it naturally and to delay the MMR (and try to see if they still make all the monovalent vaccines). Now we didn't bring up not vaxing at all (cross that bridge when the time comes, if we even want to that is), but I was happy she was so willing to work with us to go outside the traditional CDC recommendations.

She said main reason to get Varicella vaccine is for parents to avoid the hassle of having their kids have the chicken pox (something I've read before, but was rather shocked that SHE was saying that too) and had no problems delaying (or not giving)it since my two are healthy.

As for MMR, I'm going to see if I can locate just the Measles vax by itself. Maybe they could actually get Mumps and Rubella themselves, but it does bring up the issue that due to mass vax, there are no longer a lot of kids who have these childhood illnesses to expose them to, thus pushing these diseases into adulthood anyway. :blah :blah :blah

Anyone in Montgomery Country have a kid with Chicken Pox, Mumps, or Rubella?!?!? :confused: No one ever does of course...

Just wanted to check in with an update. I'll post new info as I find it re: availability of monovalent vaccines and any good legal stuff for this area.