Vaccines... Yes I'm THAT Mother, and You Will Be Too After This!

To determines my opinion on vaccines I read The Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccines by Dr. Cave, and The Vaccine-Friendly Plan by Dr. Paul. (See my prenatal and postpartum reading list.) Below I detail my research from the three books and their recommendations then what I will be doing with Stella/my future children below that. Of course, none of these talked about the COVID vaccine as they were written before the pandemic. I will not be getting the COVID vaccine. I will admit, I have not researched the vaccines, but that is because regardless of what I found my opinion would not change. COVID is not a serious threat to me or my family due to our strong immune systems and ages and the long-term effects of the vaccine have not been studied. I refuse to be part of their human trials. Or, as some of you point out, I prefer to be part of the control group. Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland, have the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, and they do not administer any vaccines prior to 3 months. I was initially going to start vaccinations at 3 months, but after seeing the list of family history diseases, which you’d be at an even higher risk for if vaccinated before a year, we’ve elected to wait until Stella is one. This is because we do not know the medical history of my husbands paternal side and believe it is not worth the risk that the family could carry one of those diseases. “European health authorities, who are less influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, have determined that breastfeeding-not early vaccination-is the key to the best infant outcomes.” (From Dr. Paul’s Book). Just another example of how important breastfeeding is, but you can see my “The Other Fulltime Nursing Job” post if you need convincing of that. (It won’t take much to convince you…)

General notes:

-Vaccines are not recommended based on the health of your individual child. They are recommended based on the country as a whole and what’s best for global health.

-Aluminum is not in fact unequivocally safe for your child to be injected with following the “normal” schedule, as the CDC will tell you, and you should avoid more than one aluminum containing vaccine per month

-The CDC/government has covered up NUMEROUS studies showing the connection between autism and other severe side effects of vaccines… Although I will not be detailing this in this post, in my next post, "So, You Think the Government Cares About You?" I will be going into detail on ways the government has completely ignored what is best for our children’s health and pushed their agenda on us.

-“It is a lie to say that all vaccines are safe for children all the time. It is also a lie to say that it has been “scientifically proven” that there is no link between vaccines and autism.” -Dr. Paul (Appendix G in Dr. Paul’s book has annotated list of all studies parents should be aware of regarding the dangers of vaccines. There are peer-reviewed studies that have shown the link between vaccines and autism.)

-“In my own integrative pediatric practice over the past seven-plus years, despite having high-risk population (I attract families with children with autism and developmental delays), I have had no new cases of autism in those following the Vaccine-Friendly Plan out of nearly eleven hundred children who are now 2.3 to 7 years old. According to national averages, I should have at least twenty-four cases of autism in this group, if not many more, given the numerous high-risk families I care for.” -Dr. Paul

-A retroactive study comparing fully, partially, and non-vaccinated homeschooled children showed that partially and fully vaccinated children were significantly more likely to a host of illnesses including allergies, ADHD, and autism.

-Doctors are “well-compensated” for giving vaccines so there is an incentive to give as many as possible

-It is NEVER TOO LATE to halt giving vaccines, your child will still benefit if you delay future vaccines even if you have already began them

Dr. Paul’s reccomends you delay vaccines if you have a family history of any of these diseases:

-Addison’s disease

-Autism

-Celiac disease

-Dermatomyositis

-Graves’ disease

-Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

-Multiple sclerosis

-Myasthenia gravis

-Pernicious anemia

-Reactive arthritis

-Rheumatoid arthritis

-Sjögren’s syndrome

-Systematic lupus erythematosus

-Type 1 juvenile diabetes

HIB (Haemophilus Influenzae type B)

At a glance: (From Dr. Sears)

Common: No

Serious: Yes

Treatable: Yes

CDC/APA recommendation: 1@2m, 2@4m, 3@6m 4@12-15m

Dr. Sears recommendation: Use a non-aluminum brand, either ActHIB or Hiberix

Dr. Cave recommendation: 1@4m, 2@6m, 3@8m, 4@17m at same time as IPV (Polio)

-should be injected in upper arm/thigh muscle

Paul: 1@2m, 2@4m, 3@6m, 4@12m

-Perhaps purest vaccine on the market (depending on brand)

-Never give as combo vaccine

- Give ActHIB brand, contains no mercury or aluminum

Concern: contains aluminum (some brands) and formaldehyde

My opinion:

I will make sure to get a non-aluminum brand and will get this vaccine for Stella/my future children starting at 12 months then 2@14m, 3@16m, 4@24m

PCV13 (Pneumococcal Disease)

At a glance: (From Dr. Sears)

Common: Yes

Serious: Sometimes

Treatable: Yes

CDC: 1@2m, 2@4m, 3@6m, 4@12-15m

Sears: contains aluminum so don't get within the same month of other aluminum vaccines

-8.1% had severe reactions BUT many were illnesses expected during infancy and may be unrelated (pneumonia, chest cold with wheezing, and gastroenteritis)

Cave: her book was written before the new PCV13 vaccine

Paul: 1@3m, 2@5m, 3@7-9m

-Avoid acetaminophen before and after

-Avoid vaccine if family history of autism, immunocompromised, or MTHFR defects

Concerns: contains aluminum

My opinion:

I will get this vaccine at 4, 6, and 10m to avoid getting the same month as DTaP since they both contain aluminum

DTAP

At a glance: (From Dr. Sears)

Diphtheria

Common: No

Serious: Yes

Treatable: Yes

Tetanus

Common: No

Serious: Yes

Treatable: Yes (partially)

Pertussis (whooping cough)

Common: Yes

Serious: Yes (for infants)

Treatable: Yes

CDC: 1@2m, 2@4m, 3@6m, 4@15m-18m, 5@4-6 years

Sears: you should be treated if exposed to whooping cough immediately even if vaccinated

-less severe side effects with DT but tetanus side effects are still there

-T not common in kids D not common at all in U.S. so could wait for dT as teens but "P" (whooping cough) is the big concern. Especially in Texas and other border states.

-Avoid Kinrix and Pediarix because they're high in aluminum

Cave: 1@5m, 2@7m, 3@9m, 4@18m booster @ 4y, Tdap booster @ 12 if titer is negative

Paul: Vaccine is helpful but not totally effective

-1@2m, 2@4m, 3@6m, 4@18m, 5@4y

-Do not get while pregnant, contains aluminum which damages cells

-Family should get boostered

Concerns: contains aluminum, formaldehyde, polysorbate 80, glutaraldehyde, and 2-phenoxyethanol

-dT has animal tissues

-Three tD vaccines contain thimerosal mercury

-Severe neurological reactions possible and lots of potential side effects like seizures

-Contain aluminum

My opinion:

I will never get this vaccine while pregnant. Since researching this, I will be getting the booster myself and if my husband has not had one in the last 10 years, I will have him get a booster as well. I will follow Cave’s recommendations on this vaccine. The only reason I’m not just holding off for the dT is because I am mildly concerned about whooping cough especially living in a boarder state and knowing whooping cough is somewhat common in Fort Worth. I will make sure to get a lower-aluminum brand and non-thimerosal l tD if applicable.

Hep B

At a glance: (From Dr. Sears)

Common: No

Serious: Yes

Treatable: Somewhat

CDC: 1 @ birth, 2 @ 2-3m, 3@6-18m

Sears: not individually important until teen is sexually promiscuous as long as mom tests negative, can be skipped if not sexually active or using needles

-recommended at preschool age because blood mixing risk increases

Cave: postpone until 5-12 years old. 2nd shot 1m after 1st, 3rd 6 months after first

Paul: There is no possible benefit (if you don’t have Hep B) so the vaccine is not worth the risk

-Only give to teens who are at risk for it through promiscuous sex or IV drug use

Concerns: "Numerous case reports of autoimmune disorders linked to vaccine"

-Contains aluminum

My opinion:

I will be raising my children that you do not have premarital sex, at the very least you do not have promiscuous sex and you should certainly wait until you are an adult to engage in sex if you’re going to. Unless I have reason to be concerned about sex or IV drug use as a teen, I will not get this vaccine. If I do have concerns about those behaviors, I will get the vaccine when those concerns arise.

Rotavirus

At a glance: (From Dr. Sears)

Common: No

Serious: Yes in younger infants

Treatable: No (supportive measures)

CDC: 1@2m, 2@4m, rotateq 3 @ 6m

Sears: Unlikely for breastfed babies not in daycare

-all children get this and it's only dangerous for children under 1

-only dangerous because of possible dehydration

Cave: does not recommend

Paul: not necessary as long as practicing good hygiene, drinking clean water, and you have access to health care in case of dehydration

Concerns: Considerable evidence that the new generation of rotavirus vaccines may cause intussusception

Contains animal tissues

My opinion:

Since my children will all be breastfed and none of them will be in daycare, as well as the fact that we have access to clean water and healthcare, I will not be getting this vaccine.

Polio (IPV)

At a glance: (From Dr. Sears)

Common: No

Serious: Yes

Treatable: No

CDC: 1@2m, 2@4m, 3@6-18m, 4@4-6y

Sears: not in U.S. but could be exposed from an international traveler or in another country

-could wait until child is a teenager

Cave: 1@4m, 2@6m, 3@17m, 4@5y

Paul: Not necessary for two months old’s unless traveling outside North, Central, and South America

Concerns: contains animal tissues and formaldehyde

My opinion:

Since there is almost a 0% chance of her contracting polio in the U.S. I will not be getting her this vaccine until we leave the country and travel to somewhere that this disease still exists Or she is a teenager.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

At a glance: (From Dr. Sears)

Measles

Common: No

Serious: Rarely

Treatable: No

Mumps

Common: No

Serious: No

Treatable: No

Rubella

Common: No

Serious: No (except for fetus)

Treatable: No

CDC: 1@12-15m, 2@4-6y

Sears: Mumps is serious in older kids, rubella is serious for pregnant women because poses risk to fetus and there can be serious side effects for kids post puberty. Doesn’t recommend waiting longer than 10 years. Doesn’t like combo MMR recommends separating them out. (No longer an option made for each disease, only combo)

Cave: Doesn’t like combo MMR. Check titers before getting booster at 4-6 years.

Paul: Get at age 3 unless your child has developmental issues (language, social, or motor delays) or autism or any regression of skills since age 1.

-Get titers tested at age 4 and 6 to determine if booster is needed.

-It is important to get at age 3 for herd immunity to protect the population from measles outbreaks.

-Children deficient in Vit A are more liley to get the measles

-It is important that a child’s immune system be mature enough to handle a vaccine that contains three live virus, that the child is in good health when receiving the vaccine, and that neurons in the brain be sufficiently myelinated.

-Make sure your child does not get any other aluminum containing vaccines within the same month as this vaccine

-Do not ever give acetaminophen (Tylenol) before or after this vaccine

- Do not give MMRV, which contains MMR and chicken pox because it associated with increases seizures

-If your family has a history of autism or there are developmental delays, autoimmune issues in your child, or a family history of autoimmune disorders, or if a child is homozygous for the MTHFR C677T mutation he does not recommend the vaccine

-Getting the measles is associated with reduced risk for allergies and having the measles sems to have no lasting ill effects. Having the measels produces life long immunity.

Concerns: Contains aluminum

-Three live viruses

-African American boys who received the MMR vaccine before 36 months of age had a 300 percent increase in the autism rate over boys who got the vaccine after 36 months.

My opinion:

I’m conflicted about this because I do not want to get her the vaccine, but because rubella can be serious for pregnant women and the developing baby, and I plan to have future children I’m debating it. I will get her the vaccine no later than when she turns 10 since the side effects for children after puberty can be severe, and at the soonest I will get her this vaccine when I get pregnant with my second child. I will come back and re-read the section on this when I get pregnant to decide if I want to get it for her then or wait until she’s at least 3 if not 10. If I do wait until 10 I will get titers drawn to test immunity before giving the vaccine.

Chicken Pox

At a glance: (From Dr. Sears)

Common: Somewhat

Serious: No

Treatable: Yes

CDC: 1@12-15m, 2@4-6y

Avoid immunocompromised and pregnant people for 6 weeks after receiving the vaccine.

Sears: You can still get chicken pox with the vaccine, doesn’t prevent chicken pox just makes it milder

-You can get chicken pox from those recently vaccinated.

-It’s worse for teens and adults.

-There are rare but serious complications with both the vaccine and the disease, Sears has seen complications from the vaccine but never from the disease.

-Immunity from the disease is better and longer lasting. Especially good for females so they don’t have to worry when they’re pregnant.

-As more people are vaccinated it’s less likely to be around and could be eradicated by the time your kids are adults.

-Doesn’t feel the vaccine is important.

-Even with the vaccine you can still get shingles, it’s just less likely.

Cave: Test for immunity at 12 and give vaccine if not immune

Paul: Does not think it is necessary and doesn’t think it should ever have been added to the list of childhood vaccines

-You will have to stay home to care for your child for about 2 weeks if they get it so you may want to get the vaccine if that is a concern

-Do not give the MMR and Chickenpox combined ProQuad vaccine

Concerns: contains animal and human tissues, longest list of severe side affects

-also contains MSG

My opinion:

Because the immunity is stronger and longer lasting after being exposed to the disease, I will not be getting her this vaccine. Especially because the disease is not severe/risky enough that the vaccine is worth the risk of complications. At 12 I will check her titers and get her the vaccine if she is not immune.

Hep A

At a glance: (From Dr. Sears)

Common: Somewhat

Serious: No

Treatable: No

CDC: 1@12m 2@minimum 18m

Sears: Wait until at least 2 to decrease chance of seizures

-More likely to be severe in children over 12 (meaning “fairly bothersome intestinal flu like symptoms for up to weeks”)

-Can get hemoglobin if exposed to Hep A

-Don’t get H avrix brand because contains 2 phenoxyethanol and polysorbate 20

Cave: Only get if living in an endemic area or traveling where it’s common

Paul: The vaccine has more risks than benefits for one year old babies

-Used to recommend for every child after age 2 but after reviewing data does not recommend vaccine (especially during preschool age while avoiding toxins is very important)

-Families traveling overseas where Hep A is common may want to get vaccine

Concerns: contains aluminum and formaldehyde

My opinion:

Since we don’t live in an endemic area, I will not be getting her this vaccine unless we travel to an area where it is common. Especially since it is treatable if exposed.

Meningococcal

At a glance: (From Dr. Sears)

Common: No

Serious: Yes

Treatable: Yes

CDC: 1@11-12y 2@16y

Sears: 1@16 y

-serious for teens/adults

-most common in dorms/barracks

Cave: give 1@college entry (or 11-18y if case in community)

Paul: Get treatment if exposed even if don’t feel sick

-Get a CBC for any child with symptoms or with a purple rash or with red or purple skin spots

-Get vaccine starting at age 11

-Avoid Bexsero because contains an unsafe amount of aluminum, protects against serotype B unlike the other vaccines but this is not usually the cause of meningitis in older children

-Trumenba protects against serotype B, but although it has a lower amount of aluminum it still contains polysorbate 80 and isn’t worth the risk unless your child is living near an active outbreak of meningitis that is confirmed to be caused by serotype B.

-CDC does not recommend routine vaccination with either of the two above vaccines.

Concerns: GBS (Guillain-Barré Syndrome) rise with vaccine

-One brand contains thimerosal mercury

My opinion:

I would get this for my child the summer before college, unless there was a case in our community when she was a teenager. I would make sure it is not the thimerosal mercury containing brand though and not either of the brands Dr. Paul recommends against.

HPV

At a glance: (From Dr. Sears)

Common: Yes

Serious: Sometimes

Treatable: Yes

CDC: 11-12y 3 doses

Sears: HPV very common, usually unknown.

-prevents cervical cancer

Cave: Doesn’t recommend especially for girls 9-18 years

Paul: In 2013 Japan stopped recommending this vaccine because of all the adverse side affects

-Utah’s Southwest Public Health Department does not stock or recommend it, citing that the risks outweigh any benefits and it’s eroding the public’s trust in vaccines

-Definitely does not recommend this vaccine

Concerns: Lots of SERIOUS side effects and MULTIPLE DEATHS

-Contains aluminum, polysorbate 80, and yeast proteins, No research on yeast proteins

-contains MPL, SDPD

-Linked to autoimmune issues

-local and systematic side affects more common than with other vaccines

-doesn’t prevent against all strains, not even all strains that cause cancer

My opinion:

I struggled with this one at first. As I plan to raise my child that you do not have premarital, and certainly not promiscuous sex, I don’t believe this vaccine is necessary. My only concern is in case of rape. With the risk of rape being low, and the risk of getting HPV from rape even lower, I do not believe the risk of the vaccine outweigh the risk of getting HPV. Especially after reading Dr. Paul’s research on this vaccine. I got this vaccine my sophomore year of college in case of infection from rape. If I’d done the research I have now, I would not have gotten it. This vaccine scares me the most out of all the vaccines I’ve researched. It has the most severe side effects and can and actually has resulted in death. You’re much better off relying on pap smears, which are extremely effective at preventing and treating cervical cancer early on.

Flu:

At a glance: (From Dr. Sears)

Common: Yes

Serious: Usually not

Treatable: Yes

CDC: Every year starting at 6 months, “some children” require two doses

Cave: Contains thimerosal mercury so does not recommend

Paul: especially do not get while pregnant because of thimerosal mercury

-Least effective vaccine because cannot accurately predict which strain will be most common. Effectiveness is highly variable and often very low

-On average kids get the flu every 2 years and adults get it twice every 10 years

-Science is in conflict on safety of CDC’s recommendation of two doses for infants one month apart

-If you do get it important to get the single dose vial to avoid exposure to mercury, multi-dose contains thimerosal mercury of 25 mg which is definitely not safe

-Having a healthy immune system is just as, if not more effective, than the vaccine

-He recommends it for nurses working in his office but interestingly none of the nurses who refused it have gotten the flu

-Doesn’t believe marketing by pharmaceutical companies is for the public health benefit

-Only get if baby has underlying health issues or asthma making them more susceptible to die from the flu

-Only 20% of infants in his practice with flu like symptoms (which the CDC bases it’s cases on) actually test positive for the flu.

Concerns: Too many questionable ingredients to list

-more chemicals than other vaccines

-Mercury and aluminum

My opinion:

I do not believe in the flu vaccine and will not ever get it for my child. I have a remarkably strong immune system. I've never gotten the flu, and never had a flu vaccine, except the year I studied abroad in Costa Rica. I believe we're much better off with a strong immune system, unless obviously immunocompromised. The questionable ingredients and chemicals in the flu vaccine is way worse than the possibility of getting the flu.

Vitamin K

Sears: administer oral vit K

Paul: benefit outweighs the risk but avoid brands with aluminum

Concerns: some brands contain aluminum, other brands contain polysorbate 80, glacial acetic acid, and benzyl alcohol

My opinion: Due to the emergency C section I didn’t get any say in the vitamin K shot for Stella, and honestly can’t even tell you what brand she got. For future children, I will get it for them but will get the oral option. If the oral option is not available, I will get a non-aluminum brand.

Vaccine ingredients and why they’re concerning:

-2 phenoxyethanol: Linked to reproductive issues

-Polysorbate 20: Tested and “generally considered safe.” The word “generally” gives me pause.

-Polysorbate 80: Recent research in mice suggests that it causes metabolic dysfunction and may be a contributing factor in the increase in chronic inflammatory diseases and metabolic disorders

-Aluminum: Known neurotoxin, vaccines contain more than what has been deemed a safe daily dosage by the FDA.

-Formaldehyde: known carcinogen

-Thimerosal mercury: Mercury is damaging to your cells, your nervous system, your immune system, and your kidneys. It is especially toxic to brain tissue.

-Benzyl alcohol: Associated with raspatory distress and death in premature babies as well as toxicity in newborns.

-Glacial acetic acid: An irritant that can cause tissue damage

-Animal/human tissues: Though they are screened for known diseases, there is risk that there are unknown diseases present that can manifest throughout life (this has happened before with monkey cells used in vaccines)

-MSG: Some studies show this can affect how the brain functions

-Octylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylate: Toxicology has not been fully investigated. They are “probably human carcinogens.

-Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide: Known to be harmful when swallowed and is irritating to body tissues

-Sodium deoxycholate: Our bodies “should” be able to handle them but there aren’t studies on precise toxicology in human infants.

-EDTA: The tiny amount in vaccines is “considered” harmless

-Glutaraldehyde: This chemical is toxic, corrosive to body tissues, and may be fatal if inhaled. Amount in vaccines “should be harmless.”

cover photo from: https://www.southnassau.org/sn/vaccine-information