Putting Information Behind the Immunization Ouch.

Okay, your child may not agree that reading up on vaccination schedules will make getting the vaccine hurt any less--let's be honest, shots hurt. And, for many parents getting their child immunized is downright painful for them too . . . but it doesn't have to be.

On March 31st, Noah received his first round of vaccinations. Vaccinations are scary. We've heard first-hand and read second-hand accounts of children suffering life-long disabilities from receiving vaccinations, as well as, children who have fallen ill because they haven't. As with many decisions that parents must make for their children, this one was extremely difficult.

As the vaccine debacle rages on, we were committed to finding a comfortable compromise between the dogmatic medical community's perspective and that of those who support a more natural approach to vaccinating children. Dr. Robert Sear's alternative vaccination schedule published in his book, "The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for your Child" shone for us like a beacon of hope in this dreary debate. His schedule allows you to receive fewer vaccinations at each infant checkup by spreading out the shots out over a longer period of time and preventing your child from being exposed to so many nasty toxins all at once.

The "standard" two-month check-up, for example, crams in five, yes, five (!) vaccinations for immunization from all of the following really scary things: diptheria, tetanus, pertussis, haemophilus influenzae, polio, hepititus B and pneumococcal. On the other, more gentler hand, our pediatrician, who was more than willing to meet us middle way, gave Noah two vaccinations at this appointment instead. We'll return next month for the next few.

While this alternative schedule may not be for everyone--after all you do end up spending a little more time at the Doctor's office--we appreciate the peace of mind that a subtler approach brings to this unnecessarily invasive "growing pain". So, for those of you who may be currently wrangling with the decision yourself or who might be thinking of having children, we encourage you to give the vaccination issue some thought and a little research--just put a little info. behind that ouch. Even if you decide to not deviate from the American Academy of Pediatrics' standard vaccination schedule, at least you will have made an informed decision . . . and though our little ones can't escape the ouch that a shot can bring, they at least deserve an informed ouch.