What are some of the reasons for not having babies vaccinated and given the various shots that are normally given during the first year?

A.

There are only a few absolute contraindications to giving routine vaccinations to infants and children including a severe allergy to any vaccine component and severe neurological effects following pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination. Severe allergic reactions include generalized hives, wheezing, swelling of the mouth or throat, and shock. An individual can be allergic to the vaccine antigen, various animal proteins used in the manufacture of some vaccines, and antibiotics, preservatives or stabilizers used in the vaccine preparation. Vaccination may also be contraindicated in a child with HIV infection, a child receiving chemotherapy, radiation or long term steroid therapy and in the presence of a severe illness.

Some people have religious or philosophical objections to vaccination and choose to avoid all or some of the routine vaccinations. It is imperative that these people to educate themselves about the benefits and possible risks of each vaccine and understand each disease process in detail. Tetanus, for instance, is a very nasty disease and is fatal in 30% of cases even with sophisticated medical treatment. The tetanus bacteria is widespread in soil and dust, and can easily infect even a minor wound in an unvaccinated person. Diphtheria is also very serious and fatal in as many as 20% of cases. Pertussis or whooping cough, while rarely fatal, produces a spasmodic cough that can last for months. I have worked several parents who decided not to vaccinate their children only to be very distressed when their child got pertussis and coughed to the point of vomiting for months. Choosing not to vaccinate is not a decision to be made lightly.

In my practice I have worked with some parents who felt uncomfortable with giving their child multiple vaccinations at the same time. In these cases we have worked out an alternate vaccination schedule to give each vaccine separately. This requires a high level of responsibility on the part of the parents since visits for vaccination have to be scheduled every few weeks and it is vital to complete the entire series of each one to ensure adequate antibody levels.

I recommend that you talk with your child's pediatrician about all of the diseases and vaccinations so that you can make the best choices for your child's health.

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