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General health

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Original poster

spread them out?

96 replies

surfmama · 07/08/2012 16:32

has anyone spread out jabs? dd is due first lot soon and i think i want them spread out. does this go down like a sack of sick?

OP posts:

Tabitha8 · 07/08/2012 18:08

Like a sack of sick with whom? It's always your choice. We were going to do that.

Sidge · 07/08/2012 18:18

It's your choice but they are scheduled the way they are for a reason - to do with immune responses etc.

They are spaced with an immunological basis not randomly so if you want to spread them out you may want to bear that in mind. For eg pneumococcal vaccines are given at 8 and 16 weeks for an optimal response. If you spread them out bear in mind you will be taking your baby for vaccines quite frequently!

Ultimately it's your prerogative though, the schedule isn't compulsory.

ElaineBenes · 07/08/2012 18:33

Is there a reason you want to spread them out?

Original poster

surfmama · 07/08/2012 19:13

hello thanks for your messages. Sidge I had wondered that. I just thought it seems like allot to introduce my wee one to and thought i could enquire about spreading them, let her get over a few at a time...

OP posts:

Tabitha8 · 07/08/2012 19:20

Other countries have different schedules, I think. So it's unlikely that ours is the Holy Grail of schedules.

Sidge · 07/08/2012 19:27

No it's not the Holy Grail but in many countries the spacing is similar. Some start younger and offer extra vaccines but often the intervals are similar especially where the same vaccine combinations are offered.

bumbleymummy · 07/08/2012 21:13

surfmama, there shouldn't be a problem with spacing them out. There may be a minimum length of time to allow between certain vaccines or even what people may consider to be 'ideal' spacing but there shouldn't be any 'problem' as such with spacing them out more. If your child was sick for any reason they would be delayed, people go on holiday and some surgeries just get really booked up! There are all sorts of reasons why they wouldn't be done exactly to schedule.

I think Dr Richard Halvorsen suggests an alternative schedule that some parents choose to go for. Maybe you could look into that?

Original poster

surfmama · 08/08/2012 10:24

thanks bumble I am really interested in Dr RH - his charges are out of my reach... am sad about this whole thing, don't know why it is such an issue for me, but it really is. I can't explain it, have a complete anxiety over the jabs. Has anyone seem Dr RH and had an alternative schedule? I could then discuss this with my practice?

OP posts:

ElaineBenes · 08/08/2012 12:07

Surfmama

Perhaps if you say what you're feeling anxious about, people can help. You shouldn't need to feel sad. For example, the idea of immune overload is a myth.

bruffin · 08/08/2012 12:57

Please don't use Dr RH, he is just a scaremonger. He is just an ordinary gp who makes a nice little earner in Harley Street from people like you.

He has been in trouble recently for false advertising

Original poster

surfmama · 08/08/2012 13:42

I don't know elaine! where has this issue come from in me. I just think she is so tiny and struggling with a bit of reflux as everything develops, and worry that introducing these things to her will make her struggle even more. I guess I don't understand the vaccines enough so will do some reading, and maybe have a bit of a medical phobia for some reason. bruffin i did wonder about this....

OP posts:

saintlyjimjams · 08/08/2012 13:51

You can't spread them out unless you go to someone like Dr H (I don't agree that he is a scaremonger - for starters he's given all the people I know who have seen him individual advice). They're incredibly difficult to get hold of except in the usual package. The people I know who have seen Dr H have all been impressed with him.

If anyone does find a single tetanus (or even a DT) please let me know. The only person I have found who will separate out the jabs is Dr H, an whilst I would be happy to see him travelling overnight is very difficult for us so would be interested in anyone else offering them who might be closer.

According to my GP it can't be done in any way except the standard way (even if you pay). You might try a local private GP. I tried our local one, who sympathised, thought about it a bit, then said he was concerned he would end up at the GMC so for now he was saying no.

bruffin · 08/08/2012 13:53

Here is a list of websites that WHO considers give credible and safe information

saintlyjimjams · 08/08/2012 14:02

Although tbh I'm actually just dying to ask you where you surf

Tabitha8 · 08/08/2012 14:24

Dr H does suggest, in his book, an alternative schedule that uses NHS vaccines, I think. I'd have to check that but I think it's at the end of his book.

saintlyjimjams · 08/08/2012 14:50

They were available at the time Tabitha, but don't seem to be now. I think his book was written before wP was standardly replaced with aP - it seems to be much harder to get variations now.

Of course you can still space out the jabs (although you have to be careful about leaving too long between tetanus boosters iirc) but you can't easily split them now.

Tabitha8 · 08/08/2012 14:53

Drat, I see what you mean.

ElaineBenes · 09/08/2012 00:51

Surf mama

I know what you mean. My oldest was very very sick after she was born, we nearly lost her and then 2 weeks in the nicu with us not knowing if she was brain damaged and the extent of the damage. When she was discharged we were told she was at increased risk of sudden death so we went to infant resuscitation training and she was on a heart monitor for the first few months! We were very anxious parents!!!

Bruffin has given a list of great websites where you can find reliable information. Be very careful about google - there's a lot of misinformation and scaremongering out there in the crankosphere.

I also recommend talking to your gp. As someone said, some vaccines as given at a certain age for a reason. You also want to know which vaccines are not advisable to delay - if there's an outbreak of whooping cough, itd be good to get your little one protected ASAP. Your gp should know what's going on locally. Remember youre entitled to have your concerns taken seriously and addressed.

bruffin · 09/08/2012 08:01

The IOM review of vaccine safety also has a lot of useful information on the vaccines and also the diseases themselves.

bumbleymummy · 09/08/2012 08:44

surfmama, please remember that you can delay them if you do not feel comfortable. Do not feel pressured into something you do not feel comfortable with. Very few people would tell you to ignore your maternal instincts except when it comes to vaccines. Take your time and get as much information as you need. The schedule is not set in stone, it is only the recommended schedule and, as I said earlier, there are plenty of reasons why vaccines can be delayed. I would run a mile from anyone who told you otherwise, ignored your concerns and just tried to push you into something you don't feel happy with. Get the reassurance that you need before you proceed.

saintlyjimjams · 09/08/2012 09:17

Prior to the introduction of the MMR the baby jabs were started later and given over a linger period of time (I think although this is from memory they were started at 6 months and given over 6 months). Of course different jabs are used now - but whilst you do have to be careful about the gaps between tetanus jabs there shouldn't 'be any major reason why the course couldn't be started later and spaced our a little compared to the standard schedule.

What you will find difficult to do now is to split them. Ten years ago you could quite easily, on the NHS, but now that's very difficult. (I have been half heartedly trying for about three years to find a way to do this).

saintlyjimjams · 09/08/2012 09:18

By split them I mean give DT on one visit, men C on another etc etc

ElaineBenes · 10/08/2012 02:16

What a load of tosh about maternal instincts, bumbley.

When my baby was in the nicu, it was against my maternal instinct to let them take blood from her. Yet I did it. Why? Because I understood that she was ill and they needed to find out what was wrong.

In exactly the same way, when I took her for her jabs, it was against my maternal instinct to hurt her and cause her pain and discomfort. Yet I did it. Why? Because I knew that I was doing the best thing for her.

We do have higher functioning than our instincts. My dog behaves instinctively. I think.

bumbleymummy · 10/08/2012 07:49

Maternal instincts are 'tosh' now. Ok EB. Good to know your opinion. So you think we should all ignore our instincts when we think there is something wrong? Or only with regard to vaccines? I'm not sure your drawing blood example really applies here because you knew that they had to take the blood in order to help her and make her better.
Surfmama does want to vaccinate, just on a different schedule and she has concerns about the current schedule. I think she should be comfortable with her decision so those concerns should be addressed.

Btw, many doctors think maternal instincts are important when they are assessing a sick child. Not everyone thinks they are 'tosh'.

bruffin · 10/08/2012 09:13

Of course they are tosh, but vaccines are there to help and prevent a child from getting ill not sure what you think they actually do? but unfortunately they involve an needle that hurts and usually some mild side effects, but if you have an ounce of intelligence you know you are doing the best for your child.
Maternal instinct has been proved to be tosh when it comes to

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