I am actually not concerned about the thimerosal in DTaP. Although, even though they say they are mercury-free, they actually do use the thimerosal and then "wash" it out. So, there are still traces. I just know that there is a lot of evidence that the fifth DTaP shot causes side effects in a LOT of kids. And I just don't know if it's worth it - but I also know I don't want him to get tetanus or diphtheria or pertussis either.
Anyway, just wondered if anyone else has any thoughts....
Hi Snoopy!
My experience with DTap is, well, a scary one too, but not for my ds whom I think has some form of PDD, but rather, my older son who is 8. He is allergic to thimerasol. I found this out obviously when he was very young getting all those shots in such a short amount of time. I pressed to have him tested for this preservative and the pediatrician was okay with that. I am glad I did. My 8 year old is allergic to it! I was so upset with myself that I allowed him to have another one of these vaccines after he had had a serious topical reaction to it. We luckily never had an anaphylactic (sorry about spelling) reaction.
Now, of course, my biggest concern having another child was the same allergy. I only allowed one shot per visit when he was an infant, so getting his baby shots took longer and I didn't care. This son has had no reactions at all to vaccines, but I was also told by the pediatrician that there is no more mercury (thimerasol) in the vaccines anyway. My 8 year old didn't have his 4 yr. DTaP until he was 6 because the doctor wanted to be sure that it was mercury free.
Now of course, fast-forward to next year when my 3 yo who has ASD traits (no dx. yet, working on seeing specialists) is 4, well, I don't know, I think I'll be just as nervous as I was giving it to him as I was the 8 year old.
Sorry I haven't been a help. I guess I just wanted to share the same concern that you have and say that I thought that the DTaP was supposed to be mercury free.
I also have done all the shots seperately bit i stopped all vaccines when my twins were nine months and started showing signs of dev delays.
I cant help you with the individual DTAP shot other then if it makes you that uncomfertable dont give it to him.
I was that way with the flu shot. I knew Nathan needed it (astham) and all the doctors were telling me to give it to him but in the end my gut made the final call and i said no. i will not vaccinate my children until they are three years old and even then i may change my mind
My ds is due for a polio shot and a DTaP. I'm not terribly concerned about the polio, but the DTaP scares the he** out of me. I have not found anywhere where you can get those shots individually. I posted this on another thread and thought I should start a new one.
Anyone have any advice? We strongly feel that his flu shot at age 3 caused him to have more noticeable PDD-NOS symptoms - his preschool teacher contacted us shortly after to have him evaluated. She had noticed a change in him - but didn't know that he had had his flu shot. However, he was noticeably different (in retrospect) from birth - and he didn't get any shots until he was about 11 weeks old.
I know we could do a philosophical exemption, but I also worry about ds getting tetanus or the other two diseases. He enters kindergarten next year, so I have to worry about this soon...