Unfortunately, every clinic has a different plan. At our clinic, you get no shots at the 2 year well-child visit. All are done before then - even the MMR. They actually try to do that one at 12 months in addition to the varicella. I didn't let either child do that. With my dd, I had them separate the MMR into three separate shots - they can be ordered separately from Merck. They fought me on that, and I finally just said that I wanted her immunized, but I would not get the MMR for her. If they could separate the shots, I was very willing - but not all together. Miracle of miracles, they somehow found a way to do this! We are in a new community now and she doesn't need her booster until age 5 - so my first question when interviewing a pediatrician will be what his/her policies are on separating the MMR vaccine.
I would guess she would need the MMR at least at 2 years - but you need to double-check what she's had against what your state mandates for kindergarten. I believe states can differ in what they mandate.
One shot that hasn't been mentioned (probably because it isn't something you would get at a well-child visit) is the flu shot. That DEFINITELY still has thimerosal in it, although I believe it can be ordered in a thimerosal-free vial. However, most clinics don't do that as it is more expensive and so few parents ask for it.
Another word on thimerosal-free vaccines. They are actually not thimerosal-free. They still have traces of thimerosal in them. What is done is that they put the thimerosal in for a preservative and then "wash" it out. So traces are left in as far as I know. We saw a significant regression in my son's behaviors after we got him a flu shot when he was 3. He is fully immunized but we spaced the rest of his shots out - which there weren't very many after that. But he will never again get a flu shot. I might consider the FluMist as that isn't an immunization. But, I have to do more research on that...
Since no one knows for sure. Why don't you just hold off? You can always get them later on. I am waiting until my little ones are about 3.5, so I then I don't have to wonder.
No flu or Hepb shots here either. I did notice a regression in Brendon when he got his first MMR. When he had the booster receintly, I was worried to death. He didn't seem to regress after getting it. I refuse the flu shot each time it's offered. My family looks at me like I'm crazy for not getting it when I can. I just say one word and give them a look. The word is thimerasol. I was so happy the other day when my cousin/best friend/aunt (all one person) called me and asked me, "what's that chemical that's in the shots that I have to watch out for?" After talking to me, she decided to do a delayed schedule on her baby girl.Hi Nicole,
I am a family doctor turned SAHM for now and perhaps I can help you to sort through this...
First, exactly which shots is your child behind on? Here is a website where you can go and print out a list of the shots that do and do not have thimerosol in them. You want to avoid thimerosol which is ethyl mercury (and 50% mercury by weight I believe):
http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/thi-table.htm
Second, because current theories on the possible cause of autism involve not only the brain but the immune system and the GI tract, I would highly recommend separating the shots whenever possible. Do not allow your child to have one injection that rolls 4 or 5 immunizations into one as this may be too much for the immune system.
Third, in general, the polio or IPV shot has not been connected to autism as far as I know. The DTaP without thimerosol is much safer than older forms of the DTP, but again, no direct connections that I know of. Be careful with the HepB, Hib, and MMR...The first two because of thimerosol, and the third because of the immune system in my opinion.
If you share more specific info, I'm sure that we could help you more.
I will have to get a list from her PCP on what exactly the shots are,but they are the ones you would get at a 2 yr. well child check up. If that help any?? Thanks for responding so quickly.My daughter just turned 2 and has 5 shots to catch up on,she is about to start testing for possible autism/PDD,I don't know exactly what the link between the two are but I keep comming across things about it. Should I wait until after the testing or go ahead with the shots?? The tests are for the next 2 weeks. What exactly is it about shots that have some people holding off? I have never heard of this connection with shots before now. Thanks again guys!the shots and autism is a very controversial issue. lots of people feel both