Quote:
Originally Posted by BigRedBeta
No offense to anyone here, but in my humble, yet growing medical opinion, there is (other than religious) ABSOLUTELY no reason not to vaccinate your children on schedule. I say this as current medical student and future pediatrician.
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In my humble opinion as a parent, I believe it is well within my rights to choose to delay vaccinations if I feel it is in the best interest of my child(ren). My child (and any future ones we may have) will all be vaccinated appropriately by the time they enter kindergarten (most likely even by the time they enter preschool). I will not skip vaccinations (except varicella. I'm still undecided on that. There are benefits and risks to both the vaccination and catching chicken pox naturally.) I will not let my child have his shots if he is in any way sick, even if he just has a small cold (which is how we got delayed in the first place). But I will always catch up, even if it takes a few months or a year. Our family doctor (who serves as my son's pediatrician) is completely understanding and on board with this.
Again in my humble opinion as a parent, the best thing you can do as a future pediatrician is continue your research and allow yourself an open conversation with your patients parents. Talk with them and work with them on figuring out a schedule that works for them if they feel very strongly about vaccinations. Don't try and push your personal opinions on them. Almost every parent I know who has chosen to delay has done extensive research - reading books (both pro and con) and reports from the CDC - and come to their decision independently.