Stephanie Tatel said the non-vaccine side was "a question for another day."

Okay Slate, BRING IT. Tomorrow is another day. Let's see the other side's POV.

Yes and then Slate should do a series on all the great evidence for a 6 thousand year old earth.

That's just because she was too polite to say the non-vaccine side is "a bunch of idiot morons"

To clarify, I have chosen to have my three children vaccinated, albeit on a more conservative schedule--only 2 to 3 vaccines at a time. This inconveniently requires more frequent visits to the pediatrician's office, but I feel it's the right path for us. Therefore my children are not germophiles reeking havoc on the unprotected delicate immune systems of others. And I feel we're being careful to avoid an assault on their own immune systems.

And creationism vs evolution? Completely lost with that link. However, if blueshift requires my stats to determine if my comments are worthy of posting, then here they are:

I am a 29-year-old Mormon mother of three. I'm a vegan, a half-marathoner, yoga and meditation addict. I have voted Democrat in the past two elections (but unfortunately supported W the first time around; what can I say, I was an undergraduate idiot). I don't know my IQ, I suppose it's above average, like most people like to do. I am a product of private and public schooling. I am the daughter of a wealthy physician yet married to a man of modest means who works in the public school system. I am a novice organic gardener and composter. We create our own biodiesal fuel for our vehicles. Do multiple degrees in English lit add anything? I'll throw that in in case it does. 5 ft 7 in, A positive. Neighborhood crime watch captain (appointed position) but volunteered to be the social committee chair because what can I say, it just sounded like fun. Oh, and add to all those fun facts that I live in SOUTH CAROLINA...and guess what??? I DON'T think the South will rise again. Isn't that great?

People are paradoxes. Why you link a 6 thousand year old earth to non-vaccinators is a mystery to me. Perhaps a passing dinosaur could elucidate?

Oh, and I am an evolutionist. And I want marijuana to be legalized for medical use. Yet I've never even tried any alcohol or recreational drugs. Does that fit the typical Slate reader profile?

I have to ask: What on Earth is a "half-marathoner"? Do the left and right sides take turns running in marathons? :)

Yes, and going in circles is oodles of fun ;) I've run the 13.1 mile distance but can't hack it and make the full 26.2 marathon yet. So I can make it half way. But it's not because it's a half-a--ed attempt on my part; I'm really trying!

Veggie, the only thing you are which matters is uninformed.

Please, prove me wrong. Show me the scientific evidence supporting the safety of your modified vaccination schedule. No doubt it's been tested extensively, in thousands of children of varying age and race, so that even a small risk of adverse event can be detected with statistical significance.

Oh, wait--you say you don't have that evidence? Then why, exactly, is your schedule in any way superior to the one put forth by the CDC--you know, the one that has been extensively tested (and that continues to be tested every day as new children are vaccinated and adverse events are reported). What, other than your vague notion that the current schedule is "too much, too soon" gives any credence to your position?

By all means, provide the evidence, and I will gladly concede that I am wrong. Until then, however, please disabuse yourself of the notion that spending time at Google University in any way qualifies you to speak on the technicalities of vaccination. You are, of course, free to raise your children however you see fit, but please do not kid yourself that your actions in this respect are in any way guided by rational evaluation of the evidence.

"However, if blueshift requires my stats to determine if my comments are worthy of posting, then here they are:"

Didn't mean to give that impression. Your stats are quite laudable but irrelevant.

"Why you link a 6 thousand year old earth to non-vaccinators is a mystery to me."

My point is that sometimes the two sides to a story mentality is a disservice. The anti-vac crowd- which I'm not lumping you with- has no credible evidence on their side. Similiarly I don't want the POV of someone that claims tobacco doesn't cause cancer or CFC's don't harm the ozone layer etc.

Wintermute, there are medical studies that show combining vaccines can cause issues.

The MMRV vaccine doubles the odds of febrile seizures in infants. <link>

And the CDC agrees: <link>

So there is some evidence that taking more shots, but less combined might have health benefits.

You're absolutely right winter, there is absolutely no scientific evidence that a modified vaccination schedule is any safer. And isn't that a shame that it hasn't even been explored? It's due to a lack of funding. Moms like me just have chump change compared to big Pharma.

I'm not claiming a degree from Google U (Jenny McCarthy staked that claim ages ago). In fact, I'm not basing my decision on anything other than sheer, personal mother's intuition. You're right, it is a "vague notion" that the CDC's recommended schedule is too much, too soon. You asked for evidence, and I'm sorry I don't have any; that's all I've got. I appreciate the CDC and NIH (I worked for a couple years submitting public health grants to these agencies and am really impressed and grateful for their research). I don't think I know more than them. I do think I know my kids, though. And I do think my own intuition and feelings should not be completely disregarded. That's why they're part of the decision-making process for MY kids; yet I'm not trying to make that decision for YOUR kids (if you have them).

The fact is, I'm not out there to convert anyone to a non-vaccine or slow vaccine agenda. I don't want to concede that I'm wrong, and I don't want you to concede that you're wrong. Let's learn from each other.

I'd hate for my kids to be banned from any preschools or gyms because they aren't fully vaccinated by the age of 2. But if that's they're policy, then fine. I'd look elsewhere and make other arrangements. Just like the author did. But my kids will be fully vaccinated by the time they start public school kindergarten.

Hypothetical here, what if there were a conflict where the author's child was in my child's preschool class? I think I'd be willing to accommodate their needs by moving my child to another class or another program. There's a certain altruism to simple flexibility. But I wouldn't want to change our shot schedule.

In other posts people mentioned concern over simple conditions like strep, mono, colds, viruses, etc. I agree with their point that those illnesses would also jeopardize the sick child. It seems the home environment is best to truly try to keep your sick child safe. Speaking from experience, 2 1/2 year old children typically do fine in preschool groups or at home, especially if they have a sibling to play with. I don't think the author's child would be missing out on normal childhood activities by doing that.

It seems like having a healthy child who can overcome leukemia and then join up with a preschool group in a couple years would be the ideal scenario. I truly wish them all the best.

Jeffrmarks,

It should be pointed out that this comparison was between a combination vaccine with the MMR and the varicella component formulated together versus the MMR vaccine and the varicella vaccine given in separate injections (still at the same time). This evidence suggests that combining different vaccines into one formulation is not a trivial change and should be explored carefully. It does not demonstrate that there is a safety advantage to spreading the vaccines out (it does not say that there is not either - the studies were not designed to address that question).

I do think it raises an important point that the survelliance system we have in place was able to detect a safety issue associated with a vaccine that the process resulted in a change in recommedation for the administration of the vaccine. For big bad pharma conspiracy theorists, it should also be noted that Merck spent a considerable amount of money developing the MMR-V vaccine and yet that did not stop ACIP from changing its recommendation in the face of accumulated data. An example of the system working as it is supposed to. Yea!

we've chosen a delayed vaccination schedule, too. i had not considered how a child with cancer would be affected and it is something we'll include in our decision-making when we decide what steps to take next in vaccinating our three sons.

i'm curious about why people expect science to provide all of the answers in questions like this. medicine is constantly being pulled off the market because it had unintended (negative) effects and new warnings arise even with medicines that are decades old. it isn't that science isn't meant to guide us, but healthy skepticism about the idea that our unique bodies will have uniform reactions to drugs or vaccines is necessary.

my instincts tell me that putting too many chemicals in my sons' very small bodies at one time is hazardous. (hence the delayed schedule.) i never want my actions (or lack of action) to hurt anyone else but i know my first responsibility is to my family. if i go against my better judgment and my children are hurt because of it (and people do get hurt- that's what the vaccine injury database tracks!), then am i not at fault?

so you guys take care of your kids as best you can and let me do the same.

marlo wrote:

". . . my instincts tell me that putting too many chemicals in my sons' very small bodies at one time is hazardous. (hence the delayed schedule.)"

As I said in another thread, your sons will soon be injecting more dangerous live bacteria into their small bodies than all the vaccinations they will ever get. Babies put things in their mouth, and small children play in dirt and step on rusty nails. It always happens. If you do not give them a DPT shot you are risking tetanus, which is a horrible way to die. So I hope this delay is not long.

Parents who forgo vaccinations completely usually get a free ride with measles or mumps. They can count on other parents acting responsibly. Sure, they still endanger the child for no reason, and exposing him to far greater risk than the vaccination would, but the chances are they will get away with it. But tetanus is as prevalent as it ever was.

great comment...vaccine paranoia is simply Creationism for liberals.