I recently ordered Dr. Robert W. Sears book, The Vaccine Book. For anyone questioning whether to vaccine, which vaccine to choose, and why anyone would question vaccines, this book is for you.
Each chapter covers a vaccine, most of which cover more than one disease.
It is written in an everyday language, much like reading a blog. In fact, when exclaiming my favorite parts to my husband, he told me it sounds like my blog.
I was flattered.
Dr. Sears (son to the famous The Baby Book author) addresses each issue in a non-biased attitude, but at the end of each chapter includes a “The Way I See It” section. However, he NEVER at any time takes a tone of “You MUST take this vaccine” or “No one in their right mind would take this vaccine.”
Here’s a little background info on how Dr. Sears first started questioning vaccinations himself:
He was your typical “Don’t Question Vaccinations” doctor until an anti-vaccine friend coerced him into reading an anti-vaccine book. That book sent the good doctor to the library to research the matter more thoroughly. After thirteen years of studying this topic, he published his findings in this book, The Vaccine Book.
He understands the benefits of vaccinations. He also understands when one vaccination is not as important as another. And, most importantly, he understands and is not afraid to inform a parent when the side effects of a vaccination outweigh the benefits. He does not judge parents who choose not to vaccinate. Rather, he tries to educate them on the risks and what they can do to protect their child without vaccinations, just like he educates those who DO vaccinate on the risks they are taking as well.
I’ve only read three chapters so far, but suffice it to say, I’m impressed. He dispels many rumors that float around here on the internet. But he’s not afraid to educate the reader on the vaccines that really are scary.
He even includes, at the end of the book, his own recommended vaccination schedule.
Anyway, I thought I would document what I learn about each vaccine, and my decision about whether or not Benjamin will be receiving that vaccine.
And because I lead such a busy life, I will set the bar real low and say in advance, I will be covering only one vaccine at a time.
I was going to write my first installment tonight, on Haemophilus Influenzae Type B Disease and the HIB Vaccine, but no. Benjamin woke up.
Until next time!
I look forward to reading your postings, and I think I might buy that book as well. You got me hooked on Dr. Sears’ website when I first saw you mention him/them.
I am very much looking forward to reading your posts!!! Thank you for telling us about this book… my husband and I are expecting, and we have been wondering about vaccines a great deal. Thanks!
Word. I’m looking forward to this. We’ve modified Alex’s schedule to end up with everything, eventually. Right now I’m having kittens over the flu vax – we’re in the middle of flu territory right now apparently and didn’t get the vax b/c of RSV (as in he had it at the time) so I guess we’re not leaving the house without a bubble for the next week. Sigh.
I’m buying this book. I told Tig. he he. Then maybe I can make a decision about her 18 month shots…
Ooh – can’t wait to read what you discover! 🙂 We ended up following a (mostly) “normal” schedule for our first – and were lucky – he didn’t have any problems. I’m questioning whether or not we want to do a modified schedule with our new little guy. Luckily, we’re planning a homebirth (we have great CNMs here who do home births!) so we won’t have to deal with any of the vaccines until he’s 2 months old. Gives me a little more time to think / study / plan. 🙂
Looking forward to what you tell us. I haven’t read that book, but from your review it sounds like it at least tries really hard to be balanced.
Full disclosure: I went to 2 well baby visits, decided they were a waste of my time and that the pediatrician was far too interested in giving parenting advice that I disagreed with, and haven’t been back. And it’s now almost a year later. 😉 So that tells you how “crucial” I feel vaccines are. (We have been back a few times when he was sick, and so far no one seems to have noticed that we have skipped the WBVs.)
Are the US vaccines the same as the Canadian ones? I wonder. I’ve been putting off my sons 6 month shots as I’m not sure what to do. So I’ll be interested in what you have to say regarding this.
Thanks
So glad that you found the book. It was so helpful to me when I was trying to decide on a schedule for my little one. I hope it will do the same for you.
FYI: Just found this post which discusses vacinations. Its very indepth, but thought you might be interested to read it.
http://azuroo.blogspot.com/2008/02/this-article-is-eye-opening.html
Talks alot about flu vaccine, in elderly, but im sure is applicable to young children.
P.S Hope little Benjamin is feeling better soon, and Olivia doesnt catch the same bugs. 🙂
Yea Beth!
Good for you for doing your own research. I’m a firm believer in it being each parents decision. It was hard for me at first because I kept looking at what others were doing, but once I realized it was “our” decision to not vax, I felt at peace.
p.s. Your goodies were mailed today!
good to hear nice things about this book. I want to check it out. I like Stephanie Cave’s vaccination book too.
That book in on my Amazon list. It sounds like the most balanced and informative vaccine book. I’m glad you recommended it. I should order it sooner rather than later.
I was actually a little disappointed by his book, as I thought it treated some of the things that have actually happened to people as speculation. I was glad, at least, that he is supportive of the idea that vaccines don’t need to be given as suggested. The schedule is lunacy to me, but it is convenient for parents and doctors. I have written a bunch about vaccines here:
http://lilirishlass.blogspot.com/search/label/Vaccines
Just to clarify ;), the schedule I feel is lunacy is the CDC’s schedule. 🙂
Also, I’d say this vaccine book is way better than ANY of the vaccine books that are written from a doctor/western medicine perspective. So if someone is NOT a natural type and really believes in doctors and western medicine, this is probably the best book on it they could swallow. 🙂 I appreciate the fact that Dr. Sears balances his doctor-ness with common sense.
As a registered nurse who works solely with children, I am frightened by the amount of misinformation about vaccines on the internet and in blogs. I agree that parents should do their research and do what is right for them and their family. I have done my own research (both on the internet and in peer reviewed medical journals) and I fully intend to vaccinate my children on the standard CDC’s schedule. I consider myself to be a natural and holistic type and still find this to be the best plan for my family
I suggest reading this article: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/123/1/e164
More please! I think your posts are really interesting and informative on vaccines.. I’ve read the Hib one like 4 times to make me feel better about giving my kiddos this shot.. I’d love you to write more about the other vaccines that you’ve researched if you have the time and interest!