Delay/Partial Vaccination questions!

[Persephone1]

Okay, this is still a work in progress and open to amendment as we go, but DH and I have come up with this:

No vaccinations until 6 months (this bit might change - I'm not convinced that he even needs them as early as 6 months). Also, we've only made decisions about the first 6-12 months, decisions about vaccinations at 12 months and beyond are still up in the air because we just haven't talked about it much yet.

6 months: Infranrix IPV (this is different to the Infranrix Hexa, does not include Hep B and Hib but does include Diptheria, Whooping Cough, Tetanus & Polio)
Prevenar (for Pneumococcal)

8 months: Infranrix IPV
Prevenar

10 months: Infranrix IPV
Prevenar

12 months: Hiberix (for Hib)
Possibly get the MMR (probably as split vaccines)
NeisVac C (meningococcal)

18 months - will NOT get the Chicken Pox vac

And beyond that, not sure. At some point we'll consider having DS vaccinated against Hep B, but I personally don't see that he needs that vaccine until he's a teenager (which is when I received the vaccine).

So essentially, DS will receive vaccinations for Whooping Cough, Diptheria, Polio, Tetanus and Pneumococcal but on a delayed schedule. We might have the Infranrix IPV and Prevenar on separate days, a few weeks apart. He will not receive vaccination for Rotavirus or Hep B, and won't receive it for Hib until he's at least 12 months old. We'll make firm decisions about the MMR closer to the time. He won't receive the Chicken Pox Vaccine.

We will have to pay for the Infranrix IPV doses because it's not covered by Medicare. Dr Lucas said that it's about $60 per dose. We have a script which we take to the Chemist to have it filled, and then back to the GP for it to be administered.

In making the decision, we considered that DS will be fully breastfed at least until 6 months, and then breastfed as long as he chooses beyond that. I was breastfed beyond 2 years, and have no problem doing that with DS. We also have no intention of putting him into care at least until he's 12 months old. We're not planning on travelling overseas, or even interstate any time soon. Everyone's circumstances are different, but these are the things that we've considered in making our decisions.

So, because Dr Lucas is not exactly local to us, we have to decide whether we go back to him for the vaccinations, knowing that he's supportive of our decision, or if we just tell our local GP what to do and expect her to support us. I'm thinking I'm going to take our schedule to our GP and tell her that we expect her to administer them. Does anyone know if the local council will administer the Infranrix IPV if we take it to them, or will that just be too "outside the box" for them?

Does anyone think I'd have to complete a COF for our delayed schedule? I don't really care either way, just curious.

[onthefly]

Thanks for that Persephone! It's great to know there's an option to skip the Hep B at least.

[Doing my best]

After talking to the immunisation register this morning, I would say that you would need COF signed. They allow 1 month after each is due before they send a reminder, then another 28 days, another reminder, then if no action they will consider cutting payments.

[Persephone1]

After talking to the immunisation register this morning, I would say that you would need COF signed. They allow 1 month after each is due before they send a reminder, then another 28 days, another reminder, then if no action they will consider cutting payments.

Does that only apply if you're receiving a Centrelink pension? Does it mean the Baby Bonus would be cut off? What I mean is - the only payment we'll receive is the Baby Bonus. If the immunisation stuff doesn't affect BB payments, I don't have any need to worry myself with a COF, cause Centrelink doesn't pay me anyway.

[allycat06]

Does that only apply if you're receiving a Centrelink pension? Does it mean the Baby Bonus would be cut off? What I mean is - the only payment we'll receive is the Baby Bonus. If the immunisation stuff doesn't affect BB payments, I don't have any need to worry myself with a COF, cause Centrelink doesn't pay me anyway.

I think it only affects CCB/R and the Immunisation allowance? But I could be wrong. We have been doing our own schedule quite similar to that and get FTB (and used to get the BB), nothing got cut off because we weren't vaccinating.

[meow]

I think if you're delaying/varying the schedule then I'd sign a COF. I've never had any useless reminder letters, I could enrol my son in child care at 2 years old with no hassles (could have been earlier if we had wanted obviously), I received the immunisation payment and I wont have hassles with school either.

[Persephone1]

Can I ask how much the Immunisation Allowance is? I thought it was only about $150 so I wasn't really concerned about it. If it's more, well, maybe I should be more interested

[meow]

It's about $180 I think. Would cover your out of pocket IPV scripts I didn't sign the form for that but having the form done is one less hassle to deal with later when enrolling for care/kinder/school etc.

[Doing my best]

Well there you go . Maybe you won't need one.. Maybe that is just what they say, and what they do are different things (not knocking them cause I have never had a problem with them)

I don't get any centrelink pensions, just family tax benefit and child care rebate..

[Visitor8]

Thanks for that hun. I was scared into vaccinating against more than I wanted today, though I was very clear last week that I wasn't doing the Hep B I might write down your schedule and approach the doctor with it. Though because the HIB vax protects against illnesses that hit between 2 months and 2 years that is one I want him to have. We do a LOT of activities and playgroups every week so he's quite exposed.

[Persephone1]

Though because the HIB vax protects against illnesses that hit between 2 months and 2 years that is one I want him to have. We do a LOT of activities and playgroups every week so he's quite exposed.

Yeah, we don't have the exposure to play groups, etc, that Elijah has, particularly as Archie doesn't have any siblings. We might have a different schedule for any subsequent babies, if Archie is in care or at school by then.

Hope Eli is recovering from his jabs today! Bug Mumma cuddles for him!

[meow]

Yeah- I was wondering about delaying Hib too. But as you can get it individually then you could do IPV + Hib to avoid HepB if you wanted. Sadly, I see HepB as similar to tetanus given that even in my safe, quiet suburb we found used needles in the park outside my playgroup So for me, I wanted HepB covered from an active age just like tetanus.

[Persephone1]

Just bumping the thread for someone.

Also, we had our first vax a week ago, of the Infanrix IPV. We're getting the Pneumococcal vax next month. We completed a CO form and got the shot at the local council, no problems.

[Lily Dust]

Persephone1

[HotI]

Thanks for the info in this thread.

I am looking for info on the Vic 12 month vaccines that are offered.
My blue book says the schedule is:
- Measles/Mumps/Rubella 1
- Hib*4
- Meningococcal group

I am considering getting one of these done, but would like info on what is in the 3 vaccines (not info on the diseases). Where do you go for this info?

DO i need to know which vaccine brands my Council does or should they be standardised State wide?

ta

[Junglemum]

HotI- 'The Vaccine book' by Bob Sears has info on how the vaccines are made and what the ingredients in them are. Other than that you could try contacting the manufacturer?

eta- i am pretty sure the brands used are state wide...

[HotI]

My library doesn't have that book (they have very few of the books i actually want) and funds are a bit tight for book buying atm.

I don't know the manufacturers either, i am kinda right at the start of investigating.

[Junglemum]

If you started a thread asking for vax brands, people have it written in their blue books I'm sure they'd help. I wish I had my copy here, I'd love to swap you for the children are people too one for a few weeks!!! Dh could bring it over in 6 weeks and I'd be happy to loan it to you if you can wait that long......

Otherwise you could ring your local Mchn and ask them what they use.