Help, feel pushed into a corner with vaccinating my son

[maybub]

Am wondering if anybody can help me with this.

After much researching we decided not to use the mainstream vaccination schedule for our son but we do vaccinate homeopathically.

My problem is this. My son is now nearly 14 months old and is very fond of everything dirty and we spend a lot of time in the garden. I contacted my Dr today and spoke with the nurse about organising a tetanus shot for him should he hurt himself. I've been told that I cannot just give him a tetanus shot but have to give him the Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough shot which for a range of reasons I don't want to do.

I asked the nurse what DS would receive should he stand on a nail and she said he'd get the DTP shot - grrrrrrrrrrr. I feel backed into a corner with nowhere to go. I have valid reasons for chosing not to vaccinate my child and did not come to the decision lightly and now I feel like I"m being forced to do so.

Has anybody been able to successfully obtain just tetanus for their children.

I'm so upset about this and would greatly appreciate hearing about others experiences (and hopefully that the clinic nurse has got it wrong...)

[Lulu]

Nah, she hasn't

DD3 fell over and split her head open last week. They asked if I wanted to give her a tetanus shot, and I really hummmed and haaa'd over it (I don't imu either), until the Dr came in and told me she could only have it mixed with Diptheria. At one stage I thought 'ah well she is 3 now, her system could possibly cope ok with the Dip but then Dr came back and said nah, it has Pertussis etc in with it as well so I said no.

However Dr and I decided the risk of tetanus in this episode was very small (clean wound, inside injury) and it wasn't worth it in the end.

BUT, I'm going to do some research on tetanus and see how I feel about things, but I'm nearly 100% certain you can't get it separate until they are 8 years old.

hth xoxox

[maybub]

Thanks Lulu, you've confirmed my fear.

I just called my naturopath who basically said the same but also said that the DTP is one of the least dangerous vaccinations and as my son is past 1yo and has a strong immune system (daily doses of flaxseed & probiotics) that she feels that he would handle it ok. She said they used to offer it singularly but don't any more... Am scared as Tetanus can kill but feel like my hand is being forced. Will mull it over some more... not happy Jan

[Schmickers]

Tetanus is difficult. Unfortunately the tetanus toxoid "booster" cannot be given until children are older.

I would suggest giving the DTP - as someone has mentioned, it is one of the vaccines recognised as "least harmful", and tetanus can be quite dangerous.

[Lulu]

Schmick - if I did go for the DTP shot for the tetanus component, what would that mean as far as the D and the P. What would the repercussions of a quarter (iykwim?) imu status?

I'm not sure that makes any sense...

[maybub]

Thanks Schmickers. I keep abreast of your posts and greatly value your opinion. We've pretty much decided that getting the vac is probably the lesser of 2 evils but I still don't feel that good about it.

Lu, Not sure if you mean administering 1/4 of the dose but if you do, I doubt that the vac would work at all...?

[Pretty Butterfly]

Lu, do you mean getting 1/4 of the vac dose, as in only the one dose, not all 4??

I *think* the first couple, at a young age, only last till the next one anyway, so if you just get the last one, your still covered, like a vac'd person.... again, I *think*....

[star22]

Hi, my homeopath has provided Ledum for Tetanus and other puncture wounds. Ledum 30c to be taken 3 times per day for 3 days after breaking skin. This might be an option for others put in the same position as yourself.