Advice for delayed/partial vaxxer

[PocketMamma]

Hi everyone,

I have a 5 1/2 month old son who is so far non-vaxed. I'd like to partially vaccinate in the next couple of weeks for whooping cough, tetanus and Hib (same as his 19 month old sister). As they both had unexplained convulsions shortly after birth I want to chose the 'safest' vaccine possible. I guess my options are to use the 4-in-1 + Hib, the 5-in-1 or go with the free 6-in-1. I don't want the Hep B vaccine but maybe the 6-in-1 is safer as it's newer?

I've noticed my son has what I believe is myoclonic jerking and this appears to be getting more frequent at feeding which I will mention to the doctor - I'm not sure if this should have any bearing on which choice to make. My main concern is the risk of further convulsions.

Any advice would be most appreciated on this extremely difficult parenting decision.

[Trillian]

I don't have any advice for you on which vaccination to use, but if it were me, I'd be like you and wanting to find out if he is considered to be in a higher risk group because of the convulsions etc before i did it.

[~ Mylitta ~]

I also don't know what vaccine you should use, but I just wanted to mention that while the newer vaccine "should" be safer, it's also the least tested in the general public. It's such a hard decision to make isn't it? Especially with littlies in a higher risk group.

[PocketMamma]

I also don't know what vaccine you should use, but I just wanted to mention that while the newer vaccine "should" be safer, it's also the least tested in the general public. It's such a hard decision to make isn't it? Especially with littlies in a higher risk group.

Thanks Mylitta - your point has made my decision even harder lol

It IS very hard. Before I had my daughter vaccinated (we were living in London at the time) I asked her paediatrician if there was any danger in vaccinating her given the infant convulsions and he was adamant she would not be at any risk. However I didn't find that reassuring so we ended up taking her to see Dr Richard Halverson (author of the hugely interesting "Truth About Vaccines") at his Babyjabs clinic in London - he offers single vaccines. It was such a relief to talk to a GP who had done so much research and totally understood our concerns. We started her on a course of single vaccines however moved to Oz shortly afterwards so had to finish her vaccine boosters here (which unfortunately meant using the combined vaccines).

As my son has been having these tremors I am even more worried about vaccinating him and very frustrated that single vaccines aren't offered. I am seriously considering not vaccinating at all because of this.