The first metro Atlanta students begin heading back to school next week, and that means the rush is on to make sure kids are up-to-date on their vaccinations. But a growing number of parents want more control over their children's vaccinations.
The CDC says there's a reason we give children so many shots so early in life. That's when they're most vulnerable to serious illnesses like measles and whooping cough. By the age of two, most kids have had about 20 shots, and by six, 30.
Dr. Mehmet Oz says he and his wife used a modified vaccine schedule for their four children, and it was complicated.
At the Clayton County Board of Health in Jonesboro, parents are already bringing their children in for vaccinations. With just a few days until school starts, immunization program coordinator Chishaunna Calhoun says it's time.
"We're giving everything kindergartners need, 6th graders need, 9th graders need, college students need," said Calhoun.
But with kids getting up to 30 vaccinations and boosters by the end of 1st grade, some parents worry they're getting too many shots, too soon.
"I mean the child is the size of your palm, and we're sticking needles in them. So I completely hear that, I understand that," said Dr. Oz. "That said, the risks of vaccines are significantly less than the risks of the illnesses they prevent."
Parents are increasingly calling the shots, and switching from the government's vaccine schedule to an alternate that allows them to delay, spread out and limit the number of vaccines their kids get to two at one time, instead of up to six.
"In my own family, we had this civil war. My wife did not want my own kids having these injections all the time when they went to the pediatrician's office when they were young. I, as a physician, had seen all the information and felt very comfortable it was the right thing to do," said Oz.
Dr. Oz says they compromised with their four children.
"We used a modified schedule in our family, but it was not easy to do. And that's a big warning for everybody. I had to spend a lot of time making sure if I delayed something by a month it didn't get forgotten," said Dr. Oz.
If you decide to alter the schedule, find a doctor who will work with you.
"And then make sure you're on top of that schedule like your bank account. That you're meticulous and making sure every single thing gets done in the right order," advised Dr. Oz.
According to Dr. Oz, that could mean more appointments and follow-up visits for you and your children.
"Without question, if you're doing the alternative schedule it will mean more time back in there, and more times the kid has to go back in there for injections. It's a big hassle," said Dr. Oz.
Dr. Oz says make sure your child is healthy when vaccinated so you don't have an illness mixing in with the vaccine. H says although he tried modifying the schedule, he doesn't recommend it because it takes work.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:08 AM EDT2013-06-17 14:08:03 GMT
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