Guarding your child’s health with shots

I know there is a lot of controversy surrounding immunization shots and autism.  Although scientists are saying there is no correlation, some parents are rather skeptical.  So, should you get shots for your child or not?  We decided that not getting shots present greater “known” dangers than not getting one.  Besides, it’s not just our child’s health, but others as well, right?

The only thing we requested from our pediatrician was that the shots are made WITHOUT any mercury.  We were told that most shots do not contain mercury these days, but call ahead to make sure that is the case.  In addition, keep a detail record of all shots.

Birth to  2 months: Hepatitis B (Hep B)

2 months:  DTP (diphitheria, tetanus, pertussis), OPV (polio), Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B)

2 to 4 months: Hep B
4 months: DTP, OPV, Hib

6 months: DTP, Hib

6 to 18 months: Hep B, OPV

12 to 15 months:  Hib, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)

12 to 18 months: DTP (or DTaP at 15-18 months), Var (chicken pox)

Before starting school (4 to 6 years): MMR, DTP or DTaP, OPV

11 to 12 years: Var (if your child has not had the chickenpox shot, and  has never had chicken pox), Hep B

11 to 16 years: Td (tetanus, diptheria)