Spaced out vaccine schedule

[Wardles888]

I’m not a pediatrician but would like to hear your opinions on spacing out the two month vaccine schedule rather than doing all six at once. I’m concerned about my 2 month old developing a fever or other symptoms afterwards

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[DeadCactus]

Multiple Vaccinations at One Time

The vaccines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for use in all children do not interfere with each other and, as needed, can be safely given together during a single visit. The immunization schedule is created to ensure they are as effective as possible to protect your child...

www.healthychildren.org

 

[SurfingDoctor]

It's fine to give them as scheduled and always has been.

Wait till your kid goes to daycare and then licks everyone else's boogers. Then you'll see some fevers.

 

[Stitch]

All spacing out does is make the child susceptible to preventable diseases. There is no benefit. Take fever to mean that the immune system is doing it's job and remember that fever isn't harmful in any way.

Bob Sears designed a spaced out schedule, but there is absolutely no science or benefit to it. Also be aware that "too many too soon" is a frequent phrase you will hear from antivax sites and quacks (just mentioning it in case you google it and run into it).

 

[PTPoeny]

As a pediatrician I made sure both my kids had their 2 month appointment on the earliest day possible. I have seen too much pertussis and pneumococcal meningitis to wait even one more day. Fevers aren't bad for kids.

In case a personal anecdote about what one pediatrician did for their own kid helps.

 

[GoSpursGo]

FWIW, I do have some sympathy for ya in a world where a fever means a COVID test and probably a day or two home from daycare. But I agree with everyone else, there is no good scientific rationale for delaying. As someone whose kids developed fevers after shots, to me if you delay/split up vaccines that just gives them more distinct opportunities to spike fevers--so instead of getting them stuck home once at 2 mo, you might wind up with them being stuck home multiple times because you chose to space the shots out

 

[Step Up]

Fever is not a bad thing. It means the body is doing a fantastic job of building up immunity after a vaccine, and it will go away quickly. Fever is certainly not a reason to worry about vaccines. Yes it may happen, but it's not a bad thing!

 

[BigRedBeta]

There's no guarantee that spacing them out will reduce the chance of fever. In fact, it's quite possible that they would get a fever with each one.

In my opinion, now as a parent of 4 (Kindergartner, 2 y/o, infant twins), the 2 month shot visit is the easiest. They're still smushes, they don't fight back, and most of the time they sleep really great after getting their shots. While it's purely anecdotal, none of my kids got fevers at 2 months, while the 2nd got fevers at both 4 and 6 months, and one of the twins did at 4 months.

 

[SurfingDoctor]

My most memorable vaccine was when my oldest maybe 7 years ago got a flu vaccine (some time in pre-K). He was crying but consolable. Then he got that flu shot in the thigh, his eyes dilated and he tensed his leg. The nurse took the needle out and the muscle tension caused blood to squirt on the nurse.

Precious memories.