Blog
Alternative Vaccine Schedule
What is the Alternative Vaccine Schedule?
Are Alternative Vaccine Schedules Safe?
Concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy are the leading reason why parents seek out an alternative schedule.
No vaccine is completely free from adverse events or complications. Childhood vaccines carry the risk of adverse events ranging from mild to severe, including rare cases of fatal reactions.
Alternative schedules aim to reduce the risk of a vaccine-related adverse event.
Proponents of alternative schedules believe that an alternate plan that’s created around a child’s individual needs and risk factors is safer than the “one size fits all” approach to immunization presented by the CDC.
Those in favor of following the CDC schedule believe that delaying immunizations can increase a child’s risk of contracting a vaccine-preventable disease.
It can be difficult to determine which schedule is safest for your individual child, but you can consider a few risk factors to help you make that decision.
Is There an Alternative Vaccine Schedule for Sick Kids?
How to Plan Your Alternative Vaccine Schedule
-
-
- Determine which vaccines are medically necessary based on your child’s individual risk factors. Assessing the risk of adverse reactions from a particular vaccine and potential disease exposure is an important first step. For example, a baby may be more susceptible to certain disease exposures if they are in daycare or if you will be traveling out of the country with them.
- Determine the best age to administer vaccines. While the CDC recommends administering the Hepatitis B vaccine on the day of birth, some parents may decide to delay this vaccine until their children are school-age. Decide on the optimal age to offer your child protection while minimizing the risk of adverse effects.
- Understand your personal vaccine timeline and optimal combinations. You may have a timeline for vaccinating your child to meet school entry guidelines. Knowing what your timeline is can allow you to get educated about the optimal vaccine combinations to reduce the risk of adverse effects.
- Some states allow vaccine exemptions based on personal or religious beliefs. However, some states do not allow parents to make these decisions and mandate vaccines. Understanding how your state laws determine your ability to plan an alternate schedule is important.
-