1. Discuss with your doctor which vaccines are necessary for you child.  After all, one size doesn't fit all.
2. Avoid immunizing when your child is sick or recently recovered from an illness.
3. Do not give your child a vaccine containing thimerosal. Insist on thimerosal-free vaccines. Those on the CDC routine immunization schedule should be thimerosal-free. Those not on the routine schedule, including the flu shot, typically contain thimerosal. If you give the flu shot, a thimerosal-free version may need to be special-ordered by your pediatrician.
4. Always ask for and review the vaccine’s package insert. Read the section on ingredients so you know what is in the vaccine and have the opportunity to ask the doctor any questions.  Check for the following potentially harmful ingredients, which are called adjuvants: aluminum, antibiotics, and formaldehyde. In addition, if you are aware that your child is allergic to monosodium glutamate (MSG) or eggs, let your doctor know, and check the package insert for these ingredients.  Note that all flu vaccines and the MMR vaccine contain egg protein.  If you have questions, do not be intimidated from asking your doctor.
5. Only get one vaccine per visit. This may require multiple office visits, but giving one at a time (such as one vaccine per month) reduces any complications from the interaction of multiple vaccines. It will also allow you to know precisely which vaccine caused a problem if there are any adverse reactions. We still don't know the unique vulnerabilities of each individual, which may cause complications from even one vaccine, because research hasn't been done yet to identify those biological markers that would tell us if a child has a pre-existing disposition.  
6. Ask the doctor to check for titers. Via a simple blood test, the doctor can check to see if your child is already immune to a specific disease via previous exposure or vaccine. If the titer shows your child is immune, further vaccination (boosters) for that specific disease may not be necessary.
   
   

Before You Vaccinate, Ask About Thimerosal

Dr. Lawrence Rosen, Medical Advisor to The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology®, recommends the following as one possible alternative schedule in Growing Up Green, Baby and Child Care. 

1. Starting at two months, one per month of Haemophilus influenzae B (Hib), pneumoccocal (Prevnar) and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP) vaccines.  Because each child requires three of each vaccine, this will take nine months, and all of these vaccines can be completed by the child’s first birthday.

2. Second year: three for polio; three for hepatitis B (one at a time); and MMR (sometimes split, sometimes together, depending on the family’s wishes) and varicella vaccine (one each).

3. Check titers of all antibodies at four to five years old. 
(Note: This method of spacing vaccines may require signing a waiver with your doctor.)

Considerations Regarding Vaccine Policies and Procedures:    

1. Whether or not your child has an immune system disorder or dysfunction  
2. Whether or not your child has a mitochondrial disorder or dysfunction, or other evidence of metabolic dysfunction including oxidative stress 
3. Check titers for MMR and varicella vaccine; these are currently the only widely accepted titers. Varicella titers do not reliably measure vaccine immunity but do reliably reflect wild-type varicella immunity. Titers for other vaccines (polio, DTP) can be obtained but are not universally accepted as proof of immunity. 
4. The current vaccine schedule should allow for greater flexibility, supported by third-party payor reimbursement for more frequent visits if needed.
5. Health care providers should not have financial incentives to vaccinate according to a universal vaccine schedule which does not allow for individual care to children. Compliance with the universal vaccine schedule should not be considered an indicator of quality of care.
6. Health care providers should not have legal disincentives to providing flexible scheduling based on each child's individual health needs. Standards of care should include flexible scheduling based on documentation of each child's individual needs. 
7. Know your family history, especially if it includes autoimmune problems like diabetes, celiac disease, thyroid disorders or hypothyroid disease, including Hashimoto's Disease.  
8. Influenza vaccine: There is a lack of data for safety and efficacy for the flu vaccine in children under two years old. Families also need to be offered a choice. Note that FluMist (nasal vaccine) has no mercury but contains MSG, is available for use in children two and older, and may not be covered by insurance. Single-dose FluZone vaccine (Sanofi) doesn't contain thimerosal or aluminum, but does contain formaldehyde and egg protein. You must ask for thimerosal-free flu vaccine as the majority of commercially available flu vaccines contain thimerosal.
9. We support legislation to ban thimerosal, other toxins (neurotoxins and carcinogens), and other potentially harmful ingredients from vaccines, such as formaldehyde and aluminum.  
10. Medical and religious exemptions are under greater scrutiny by schools. Know your state vaccine codes and exemption procedures. We support conscientious and philosophical exemption legislation.
11. Proper vaccine disposal by individual doctors' offices and hospitals is a multi-tier problem that needs a well-coordinated solution.  Currently, the disposal of expired or unused vaccines creates a potential threat to public health by allowing these potent, chemical-laden vaccines to enter our waste stream, and in some cases, our water supply.  

Adverse Vaccine Reactions
Adverse vaccine reactions are more common than many parents realize. If your child has any of the following, notify your child’s doctor immediately to they can document it and advise any next steps. 

• Fever:  a temperature over 102 degrees Fahrenheit (or any lower number that your physician specifies) shortly after, or up to twelve days following vaccination.
• A high-pitched, persistent and inconsolable cry, indicating pain, that continues longer than 24 hours.
  
• Anaphylactic reaction including hives, swelling of the mouth or throat, and labored breathing, which may indicate an egg allergy. Rashes or swelling, including any red rash on the skin or large, swollen bump at the injection site that lasts for several days. Extreme sleepiness, which may include sleeping through feedings or lethargy.
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Sudden behavior changes such as personality, tantrums, sullenness, or irritability that is inconsistent with past behavior.
• Convulsions
• Shock
• Brain inflammation indicated by blank stares, high-pitched screams, and arching of the back, often followed by seizures.
• Physical or mental deterioration, such as difficulty talking, walking or crawling.

Help us advocate for greening vaccines by supporting legislation around the country and in your area.  For Federal legislation and quick links to get involved, see A-Champ at http://www.a-champ.org/federal.html.  For state legislation, see http://www.a-champ.org/state.html.

Additional Resources:

CDC Contraindications to Vaccines:
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/vac-admin/contraindications-vacc.htm

Safety Information for Specific Vaccines:
http://aapredbook.aappublications.org/cgi/content/extract/2006/1/1.5.18.  

General Info -- National Vaccine Information Center: http://www.nvic.org/
and the Institute for Vaccine Safety at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health:
http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/

CDC’s Chart of Vaccine Excipients:
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf).   

Growing Up Green: Baby and Child Care , by Deirdre Imus (link to amazon.com):
http://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Green-Child-Bestselling/dp/1416541241

National Autism Association: http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/

SafeMinds: http://www.safeminds.org/