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I am a pediatrician. There are many, many studies out there to show that live virus vaccines like the MMR and Chicken pox are simply not as effective when given to children too young (babies immune systems are not equipped to handle such vaccines). There may be some protection which is why often some countries will give them, especially in the event of an outbreak, but they do need to be repeated after a certain age to insure full protection. The result of these studies has been the development of state laws governing when shots should have been received. So, if your child has an MMR documented before the first birthday, and you want that child to attend public school or licensed daycare at some point, chances are someone is going to look at the shot record and reject it for not having appropriate vaccinations. This is not a case of physicians not accepting vaccinations because they were given on time but in a third world country (in which case I fully support titers before ever repeating a vaccine) but of a vaccine being given improperly. In general, vaccines may be given late, and you never have to start a series over if you are late on one of the doses, but never give a vaccine too early!
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Amy
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