[Summer95]

Talked to the nurse at my son’s Pediatrician this morning about splitting up the MMR shot. She told me that he will not do this because it is harder on the child and it is his decision (not the parents) as to how this shot is given. Is this true? Can the doctor make this decision or can I order the three separately from our pharmacy? If I did this who would I have administer the shots? I am afraid that if I do order them the Pediatrician will refuse to give the shots. So what are my rights as a parent?

[CurlysGirly]

Cindy, it is not a "law" and it sounds like they just don't want to do the extra work. Tell them that you will just take him to someone else. That should change their mind once they figure out that they won't be getting your money anymore.

[beejay]

My kids didn't have any problems with the MMR. My son was cranky and ran a very low grade temp for 24 hrs but than he was back normal. I have to agree with the Peds office, it is easier on the kiddos if it is done in one shot.
Just my opionion -- I am not a medical professional

[TheFoxx]

I would speak directly with the pediatrician about their policies on giving vaccines. If you want to stagger the shots - that is your right as a parent.

I do want to ask you - why. If you are afraid of the preservative - you can ask what brand of vaccine your office uses and then check to see if it's preservative free. My son's pediatrician's office only uses preservative free so we were very comfortable with him getting this vaccine (and he had no negative response whatsoever).

Just remember - the doctor and his staff work for you - not the other way around. It is yuor responsibility as a parent to advocate for your child. If you feel more comfortable spacing out the vaccines and your current doctor refuses - find another doctor who will respect your wishes.

~puts soapbox away~

[Summer95]

I should have told you that this would be his second MMR before he enters Kindergarten. Is this set as controversial as the first?

[adcollins]

I can't answer your question about the impact of the pre-K MMR shot, but I'm appalled at what your pediatrician said!

We're giving our daughter separated shots and I guess you could say it's harder in that she's getting three shots instead of one, but other than that I can't figure out at all why your doctor would say that. We're spacing them out with a few months in between and she hasn't experienced any problems in doing it this way.

Mostly, I'm shocked at this doctor's lack of sensitivity toward you and your role as parent. You are your child's most important advocate. How dare a doctor tell you you don't have the right to get the vaccines this way? Our pediatrician told us at the first appointment that he learned in med school that pediatrics is as much about parents as children and he completely gets that. For all I know, he thinks I'm a pain or nutty for insisting on separate shots, but if he does he keeps it to himself and just does what I ask. If he truly felt we were endangering her or doing something irresponsible, I'm sure he would tell me.

I think that, unless there's some great reason to continue seeing this doctor, I'd find another one and tell the first one why I was leaving. This probably won't be the last time you need to have a reasonable, understanding partner in your child's health care and it would be nice to have someone who can serve in that role.

Sorry-- my sermon for the day apparently.

Good luck,
Anne

[AdoptingABaby]

Ooh, regardless of how you feel about vaccines, your ped's response would make me want to find a new doc! I would never want to be treated that way...and in my opinion, you're calling the shots, so to speak.

[DianeS]

I'd recommend you speak with your doctor directly. Right now you have only the nurse's word for what the doctor would do - which isn't the same thing.

Your rights and responsibilities as a parent include knowing your own child's idiosyncracies, and how to deal with them. (Like, if your child had a bad MMR reaction previously it's your responsibility to remember that between doc visits, and to remember what, if anything, minimizes that bad reaction). You also get to decide what your child will and will not receive.

It's the doctor's rights and responsibilities to know the research about the different types of medical interventions (including shots) and the differences betweeen them and the possible problems and benefits of each. (He should be able to describe in some details the differences between getting the MMR shot combo and getting three separate shots, differences in reaction if there are some, etc.) He also gets to decide what he will and will not do in his practice.

If after the two of you discuss your various pieces of information and your concerns, you may reach a consensus and you will both be happy with the child's care. If you do not, you will part company - you will find a different doctor and he will find a different patient. Neither of you have a responsibility to bend on something you feel is important or necessary just because the other person won't bend.

[Quesita]

I am OUTRAGED by your doctor's response, and I would change doctor's immediately.

Here is a link to the Patient's Bill of Rights.

ACS :: The Patient's Bill of Rights

Most health care providers have adopted this bill of rights. The following paragraph pertains to your situation.

Participation in Treatment Decisions. You have the right to know your treatment options and to participate in decisions about your care. Parents, guardians, family members, or other individuals that you designate can represent you if you cannot make your own decisions.

[DPline]

Originally Posted by DianeS

I'd recommend you speak with your doctor directly. Right now you have only the nurse's word for what the doctor would do - which isn't the same thing.

I second this. Before ditching the doctor entirely, I would talk to him/her directly about his/her opinion on the subject and what you were told by the nurse.

I agree that it should be your choice as the parent, not the doctor or nurses's choice, but I would want to hear the doctor's opinion first before making the decision whether to switch doctors.

Good luck!

[Summer95]

Thank you to all who responded! Anne…don’t apologize for your sermon…I think you put it wonderfully. AdoptingABaby…great pun!!! Quesita…thanks for the copy to The Patient’s Bill of Rights (will come in handy). The Foxx…since hearing and reading about the possible link between the MMR vaccination and Autism DH and I feel more comfortable to have the shots separated.
I really respect those of you who said find another doctor, that is how I felt initially. However, as the day progressed I’ve decided to talk with the doctor directly and if I find that he is unwilling to give the shots separately I will be looking for a new Pediatrician.
Thanks again for all your input.

[Tamiswaiting]

Wait a minute! Back up the bus for a second....the nurse said this, correct? Oh, I would have torn her apart, but then, I am a nurse and just love springing that on one when they presume to tell me what my rights are . She was trying to intimidate you. Talk directly to your doctor and see if he/she feel it's not your right. If he/she does...leave that practice.

That being said...I asked about getting Kevin's separate when the time comes and my doctor's office said they can't because they have to buy in batches and they don't have the call for this, but the nurse called me and referred me to a couple of places where I could call in order to do this if I decide to.

[Mindybeth6]

We did the MMR shots on Alec without them being seperated and on Mikayla as well. HOWEVER, had I known about the possible effects I would have Alec's seperated FOR SURE 100%. I didn't know though, at the time, what could happen. As for the pre-K shot, I actually tried to research it and came up with very little. Most articles and sites talked about the 12 month MMR and the effects IT can have. I felt that the 4 year shot of it, which Alec got at 4.5 years old, would be safe and therfore we went ahead. But if YOU ARE NOT comfortable then I would DEMAND what other's have been telling you. WONDERFUL advice from everyone on here. You have the right to decide what and how things are done to your own child and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
Hugs

[mamir]

Hi:

My kids' peds. were perfectly willing to separate the MMR had my kids needed it. With my son, his ped. said they gave him the MMR too early in Guatemala and it may not be effective. I told her that before I would allow the MMR to be re-done, first, titers will be done and then if it had to be re-done, it would be separated into 3 separate shots, spaced 3-4 months apart. She was 100% willing to do this. My son's titers came back perfect and the MMR didn't have to be re-done. It's very important as parents that we be informed when it comes to our family's medical care. I did lots of research on vaccines prior to my kids coming home from Guatemala and went to their peds. with research in hand. Doctor's don't always know everything and we really have to be informed so we can make the best choices for ourselves and our kids.

We did titers on my daughter as well and she didn't need any of her vaccines re-done either. I'm thankful for the great care both of my kids received while in Guatemala.

Marie

[connorsmommy1999]

This has already been said but...

I ran into this same situation. I changed ped's because of this.
The way I look at it is that it is NOT up to the Dr to decide what is best for our kids, it's up to US and what we need to do is find a ped that is supportive of our decisions. The controversy about immunizations is HUGE and for every person who says they're harmless you'll find another that say they are harmful....the bottom line is that you need to do what feels right to YOU. There is no reason to deal with the anxiety that you will feel if you do something that's against what you think is right...not when you could find another Dr who is willing to do it the way you are comfortable with.


Before you switch I would request to talk directly to the Dr. It could very well be just hte nurse's issue.