Parents may come in asking about Dr. Bob Sears’ vaccine schedule. He proposes no more than two vaccines at each visit. His goal is to limit potential reactions and limit exposure to aluminum and other components of vaccines. This schedule is not based on any scientific research, and it requires many more visits than the standard schedule. It requires at least 15 separate visits, and it extends the time the child is susceptible to certain diseases. To read the American Academy’s response to Dr. Sears’ schedule click here.

When looking at Dr. Sears as an alternative vaccination schedule, note that he does not advocate a hepatitis B shot at birth. This could be detrimental if the infant is born to a hepatitis B positive mother because the infant’s chances or likelihood of being a chronic carrier or having the disease chronically is much greater the younger they are when they contract the disease.

Combination Vaccines

The CDC is supportive of combination vaccines, so whenever possible a combination vaccine is preferable. When using combinations that include the hepatitis B vaccine, it is okay to give four doses of the hepatitis B shot.

Combination vaccines offer many advantages. They reduce the number of injections, improve vaccination timeliness and coverage. The disadvantages include increased adverse events, extra doses of antigen and reduced immunogenicity at certain ages. Consider the advantages and disadvantages when deciding whether to use a combination or single-antigen vaccine. Combination vaccines currently on the market include:

• Kinrix: DTaP plus IPV
• Pediarix: DTaP plus IPV plus Hep B
• Pentacel: DTaP plus IPV plus Hib
• Comvax: Hib plus Hep B
• Proquad: MMR plus varicella (the CDC has no preference as to whether MMR and varicella vaccine should be given as a single injection because there is a two fold risk of febrile seizures in children who receive the combination vaccine in comparison to those who receive MMR and varicella separately.

Common Adverse Responses