The Franz Center supports parents’ decision to vaccinate or not to vaccinate.

Infectious diseases have been, and continue to be, the number one killer of people worldwide. Most of us have been fortunate to grow up in a time where polio, diphtheria, measles, whooping cough, and rubella no longer cause countless and pointless deaths. Most of us have never seen measles or polio. Most of us have no recollection of the iron lung machines for polio victims. Dr Edward Jenner is given credit for making the first vaccine. He observed that milkmaids did not get smallpox and he created the first vaccine from cowpox . The word vaccine comes form the Latin vaccinus meaning from cows. The concept of giving a small dose of something to induce immunity is a useful one and from there we have had the development of many vaccines in hopes of eradicating common childhood illnesses.

Physicians are VERY jaded and opinionated about their view on shots because most of us older than thirty-five remember days and nights when we watched children die from meningitis or invasive pneumonia and prayed for something to help. It is these experiences that contribute to the dogmatic approach physicians have on vaccinations. It is believed that HIB meningitis has declined since the inception of the HIB vaccine in 1985. It may also be that the illness was reaching a natural decline as many infectious diseases have done in the past. We will never actually know.

Polio was projected to be eradicated worldwide by 2010. There was an outbreak in 2002 in the Dominican Republic and in Angola. There was also a minor outbreak in Minnesota in an Amish community in 2006. International travel has allowed the threat of many diseases to become a real possibility; look at the books and news information on bioterrorism. Infectious disease secondary to international travel reportedly would decimate populations. Thanks to SARS we now know it takes eighteen hours for a virus to traverse the globe. Just because we have not had any problems in the U.S. does not mean there could not be a problem from international travel in the future.

These are facts. They are scary. They help promote mass fear. And most of the diseases that would be spread so rapidly are not the ones for which we are vaccinating.

What to do? Do your own research and do your best to not tap into the fear machine. “What if” is quite popular and an effective tool of fiction to get parents scared. There is only “what is” and if you learn to eat well, drink plenty of water, avoid toxins, and live a “clean” life, much of this is nothing more than conversation.

Immunity is what is important. A healthy immune system will prevent illness or keep an illness at a level where immunity is created to that disease state without significant harm to the host.

That is what vaccines are meant to do…to create immunity and help the host not get sick when confronted with that germ. The intent is helpful. The actuality is not quite so beneficial. By giving too many vaccines at once to a young and immature immune system, there is evidence we are creating dysfunction and a weaker immune system rather than strengthening it. We may have set the stage for more chronic illness.

Some children with very sensitive immune systems do not tolerate vaccines and can suffer long‐term health issues after vaccination. The challenge is that we do not know who they are before the vaccine is given.

In my opinion, our best screening information at this time is the family history. We ask for an extensive family history, three generations back, on both sides of the family (of the mother and father of the child), aunts, uncles, and cousins, etc. This is critical! It is important to determine if any close relatives had any bad reactions to vaccinations. We also like to know if there is any family history of autoimmune illnesses like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid problems, asthma, lupus, etc. It is important to learn about your families’ medical histories to the best of your ability! There is evidence that a strong family history of autoimmune problems might make some individuals more susceptible to having an adverse reaction to vaccinations. There is also evidence that repeated vaccination can stimulate autoimmune dysfunction. If there is a history that Mom was exposed to heavy metals then there are health risks to the baby as heavy metals easily cross the placenta!

Twenty years ago children received 18 vaccines between 2 months and 5 years (DPT, OPV, HIB, MMR, and HBV). Now they receive 49 total vaccine doses between 2 months and 5 years and during this same twenty-year time frame (as we have increased the number of vaccines) we have seen a huge increase in autism, ADD/ADHD, allergies, asthma, and chronic illness that cannot be explained on environmental factors alone. Many call it coincidence. It is not.

Vaccines also contain ingredients like aluminum (a KNOWN neurotoxin), formaldehyde (a known preservative and carcinogen), MSG (a common allergen), and other ingredients that can be toxic to a body as well.

There are studies now showing that vaccines can upregulate (turn on) autoimmune genes and then trigger an autoimmune event that leads to a cascade of dysfunction in predisposed patients. If we were to QUIT vaccinating, the illnesses for which we give them would supposedly increase in a short time…..in susceptible populations. The first step, in my opinion, is being aware. Giving fewer shots at a visit, screening family histories, and listening to parents when they tell us “things are not right” can help prevent permanent injury from vaccines. Lifestyle choices can enhance the immune response.

If you choose to vaccinate, then do so SLOWLY- no more than one at a time. Eat as much organic food as possible. Avoid genetically modified (GMO) foods as they are being shown to create intestinal problems. Eat “clean” (not more than 2-5 ingredients listed on any prepackaged food), get outdoors for fresh air and sunshine (which promotes vitamin D synthesis). Do your best to avoid antibiotics (sometimes they are necessary!). Lifestyle choices like these promote a healthy immune system.

By getting vaccines one at a time, you can reduce the load to 10 total vaccines between 2 months and 5 yrs. (4 DTaP, 3 IPV, 1 HIB, 1 Prevnar, 1 MMR). This leaves out Hepatitis A, B, Influenza, Rotavirus, and Chickenpox vaccinations.

There is no need for Hep A in my estimation. Hep B if there are risk factors only. An immunocompetent host can handle chickenpox. The most compelling reason to get a chickenpox vaccine is because someone in the house is immunocompromised (chemotherapy, transplant etc.)

The Franz Center immunization schedule covers Diptheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) first as there has been an increase in pertussis in the last few years.(45000 cases in 2012. And in the same year it was determined that the DTaP is not that effective and there is evidence that the pertussis bacteria may be becoming immune to the vaccine) We give no more than one shot at a time, but up to three or four vaccines depending on the combination vaccines available (Like DTaP).

Hepatitis B is spread via blood and body fluids (IV drugs and sexual contact being the most common high risk behaviors). If Mom had prenatal care and had no hepatitis and there are no behavior risk factors, then Hep B is not necessary. If parents desire the vaccine for their child, it can be started after 12 months and worked in to the schedule. We respect the rights of parents to choose not to immunize their children. While there are some who do not agree with it, we will not chastise or criticize you. We do have an informed consent that explains what vaccines you are refusing, and what might happen to your child without vaccines.

It is important for parents to understand and accept all responsibility and liability whether they choose to vaccinate or not. We are not liable should your child contract an illness for which there is a vaccine nor if there is an issue as a result of giving a vaccine. It is an informed choice on the parent’s part. It is important for parents to realize that at some point tetanus may become an issue. If an unvaccinated child receives a puncture wound or a deep dirty wound, then BOTH a tetanus vaccine AND Tetanus Immune Globulin (TIG) are recommended to be given within seventy‐two hours of the injury. A single vaccine after age two can actually provide a good immune response.

Antibodies are formed within twelve to fourteen days after receiving a vaccination, which is the same time for incubation of tetanus toxin. Treatment for tetanus is supportive. It can be a very unpleasant illness. Taking homeopathic Ledum and herbal Echinacea can be useful in the event of a puncture wound. Whooping Cough or Pertussis (The “P” in the DTaP) is also back on the rise. Whooping Cough is 100% transmissible from an infected person to a non‐immune person. The people spreading it are actually immunized adults. There are reportedly 800,000 to one million cases of whooping cough in the United States on any given day in adults with a “nagging cough.” Pertussis has a high mortality rate in children under age one. Statistics are demonstrating that a lot of people who have been diagnosed with pertussis have actually been immunized. Makes one wonder how effective really is the vaccine? Pertussis cough can also be helped with A.I.R. tea twice a day for 90 days.

This practice maintains the practice of no more than one shot at a visit. It is also ideal to begin vaccines at or after 12 months of age when the blood brain barrier has closed and the adjuvants in the vaccines cannot cross into the brain so easily. If a child has a reaction that we consider unacceptable, or you, the parent, feels was of concern, we re‐evaluate the vaccine schedule for that individual. It is even better if you wait until the child is two. Then they have aged out of a few of the vaccines and can receive only one DTaP., one Polio, and one MMR (at age three) and have a strong immune response which we can prove by checking the blood for an antibody response- called a titer.

If parents choose not to vaccinate, we support your decision for your child. Please feel free to discuss your concerns with us. We wish for you to have as much useful information as possible when making your decisions.

We hope this explains our philosophy on vaccines and the reasons for our beliefs. Remember that with our schedule, your child is behind on vaccines compared to other pediatric practices! However, even on our delayed schedule, all children are up to date by age three years old. Your child may have to receive vaccines at a visit other than your regularly scheduled well visit. You will be required to pay your co‐pay for these extra visits. You still have the choice of giving all four to five vaccines at a visit as recommended by the AAP and ACIP…just not in this practice.

IN SUMMARY

1. The Franz Center supports vaccination on a slower schedule for those who choose to vaccinate.
2. Our vaccines do not contain Thimerasol except the DTaP, which contains less than 0.3 mcg per dose, which is “Thimerasol free” according to FDA standards. This miniscule amount is apparently unavoidable from the “manufacturing process.”
3. Be aware that vaccines contain varying amounts of other toxins such as aluminum, formaldehyde, MSG, glutaraldehyde, sorbitol, MSG, Polysorbate, and others.
4. The Td or TdaP (for seventh grade) no longer contains Thimerasol but does contain other concerning ingredients.
5. We no longer carry flu vaccine at the Franz Center. It can be obtained at any pharmacy and it is not a vaccine that the Franz Center
6. This schedule is different from most other pediatric practices. It really does not take longer to complete and does eliminate some vaccines on the AAP/ACIP schedule. In the end, is less traumatic for the child and the parents. And by age five and entry to school, the children are completely and safely vaccinated.
7. This slower schedule will not affect your child’s attendance in day care.
8. If you transfer to another practice, you will, of course, be “behind” in immunizations.
9. This schedule minimizes side effects of immunizations and avoids the chance of autism related to vaccines (even though the literature says there is no evidence that autism is caused by vaccines).
10. With this schedule, your child may receive shots at a visit other than your scheduled well‐ You will be required to pay your insurance co‐pay for these extra visits. MMR is also a live virus vaccine and is Thimerasol‐free.
11. Before one gets the MMR, take cod liver oil for 2 weeks and A.I.R. Tea (see herbaceuticals page). MMR drains vit A stores and cod liver oil keeps them replete. AIR tea boosts the immune system and helps reduce/prevent side effects. Do not recommend MMR vaccine until age three.
12. Rotateq is the new oral vaccine for rotavirus diarrhea. It is given at two, four, and six months. The Franz Center currently does not give this vaccine.
13. If you receive vaccines at your local health department, the staff there often tries to scare parents or bully them into receiving ALL the recommended vaccines. You have a right to vaccinate your child slowly. If anyone tries to scare you simply stand your ground.

• DO: get vaccines slower.
• DO: your research
• DO: pay attention to your child’s response to Vaccinations
• DO: be your child’s advocate
• DO: communicate your concerns to your Physician
• DO: be aware that your child will be fully immunized by age five whether vaccines are given according to the recommended schedule or the slower (safer) schedule.
• DON’T: be bullied into compromising what is important for your child.
• DON’T: be afraid to stand up for you beliefs.
• DON’T: give more than one vaccine at a time.

14. I do not recommend the Gardasil for teenage girls. In fact I am adamantly opposed to it.

Vaccines can be substituted in the schedule with no adverse consequences. The schedule is recommended but not written in stone. There is much more incredible information in the book! Common Sense Pediatrics has an older version of this policy and philosophy. Vaccine schedule- this can be begun any time. I have elected to write it beginning at 12 months as a demonstration of how it will look. It can be adapted to any age. Time between vaccines is best at 90 days.

• 12 months DtaP
• 15 months HIB
• 18 months DTaP
• 24 months DTaP or Pevnar (only need one Prevnar after age 2)
• 27 months IPV or Prevnar
• 30 months IPV
• 36 months MMR
• 48 months DTaP booster and IPV booster
• 5 years Whatever was not done at age 4.
• And we recommend the blood test to check for antibody response. The reality is that we need fewer vaccines than are even listed here….