Per the CDC schedule, the DTaP (Diptheria, Tetanus, a-cellular Pertussis) vaccine is given at 2, 4, and 6 months then between 15-18 months and 4-6years.
You have several to choose from. All of them have aluminum levels that exceed the FDA's 25 mcg limit for infant exposure:
Sanofi's Tripedia has 170 mcg
Sanofi's Daptacel has 330 mcg
GSK's Infanrix has 625 mcg
Although you might immediately want to choose Tripedia because it has a lower amount, please note that Tripedia also contains trace amounts of Thimerosal. Also note that if reducing exposure is your goal, then it is in your best interest to AVOID the super-combo vaccines. For example, the HepB/DTaP/Polio combo-vaccine called Pediarix by GSK contains a whopping 850 mcg of aluminum.
This site has an interactive vaccine calculator. You simply customize it to the age/weight of your child, select from the CDC schedule which vaccines you hypothetically want your child to receive and then you can choose brands from a drop down menu. It contains helpful, concise details such as which brand is designated for which age group, chemical quantities and alerts for common allergies. PLEASE bookmark! Whether you vaccinate, don't vaccinate or selectively vaccinate, this site is a gem!
http://www.vaccine-tlc.org/
This site has an interactive vaccine calculator. You simply customize it to the age/weight of your child, select from the CDC schedule which vaccines you hypothetically want your child to receive and then you can choose brands from a drop down menu. It contains helpful, concise details such as which brand is designated for which age group, chemical quantities and alerts for common allergies. PLEASE bookmark! Whether you vaccinate, don't vaccinate or selectively vaccinate, this site is a gem!
http://www.vaccine-tlc.org/
A quick summary of the vaccine-related illnesses:
Diptheria: rare before and after mass vaccination, related to unsanitary conditions, average of 5 cases a year in the entire country, 10% fatality rate, treatable.
Tetanus: rare in healthy people, especially infants/children (typically a concern for the elderly and diabetics). Avoided with proper wound care. Effective Tetanus immunoglobulin is available instead of vaccine for post-exposure concerns.
Pertussis: an endemic illness (comes and goes on its own regardless of vaccination) that is only "dangerous" in very young infants or the immunocompromised. Antibiotics extend cough. Vitamin C taken orally to tolerance seems to be the only/best treatment. The most common strains mutated; previous vaccines are ineffective. The vaccine does NOT stop transmission and can make vaccinated people silent carriers of disease to at-risk populations. (Scenario: Fully vaccinated mother in law has a slight cough, holds her new grandson, gives him Pertussis).
Please remember that Aluminum is only one concern when deciding whether or not to keep your children vaccine-free. Research the other aspects of vaccination with these pro-vaccine sources:
The John Hopkins School of Public Health has compiled the actual manufacturer inserts in PDF form for almost all licensed vaccines in America. You can choose the vaccine you want to learn about from the list:
The 2010 CDC vaccine schedule:
The CDC vaccine ingredient list:
A recent, peer-reviewed study on Aluminum Hydroxide and its impact on neurological and motor function:
Dr. Sears works through the history of Aluminum safety limits and talks about how to choose the brand that's right for your child:
Here, you can track the yearly count for these vaccine-related illnesses right on the CDC page:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwr_wk.html
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwr_wk.html
To find out the reported number of deaths, visit the CDC’s website here and type in which disease you are interested in learning about: http://wonder.cdc.gov/
The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a national vaccine safety site run by the CDC and FDA: http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/SafetyAvailability/ReportaProblem/VaccineAdverseEvents/default.htm.
An easier tool to use that searches the VAERS database is at http://www.medalerts.org. Go ahead and search for DTaP. Read the case stories. It will give you an idea of what reactions and injuries are typically associated with this vaccine.
