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Ask Dr. Sears: Splitting Up MMR Vaccine, What to Do When Vaccines Aren’t Available
By metropolitanmama | July 11, 2008
Please welcome Dr. Bob Sears back to Metropolitan Mama.
Sears is a nationally known pediatrician, father of three, and author of The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child. Sears has graciously offered to extend his expertise about vaccines through a bimonthly column where YOU ask the questions…and he answers them. See the bottom of this post for details about how you can submit a question.
If you want more information now, you should really just buy his book (read my review here). It’s comprehensive, objective, and the only one of its kind on the market.
Today’s question was sent in by Scott of Indiana.
QUESTION: “We had split up the MMR for our son. After receiving everything but the mumps vaccine, our clinic discontinued offering them being split up. We were told they were not making enough of a profit that way. In searching to find a mumps vaccine we are unable to locate any. We are willing to pay out of pocket or whatever else it may take. We get the crazy look when we ask doctors about it, and are told that he will just need to receive the MMR now. We refuse to do this. Please Help!“
ANSWER FROM DR. SEARS: “There is a shortage of the plain Mumps vaccine. No more will be available from the company until early 2009. Some pharmacies that stock and ship single doses of the separate components of the MMR vaccine may still have some plain mumps in stock. Try Hopewell Pharmacy in New Jersey.
There are a variety of vaccine brand choices parents may prefer, and a doctor might now always carry a desired brand. You can ask your doctor for a single dose prescription, take that to a pharmacy, and it’s possible the pharmacy may be able to obtain that dose for you. You take it back to your doctor’s office to get the injection done.”
For more information, see The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child, or visit www.TheVaccineBook.com.
If you have a question about vaccines for Dr. Sears, send an e-mail with “Ask Dr. Sears” in the subject line to stephanie@metropolitanmama.net.
Topics: Ask Dr. Sears, vaccines |
July 11th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Ooo, this is interesting. Our 2 yr old was supposed to get the mumps vax at her 2yr appointment but the dr said they were out of it at the time. She said just to bring her back when we went for Alexa’s 4 mo appointment and she could get it then. Well, I didn’t take her then b/c my parents were here and I just HAD to take advantage of the free babysitting! I forgot to ask if they had any then or not. Now I wonder if I should just wait or get her the reubella then do the mumps next year. Humm.
July 12th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I have been learning a ton about vaccines since looking into this and talking with my family and sisters in law about it. I’m so glad that these resources are available.
July 14th, 2008 at 10:40 am
This is a great part of your blog. I love it! Thanks!
July 14th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I have this book and still struggle with the vaccination issue. We have not vaccinated our daughter yet. But this new measles outbreak is starting to scare me a bit. Now I’m second guessing myself. Anyone else in the same boat?
July 16th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Thanks for keeping updated post with Dr. Sears.