I thought, for giggles, I'd put up the original AAP and my altered vaccination schedules and reasoning behind my choices. Mainly because one of the posters here is a jerk and pissed me off. Jerk. If you want to consider an altered shot schedule, DON'T GO BY WHAT I DO. Or, what any doctor on the Internet tells you. Buy Dr. Sears' book only if you want. Get the schedule. And then (here's the important part!!!!):

Sit down with your own pediatrician and work it out. Let me repeat that: SIT DOWN WITH YOUR OWN PEDIATRICIAN. Do not listen to me. Do not listen to some Internet doctor you've never, ever met. Do not listen to some doctor who wrote some book. SIT DOWN WITH YOUR OWN PEDIATRICIAN.  

 Okay, here goes: 

Here is the American Academy of Pediatrics 2007 Recommended Shot List:

Birth Hep B

1 month Hep B

2 months HIB, Pc, DTaP, Rotavirus (not every doctor's office gives this, by the way), Polio

4 months HIB, Pc, DTaP, Rotavirus, Polio

6 months HIB, Pc, DTaP, Rotavirus, Hep B, Flu

1 year MMR, Chickenpox, Hep A

15 months HIB, Pc

18 months DTaP, Polio, Hep A, Flu

2 years Flu

3 years Flu

4 years Flu

5 years DTap, Polio, MMR, Flu, Chickenpox

12 years Tdap, Meningococcal, HPV (3 doses, girls only)

Here is my shot schedule, based partly upon Dr. Sears' recommendations and my pediatrician's own thoughts:

**At two weeks, she had her Hep B because that's how it works in the NICU. They don't give it at birth when the child goes to the NICU. She also had her first series of shots TWICE because of a combination of my complete exhaustion and a mix-up in the first pediatrician's office (yeah, I don't go to them anymore). 

 So, two months, full series twice (sigh) and then I had to 'catch up' with the new schedule. (Or, rather, I had to stall as she been given too many shots to start.)

Her full schedule, altered to spread the shots, looks like this: 

 2 months DTap, Rotovirus

3 months Pc, HIB

4 months DTap, Rotavirus

5 months Pc, HIB

6 months DTap, Rotavirus

7 months Pc, HIB

9 months Polio, Flu (2 doses)

12 months Mumps, Polio

15 months DTap, Chickenpox (maybe)

18 months Rubella 

21 months Flu

2 years Measles, Polio

2 years, 6 months  Hep A, Hep B

3 years Hep B, Flu

3 years, 6 months Hep A, Hep B

4 years DTap, Polio, Flu

5 years MMR, Flu

6 years Chickenpox

12 years Tdap, HPV

12 years, 2 months HPV

13 years HPV, Meningococcal 

I'm also in favor of moving the Meningococcal shot forward when it's approved to do so. That disease is super dangerous and kills quickly. When they approve it for children of three years, she's getting it.

I'm still on the fence about the chickenpox shot because that disease is so rarely dangerous and usually the child is completely immune after the illness, but must repeat the shot as an adult. I have time to think about it, in any case.

 Here is my reasoning. The Kid had some reactions to the first shots. Most likely this was because of the mix-up that happened at my doctor's office, when her shots were repeated and given a bit too soon. But, to be safe, we've (the new doctor and I) spread them out so we can discern any allergic reactions. Also, I think loading that many shots into one child is, well, sort of crazy. Two to three shots at a time is how it was done for a long time. My doctor confirms that the schedule created was done, in part, for convenience's sake. It's easy to give shots in a group like that because 1) fewer overall pinpricks for the kids 2) happens during a regular checkup which means it's easier to keep track of--

The last is actually the most compelling argument for staying on the schedule by the AAP. People don't have to plan more doctor visits. So, it's easier.

My doctor's office staff has made fun of me recently for panicking because she missed some scheduled shots due to an illness. This tells you how unimportant a rigid schedule is. However, it is best to stay somewhere close in the age range/time period of each shot.

Certain shots give the most benefit at certain times, and some 'shots' can only be given at certain ages. The rotavirus, for example, is something the child drinks and can't really be given after about 7 months. Also, not all doctors' offices give that particular vaccination. Some still require you to request it.  I recommend requesting it because rotovirus is extremely common and a pain the butt, literally. The child should avoid those with autoimmune disorders after getting this vaccination, as it's a live virus and goes in the mouth.

This is the schedule that I go by. I am, it's true, not a doctor. I did consult my doctor. She will be having all the shots. I do not recommend one way or the other because I am not a doctor. But this way, while more expensive and more complicated, works for me and my child. 

And I won't jump on the judging fence either, either way. Because that would make me an asshole. Like the person who felt it was okay to judge my choices. Yes. I called that person an asshole. I would do it to his or her face.

I also won't judge Jenny McCarthy. I wasn't in the emergency room with her and her child. I don't know if his breathing stopped or not. I'm kind of amazed anyone is questioning her about that and using it as 'evidence' of anything. Yuck. And for the doctor--how unprofessional.