How much medical research do you do as a practicing physician?
All day, everyday.
I have a two-month-old Black baby boy should/can I wait for my baby to turn 4 to get MMR vac?
Yes, you can. In most states you have the right to delay vaccination for medical and or personal reasons.
Would you vaccinate your child with MMR vaccine before 3 months?
No, I would not.
Can parents reject this vaccine and will that keep kids from school?
The best thing is to discuss your fears with your physician, get a new doctor if they tell you that you are crazy, and make informed decisions about your child. In most states, there is paperwork that you must fill out if you choose to reject any of the recommended vaccinations.
What is your view on the HPV shots for your teens?
I do not offer the HPV vaccination in my clinic.
So when should the MMR vaccine be administered to our little brown boys? Especially if schools are requiring them before they can start?
After looking at the data, in my family and practice, I recommend it after the age of 36 months.
Do you have any documented increase in cases with Black girls and the MMR vaccine? With reluctance, I just had my baby girl vaccinated.
That particular study just found the association with Black boys. She will likely be just fine. I recommend to my own patients, not to give Tylenol, not to introduce any new foods within the next couple weeks, and to document anything about her health that you notice. The majority of kids do just fine. No need to panic.
Dr. Rachael, my four-and-a-half-year-old African-American daughter was diagnosed as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at two-and-a-half. The signs were developmental regression, delayed speech, not responding to her name and regression in head size. Has there been an increase in girls being diagnosed in recent years?
There has been an increase in autism worldwide. The CDC estimated that 1 in 68 kids have been identified with ASD.
Why can’t the three separate components of the MMR vaccine be given at different intervals during a child’s development?
They used to do that. My understanding is that separate vaccines aren’t patentable.
How do we balance the public health need with a sub-population need? Because the sub-population can be injured and cause injury by each choice.
We fight for safer vaccines.
In 2008, I heard Holly Robinson Peete speak on a TV show. I frantically called my son in California and begged him not to take my grandson to get his vaccine in 3 days. Well, at two he was not speaking clearly, didn’t like loud noises. However, he seemed highly intelligent. Both parents were in denial. Finally at 5 yrs of age, they had him tested. Results said he has a little social autism and that boys sometime developed slower. They suggested speech therapy. He’s now 8-years-old and he is better. What help is there for parents who are in semi-denial that their child might be autistic?
There is so much help available for kids on the autistic spectrum. As soon as parents recognize an issue with socialization, it is important to seek out these resources. I’ve seem so many kids heal and improve. When parents are in denial, I suggest bringing out the developmental guidelines checklist and showing parents where the child should be in comparison to where they actually are. Then a visit to their family physician for an evaluation.
What might happen if my son does not get that MMR vaccination?
He might catch measles, mumps, and or rubella.
