The Problem With Dr Bob's Alternative Vaccine Schedule

Abstract

In October 2007, Dr Robert Sears, in response to growing parental concerns about the safety of vaccines, published The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child. Sears' book is enormously popular, having sold >40000 copies. At the back of the book, Sears includes “Dr Bob's Alternative Vaccine Schedule,” a formula by which parents can delay, withhold, separate, or space out vaccines. Pediatricians now confront many parents who insist that their children receive vaccines according to Sears' schedule, rather than that recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. This article examines the reasons for the popularity of Sears' book, deconstructs the logic and rationale behind its recommendations, and describes how Sears' misrepresentation of vaccine science misinforms parents trying to make the right decisions for their children.

What are the factors that contribute to parental vaccine-hesitancy and what can we do about it?

“…16,67,68 Thus it is important to continue to assess the reasons why parents choose to delay or refuse childhood vaccines in order to provide appropriate education to address misinformation. Most previous studies highlight barriers to vaccination among parents who refuse or delay vaccination; there has been little investigation into potential motivating factors for childhood vaccination in this population.…”

Vaccine Rejecting Parents’ Engagement With Expert Systems That Inform Vaccination Programs

“…Some parents believe alternative medicines may suffice in place of vaccines (Zuzak et al 2008), and some are unsure why their children still need to be vaccinated against diseases that are now rare (Janko 2012). Occasionally, parents may also recognize that if there is a high proportion of individuals who are already vaccinated, their own child can "hide in the herd" (Offit and Moser 2009).…”

Washington State Pediatricians' Attitudes Toward Alternative Childhood Immunization Schedules

“…However, ACIS proponents have been criticized in the medical literature for underappreciating the potential severity and sequelae of vaccine-preventable illnesses, inadequately understanding immunization risks, and exploiting community immunity. 4 Furthermore, underimmunized children are at increased risk for both contracting and transmitting vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles and pertussis. [5][6][7] Despite these criticisms, there is evidence that some pediatricians are accepting of ACISs.…”