Tag: CDC

The Vaccine Friendly Plan – a book review

The Vaccine-Friendly Plan by Paul Thomas and Jennifer Margulis emphasizes informed decision-making regarding childhood vaccinations. While promoting a pro-vaccine stance, the authors advocate for considering individual health needs and offer guidance on pregnancy and child development. Their approach includes discussing environmental toxins and providing strategies to support immune health in children.

updated December 22, 2025

This information is current as of the date of original publication or update. It may have changed by the time you read this. I invite you to fact-check what you read here.

This information is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Before making health decisions, discuss with your physician or other qualified healthcare provider to decide what is right for you.

The Vaccine-Friendly Plan

by Paul Thomas, M.D., a pediatrician  and

Jennifer Margulis, Ph. a science journalist.

In 1961,  my mother and I went to my school on a Sunday afternoon to receive the newly released oral polio vaccine. She along with other parents eagerly sought a way to prevent a dreaded disease that had the potential to cripple or even kill their children.

In medical school I learned about diphtheria, a painful throat infection due to a bacteria, Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Once a common cause of severe illness and death, a vaccine had rendered it rare. I saw no cases of diphtheria in medical school, nor have I since.

As a young physician I welcomed the introduction of the H.Flu vaccine (Haemophilus influenzae bacteria, not the virus) in 1985. At that time, any infant or toddler with a fever was a potential victim of meningitis due to H.Flu, which could be deadly or leave the child with neurological damage.

Similarly, the Hepatitis B vaccine made healthcare a less risky occupation; Hepatitis B is a blood-borne infection contracted from contact with infected blood.

VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES
FROM THE CDC, JANUARY 2016-

So, I was first surprised, then puzzled, then alarmed at the number of parents who reject vaccination for their children, and adults who decline immunizations for themselves. Some people now fear the vaccines more than the diseases they prevent. must consider this to help people stay well instead of treating them when sick.

I was intrigued when I heard of a book, by a physician that seems to promote a compromise-

The Vaccine-Friendly Plan

The Vaccine-Friendly Plan is published by Ballantine Books,  2016

It is based on his pediatric practice, Integrative Pediatrics,  as well as their extensively noted references. The book’s subtitle summarizes the contents accurately-

“Dr. Paul’s Safe and Effective Approach to Immunity and Health- from Pregnancy through your Child’s Teen Years.”

The book discusses pregnancy, infant, and child care in general, not just vaccination, although that is a major emphasis. There is a chapter about pregnancy and for each stage of child development through adolescence.

The first chapter discusses a popular health topic now- toxins. (As an aside, I don’t know when we started calling poisons  “toxins”) . This should grab your attention-

“Toxins, Toxins, Toxins: Raising Healthy Children in a Poisoned World”.

Anything can be “toxic” if misused, overused, or abused but they concentrate on these toxins in particular- acetaminophen, aluminum, aspartame, fluoride, methanol, mercury, and what they call endocrine disruptors(this includes pesticides).  They state “environmental toxins are likely contributing to the autism epidemic” as well as other neurodevelopmental and mental disorders in children.

 They base their conclusion on an extensive list of review articles from the medical and scientific that support their view and from Dr. Paul’s medical practice of 11,000 children who he calls “among the healthiest in the world.” While I suspect families who are already health-conscious tend to select a physician who is health-oriented, this claim sounds impressive.

I agree with some of the advice the authors offer. For example this advice for pregnancy is hard to argue with-

  • Eat a whole foods, organic, non-GMO diet 
  • Skip the soda
  • Drink filtered water
  • Minimize stress
  • Get treatment for addiction
  • Join a support group

But in addition, they recommend declining all vaccinations during pregnancy, certainly not mainstream medicine advice.

A later chapter also offers sound advice:

“ The Best Ways to Support your Child’s Immune System” 

  • Breast feed
  • Enjoy cuddling
  • Laugh a lot
  • Relax often
  • Rock your body
  • Stay hydrated
  • Eat a variety of foods
  • Maintain social connection
  • Read
  • Get Dirty
  • Be cautious but not afraid
  • Choose vaccines based on real science, your family’s needs and common sense
  • Sleep enough
  • Trust your children
  • Trust yourself

He offers an interesting list  Ten Questions to Ask When Looking for a Pediatrician (which I assume would apply if you use a family physician for your child’s care).

As a physician, I have never liked the idea of being “interviewed” by a potential patient; I  want a relationship with patients, not a job. But I think pediatricians routinely offer “get-acquainted” visits so you may find it helpful.

Some of the questions seem more appropriate to explore  in a long-term relationship with a physician, not quick answers in a short visit, like “What would you like me to know in order to keep my family healthy?”

An appendix compares the CDC immunization schedule of 1983 to the current 2016 version, illustrating  many more vaccines and doses are now recommended.

Of course the list is longer since several new vaccines have been developed in the past 30 years and the CDC recommends those considered necessary for the public health. Most areas of medical care have changed dramatically in the past 30 years, we have a lot more of everything-drugs, procedures, etc- so this should not be a surprise.

vaccines
CDC Immunization Schedule-

Also in the appendix is Dr. Paul’s Vaccine Plan at a Glance, which is a much abbreviated version of the CDC recommendations. The plan is offered free at his web site . (There is also a “store” on the website offering an assortment of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and melatonin.)

The authors describe themselves as “pro-vaccine”, have received vaccines themselves and vaccinated their children. But they also believe that physicians and parents should have a choice and make informed decisions about immunization and other procedures. 

Universal vaccination is recommended , but there are individual circumstances where the routine schedule might need to be altered due to a child’s particular medical circumstance, but not for some vague concern that vaccination might not be “safe”. Neither is infectious disease.

If you are a parent who has deferred vaccination for your children,  please read this book soon.

Also, read another review of this book by  Vincent Iannelli, MD , a pediatrician and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Sonia Shah, a science journalist, also wrote about vaccination in her book
Pandemic – Tracking contagions from cholera, to Ebola, and beyond

Pandemic- a book review

If you like history, current events, medical science, or just want to be more knowledgeable about why we should be concerned about infections , antibiotic resistance and vaccine phobia, you should read this book.

Keep reading
another post on this topic

Vital questions you should ask about immunization

This coronavirus pandemic is serious. We don’t yet have a vaccine or effective treatments. To protect ourselves, our familes, and our entire communities we should all be practicing social distancing and other hygiene measures as we wait for a safe, effective vaccine and treatments.

Keep reading

Exploring the HEART of Health

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Health Care

update January 1, 2026

Since writing this post almost 10 years ago, I have done several updates and related posts. I recommend you read this more recent version and the one that follows. Keep exploring the Heart of health.

from 1776 to 2020-a vision for a “more perfect Union”

The United States’ healthcare system combines public health efforts with mostly private delivery of health care. Usually they coexist side by side with some but infrequent interaction. The public health emergency created by the pandemic forced them into a “union” that quickly became politicized, and unfortunately diminished the effectiveness of the response.

Keep reading

Even though the United States does not officially have “socialized” health care, a large proportion of our medical care is funded by the federal government. Even though I know that, I was still surprised by statistics in a recent article, which stated that  the federal government accounts for

  • 40% of healthcare  spending
  • $1.3 trillion /year

(stats from 2016)

Through 4 federal agencies

  • Department of Health and Human Services 
  • Department of Defense
  • Veterans Administration
  • Department  of Homeland Security

(JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), June 21, 2016)

The  United States Congress passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010 to guarantee basic health insurance to all citizens.  People who oppose the ACA ,aka Obama Care, dislike or even fear government involvement in medical care; they consider it interference, control, or even nationalization of the United States healthcare system.

a Veterans Administration clinic
a Veterans Administration clinic (photo by Dr. Aletha)

I think many people, even physicians, don’t realize or forget, how involved the government already is in healthcare. As far back as the American Revolution the fledgling government extended health care benefits to the soldiers and veterans of that war; that system evolved into the current military health care system which covers service members and the Veterans’ Administration system for veterans.

American soldiers serving in Afghanistan
American soldiers serving in Afghanistan

2015 marked the 50th anniversary of two other government healthcare programs- Medicare and Medicaid.

Medicaid provides insurance coverage for adults and children who are unemployed or low income.

Medicare covers disabled children and adults  and persons 65 years and older.

wheelchair-749985_1280
Disabled children and adults may qualify for Medicare.

The numbers are rather staggering.

  • Together these programs cover at least 30% of Americans.
  • Together they comprise 25% of all federal spending.
  • Together they pay 40% of total U.S. health care spending.

An infographic from the Kaiser Family Foundation and JAMA explains this further.

hospital-79605_1280
Children may be eligible for Medicaid if their families cannot obtain health insurance for them.

You may not be eligible for either of these programs now, but chances are eventually you or someone close to you will.

  • Anyone can become disabled from a serious illness or freak accident.
  • You or your spouse may lose your job and your employer sponsored health insurance.
  • Your child may have a disability that will prevent them from working when they grow up.
  • We may all live long enough to qualify for Medicare on the basis of age alone.  Your parents or grandparents are near or already at Medicare age.
Senior adults age 65 and older use Medicare.
Senior adults age 65 and older use Medicare.

It’s important to understand how Medicare works, since it’s not automatic; even if you qualify, you need to sign up to be covered (with a few exceptions). The rules are summarized here. Or consider an easy to understand book here. 

Several government agencies regulate, monitor, promote and/or support  both public and private healthcare through the Deparment of Health and Human Services and other agencies.

Food and Drug Administration- FDA
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- CDC
National Institutes of Health- NIH
President Joe Biden visited the NIH
Occupational Safety and Health administration-OSHA
Drug Enforcement Agency-DEA

Congressional laws that regulate health care

 The Affordable Care Act- ACA
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-HIPPA
Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act- EMTALA
Health Information Technology  for Economic and Clinical Health- HITECH
Americans with Disabilities Act-ADA
Family Medical Leave Act-FMLA
LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HEALTHCARE

Sharing the HEART of health

In the Declaration of Independence, the founders of the United States created a nation based on the “self-evident truths”  of  “Life ,Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” as well as to promote “Safety and Happiness” . 

In the Constitution they vowed to “promote the general Welfare”.

I wonder if they envisioned that government would eventually spend so much timet and money providing and regulating health care, most of which was not imagined at that time? 

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

Key Predictions about 2026 Health Policy from an Expert

In this post I review some 2026 healthcare predictions for likely continuation of partisan gridlock, minimal congressional action, and increased focus on health care affordability amid midterm elections. Key issues to watch include ACA enrollment responses, Medicaid work requirements, rising insurance costs, and the impact of AI on consumer health care navigation.

Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.'s avatar by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.