Any reason meningitis jab can't be given without the HIB?

[Thomcat]

DD2 is 10 weeks old.

I delayed her jabs again today as she was v poorly last week and I don't think she's fully recovered.

I'd like her to have the meningitis jab on it's own and then have the HIB vaccine at a slightly later date.

Anyone know of a reason not to?

[Socci]

No I'm sure that would be ok. I don't think there is a clinical reason for vaccines to be given together other than convenience.

[Thomcat]

That's what I think but just want to know where I stand so I can argue my case when they try and make me get it all done together at our next appt.

[chapsmum]

thomcat you are obviously worried about you wee dd contacting meningitis. It would be worth knowing that the HIB Vaccine will protect her from the virus that can lead to meningitus and eppiglotitus, (eppiglotitus is doing the round in some areas of england).
Although there is no clinical reason, you should speak to you hv about the implications of delaying thes jab and any precaustions you could take.

[jessicaandrebeccasmummy]

I dont think there is a reason, as I am having the Men C jab on its own next week (our doctors surgery say that if you are between the age of 20-25 and havent had one, you need one) so I assume its ok.

(BTW - has DD2 got a name?! Did I miss an announcement?!)

[ruty]

chapsmum where is epiglottis doing the rounds in England? Would like to know! And also, as over 90% of children are vaccinated against Hib, why is it doing the rounds in the first place? Not trick questions, interested to know!

[Socci]

Breastfeeding gives protection against HIB.

[expatinscotland]

Thomcat
We've also opted to delay DD2s vaccines until she is 4 months old, possibly later. DD1 does not go to nursery - she's looked after at home during the days by DH (goes to two playgroups and Tumble Tots) and we have very little interaction w/the community at large, so her riks are quite minimal. DD1 is also fully immunised.

Our big reason for delaying is that DD1 continues to experience motor skills delays which have no known genetic or medical cause. She was immunised w/the old thimerosal-containing jabs on the 2,3 and 4 month schedule.

I also want to wait until they are compelled to provide the Prevenar vaccine, as it will cost at least £168 to vaccinate her privately. £168 we truly don't have.

[amyjade]

Breastfeeding might give some protection against HIB but why have your children vaccinated if breastfeeding protects against these killer diseases?
Sorry socci but disagree with you on this one.

[expatinscotland]

But Thomcat is talking about delaying the vaccines, not forgoing them altogether.

Up until a few years ago, they didn't start their vaccine course till 4 months, anyhow, and had more time between courses.

[amyjade]

Thomcat
It doesn't matter if the HIB is given at a slightly later date.
Dd2 had her menC on it's own a month after her Hib/DPT/Prevenar as we thought it would be a bit much giving her three needles in one day.


expatscotland,
Hope it isn't too long before they can provide your Dd2 with the prevenar.
£168 for a vaccine that can save a childs life is just disgusting.

[expatinscotland]

Thom
I thought they gave Hib w/DPT and polio all as one jab now? The new 'five in one jab'.

Then Men C, and supposedly Prevenar as well come April.

Hopefully Jimjams will read this. IIRC, the biggest risk of MenC is to teens and young adults. Hib to children in nurseries and forumla-fed. And there's a new strain of pertussis that the jab doesn't protect against.

Pneumoccocal my GP said the biggest risk group is 6 months+. But it's the one jab I really, really want for DD2 and we just don't have the funds now for a private course. Yet we were told our DD would miss out on it b/c of the luck of hte draw and her being born too soon.

[expatinscotland]

i agree, amy. especially b/c the jab only costs them £35.

[amyjade]

Even though the government announced that prevenar will be introduced from April my HV and the meningitis research foundation said that realisticly it will be more like the end of the year and the children who missed it with their routine jabs at 2,3 and 4 months will probably not get it untill 2007.
It makes me sick to think that in this time 50 children and more will lose their lives.

[ruty]

amjade there is scientific proof that breastfeeding provides good protection against Hib disease - socci didn't say breastfeeding protects against all diseases, but certain diseases are very rare under six months of age, especially in breastfed babies, because of maternal anti body protection. a breastfed baby is protected against measles, mumps and rubella, if the mother has had the diseases. If the mother has not had the diseases then the baby is not protected. There are not enough studies to prove breastfeeding provides protection against diseases after the age of six months because there are not enough mothers practising extended breastfeeding to run studies like these. I do know your all too valid reasons for your opinions but just wanted to point that out.
Chapsmum, would love to hear your answer to my question, truthfully interested!

[expatinscotland]

It makes me sick to think that in this time 50 children and more will lose their lives.

Yep, especially when that child could be mine. And all for £35. And let's not forget the children who survive pneumoccocal meningitis but are left with permanent disabilities.

Then of course, there were the thimerosol containing vaccines, which were $1 cheaper than the mercury-free ones. Nice to know who much a child's normal development is worth.

[amyjade]

That child was mine.[SAD]

[expatinscotland]

, amy. you're in many peoples' thoughts and prayers even now.

[chapsmum]

amy jade what else can i say...

ruty, this was actaully a warning from a fellow mn, \link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=138&threadid=150521&stamp=060227194422\here}

thomcat, I only pointed that out in my post, not to try to persuade you one way or the other, but these are the potential arguments your hv may give you. If you want to delay you should prob arm yourself with all the knowledge.

Hope your wee one is better and you get the decision your looking for.

[ruty]

thanks chapsmum for the link - but still, either the epiglottis doing the rounds at the moment is caused by another bacteria, or the vaccine isn't working.

[chapsmum]

hey ruty, from a personal pov i have only ever seen one case in 5 years as far as I am aware the person had not been vaccinated

[ruty]

i was told by ds's [pro vax] immunologist that he sees around 5 cases of hib a year, half in unvaxed children, half in vaxed. Obviously, the risk percentage for unvaxed children works out higher, but it does mean the vaccine sometimes doesn't work. Was it an adult chapsmum that you knew had epiglottis? Just wondering why you thought he was not vaccinated...

[chapsmum]

patient confidintiality would really prevent me from discussing that ruty the person (i didnt say he) was not an adult and not vaccinated but would not like to specculate about why.

Do you know what the statistic are about the successful immunisation form the 3/4 doses of HIB ruty. You seem pretty clued up would be very interested to find out!

[ruty]

i don't know that chapsmum. I would like to know! I would think efficacy is thought to be quite high. I was interested when my immunologist told me that though. sorry, didn't mean to pry about your patient! It just seems very rare to come across totally unvaccinated children. i haven't met any, and only hear about them on Mnet - of course they do exist as i know well...

[ruty]

any others i mean.

[chapsmum]

dont appologise, sorry didn't mean to sound harsh! Will look into it myself, would ou mind keeping me posted should you speak to your immunologist again?