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Mumsnet webchats

Measles outbreak and MMR vaccinations: live webchat with Department of Health director of immunisation Professor David Salisbury, Tuesday 9 April, 2-3pm

356 replies

GeraldineMumsnet · 08/04/2013 16:40

In light of the measles outbreaks in South Wales and higher than average levels of measles in some areas of England, and concerns reflected in MNers' discussions, we've invited Professor David Salisbury, the government's director of immunisation, back to MN to be our webchat guest tomorrow, Tuesday 9 April, at 2pm.

Please post any questions you have about the MMR vaccine for your children, or yourself, to Professor Salisbury.

Thank you.

OP posts:
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VivaLeBeaver · 08/04/2013 16:44

My dd is 12yo and never had mmr.

She had single vaccines for measles and rubella. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to have been any single mumps vaccines available in the last 10 years.

I'm thinking of getting mmr for her now. In your opinion will she need a booster mmr or not as she's already had 2x single vaccines?

Thanks

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motherofvikings · 08/04/2013 16:44

Silly question number 1...

If your 2yo has had their first dose of mmr (but not the preschool booster) are they protected as fully as the vaccine can protect?

Also what is the failure rate of the mmr vaccine?

Thanks! :)

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adagio · 08/04/2013 16:53

Is measles passed on via a third party or only be direct contact with an infected person?

I have a three month old baby, whose granny lives in Swansea valley near Neath, and wanted to know if we should avoid her for a few weeks?

She doesn't have it, but is anti vaccines in general and could have been in contact with infected people. My daughter is too young to be offered MMR yet, and we don't live in the relevant area ourselves so are unlikely to be offered it early.

Baby is EBF and I have had all vaccines offered throughout my lifetime. Baby is also getting everything offered in line with current guidelines.

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OrangeFootedScrubfowl · 08/04/2013 16:56

Is it the case (I read somewhere) that most immunity is passed from the mother to a baby in the third trimester of pregnancy? If so, if you gave birth at the end of the second trimester, would it benefit your child to have the MMR early?

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infamouspoo · 08/04/2013 17:11

Does the MMR wear off or is immunity for life? Are young adults entering university at risk at a time when their immune system may be lower (due to late nights, partying etc)

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AmandinePoulain · 08/04/2013 17:17

Hello

Why have we adopted the schedule that we have? I'm living right in the middle of the outbreak so my dd2 (coming up to 8mo) had her MMR last week, she'll need a booster at 12 months then another at 3 - I understand that for under 1s the vaccine isn't all that effective which is why we wait until 1, yet I'm currently in France so researched their schedule and found that both doses are given there before the age of 2 - so why do we wait until 3 for the second booster? Wouldn't it make more sense to give it earlier, as being advised in Swansea at the moment?

Thank you.

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birdsnotbees · 08/04/2013 17:51

Just to second what an earlier poster said: if a child aged 2 has had first mmr how at risk are they with this outbreak? As said child clearly isn't old enough to have yet had the second dose.

Also, if your child gets a very mild form of measles after the mmr (is this possible?), does that mean they are immune?

Am worried sick about my DD - went to South Wales over Easter & she's only 2.

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crochetcircle · 08/04/2013 18:58

Dd2 is 7 mo and has not had mmr yet as too young. We don't live in an outbreak area but am wondering if her mmr should be brought forward to give her protection now? I'd hate her to get ill.

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Filmbuffmum · 08/04/2013 19:00

Just wondering whether it is also recommended for adults to get the vaccine? I was born in 1971 and my Mum is sure I did not have any vaccinations against measles as I had eczema and apparently the recommendation in those days was not to have vaccinations. Is it possible to get immunised as an adult, and is this recommended (plus are the likely post-inoculation side effects the same)? Thanks!

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EldonAve · 08/04/2013 19:36

Are you seeing vaccinated individuals catching measles?
Is there any concern about the efficacy of the MMR or the previously given single measles vaccine?

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WinkyWinkola · 08/04/2013 19:49

I don't know if dh or me are immune. Born '71 and parents don't know if we had vax or if either of us had the illness.

Is measles ever asymptomatic and if one is immune, would it be dangerous to have the MMR or advisable to get immunity tested?

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PluserixtheGaul · 08/04/2013 20:31

What investigations do the DH make, and what support do they offer families if MMR goes wrong?

How do we know it is safe if the DH just ignores parents when they tell them about the bad effects? How could epidemiology be sensitive enough to pick up disasters?

How generous is compensation and how easy is it to get?

Why did the DH introduce Pluserix in 1988 and take four years to withdraw it, when they were told by the Canadians it was defective in 1987?

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IwishIwasmoreorganised · 08/04/2013 21:12

Is it possible to get blood tests to check for immunity?

DH and I have no idea if we're immune or not, our ds's have had both MMR jabs but we're living close to the areas currently affected and I'd happily have us all vaccinated again in tests showed low immunity levels.

There was an out break of measles in Canada where way more than the expected levels of vaccinated individuals were affected and this concerns me - is there any data proofing the efficacy of the MMR jab?

Does MMR acquired immunity last indefinitely or should our dc all have further boosters at certain ages?

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WouldBeHarrietVane · 08/04/2013 21:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HerrenaHarridan · 08/04/2013 22:19

By an interesting coincidence my dd is having the mmr jab at the time of this web chat so ill have to catch up later ( not in affected areas!)

My question is regarding the rare serious side affects ( I don't mean the flu like symptoms that are quite common nor am I referring to autism)


What is the approx percentage chance of a severe reaction and what are the long term outlooks for those affected?

Thanks

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ChocolateHelps · 08/04/2013 22:21

Do Drs ask those who have confirmed measles, approx 600 at the mo, their vaccination status? Are they all non vac or is there any sense of a particular vaccination failure?

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PluserixtheGaul · 08/04/2013 22:39

Why did the DH and the pharmaceutical industry provoke a crisis in uptake in measles vaccine by removing the choice of single vaccines after the Royal Free press conference?

Did not the Cochrane Review of MMR, twice state in 2005 and in 2012 that the "design and reporting in MMR safety studies...is largely inadequate?" Is it not anomalous and misleading that this was not mentioned in the plain language summary which was designed for public and journalistic consumption?

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Debs75 · 08/04/2013 22:45

In light of a new measles outbreak wouldn't it be a sensible idea to sanction single jabs for those for which the MMR is unsuitable?

If so I could get my younger ones(4 and 2) vaccinated

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Bluestockings · 08/04/2013 22:49

MMR is essential protection for babies and the community and the vast majority suffer no adverse effects. However, it is generally acknowledged that a tiny proportion of children will have adverse effects and some will be permanently damaged - although fewer than would be damaged by severe measles. Why is this not acknowledged in law so that those parents whose children are damaged permanently by the vaccine don't have to spend years battling through the courts to get their children the help and support they will need for the rest of their lives? What are you doing - as the long-serving Director of immunisation - to ensure that such tragically damaged families don't have to suffer this trauma in addition to their daily difficulties and pain?

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dorapeppageorgenoddy · 08/04/2013 23:19

My son is 3 was too ill from 12months with repeated chest infections, every time we went for MMR they wouldn't do it - he has allergies and although is 'well' now, has asthma and allergies - we are not in an outbreak area should I ask the doc to get it done now or just wait?

My second son (20months) has not been called for MMR yet, not sure why, may have been missed as we have moved but also been repeatedly poorly still poorly with chest infections/asthma - should he have it or wait till he is full health?

Any general advice on the MMR and side effects would be good to hear -

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NorthernLurker · 08/04/2013 23:37

I know I had a single measles vaccine in the early 80s. 1981 I think. I kI also know I had a single rubella jab and when last tested nearly 7 years ago I was immune to rubella. Is that sufficient or should people like me consider the MMR as well?

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candleglow · 09/04/2013 00:43

I am so nervous about this mass vaccination in Wales. My son was injured by MMR and I fear for these babies - especially the very young ones. If injury does occur, will the DOH admit culpability and compensate familes?

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williamwallace · 09/04/2013 02:23

If the MMR is so safe why do we have a Vaccine Damage Payment Unit. I have collected over 1,200 parents voices all claiming their child was vaccine injured. Why are these children not be looked after and the families compensated by the government. Our vaccine injured children are just swept under the carpet for the common herd. Add your voice to //www.followingvaccinations.com

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AmandinePoulain · 09/04/2013 07:11

Candle don't worry about my baby - she's fine and I feel a lot better now that she's got some protection from a disease that shouldn't even be circulating in the 21st century given that it is wholly preventable with adequate levels of herd immunity.

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LilyBolero · 09/04/2013 07:23

How do you measure the efficacy of the MMR? I ask this within the context of my son having all the symptoms of measles(some 5yrs ago), but being told by the GP that if he wasn't vacced then they would dx measles, as he was, it couldn't be... , and that they didn't test for measles in vaccinated children... Hmm

Good way to get a high success rate.

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