Jimjams

[CoteDAzur]

(Sorry to crash the SN board)

On this thread, you said:

"Richard Halvorsen in his book said that if you average across the studies (which might differ considerably in their figures from stuff I've seen elsewhere) then the figures are something like the SINGLE mumps vaccine is 83% effective in preventing mumps, whilst the MMR is 62% effective in preventing mumps. Apparently some 2005 research (although I haven't seen the reference) from London showed one dose of MMR was 65% effective for mumps, rising to 88% after 2 doses."

I just came across this research and thought you would like to know about it. Here.

Thank you for your informative posts on this subject, by the way. You have single-handedly opened the eyes of many MNers, including myself.

[jimjamshaslefttheyurt]

Thanks cote. I wonder how long the mumps vaccine remains effective 'on average' (if there is such a thing) - notice they did some age adjustments there.

I still don't really get the point of mumps vaccine; tend to think its one people might be better off getting natural immunity from when young.

The big question for me is more one of how long does measles vaccine remain effective. I wish that politics could be put aside and monitoring undertaken with an open mind that it might not persist into adulthood (especially without natural measles circulating to boost immunity). It may be that another dose of MMR or single jabs is needed in early or perhaps mid adulthood if we want an effective vaccination programme. Of course it may be fine, but monitoring would allow action if needed to take place before an outbreak involving adults. I'm never that reassured by the response a friend had to a radio 4 phone in (!) years and years ago where he posed that question to a dept of health big wig. 'Will we need to give adult MMR boosters'. The dept of health big wig said it was likely. Never heard anything else since!

Something that has really opened my eyes is the Wakefield, Walker-Smith, Murch trial. I know I can only read the details on the Cry Shame website so far (which will be biased) but even leading aside interpretation and sticking to the straight reporting of what was said I've been quite shocked.

[CoteDAzur]

I don't get it, either. I had mumps and while it wasn't pleasant, it wasn't that big a deal.

I had measles twice. Once at 9 months (too early for immunity) and again at age 8 or so. Again, it wasn't the end of the world.

On this thread people suggested MMR provides 100% immunity which doesn't wear off (ever) in the majority of people. I looked for this post of yours because I remember you had given figures for the unimpressive level of effectiveness for one of the MMR diseases.

[MannyMoeAndJack]

When the media announce that there's been a measles outbreak, they never actually let us know how many of the affected individuals have been vaccinated. It would be a much more interesting and balanced story if they did.

I once read something about a Danish study that had found a high percentage of measles-infected individuals had actually been vaccinated.

I think there's too much money and politics in pharmeceuticals for a balanced picture to come out.

[feelingbitbetter]

Can someone direct me to JimJams posts? Haven't got to worry about MMR yet, but want to be as informed as I can be without opening a can of worms on a very devisive issue. I have done some research, and think I know what I'll do, but JimJams clearly has done a lot more and you can never be too informed can you?

[jenk1]

jimjams we are taking dd to see richard halvorsen next week for a consultation and then measles jab.

she already has PDD-NOS,Hemi and bowel difficulties so we are not taking any chances, will let u know how we get on.

[jimjamshaslefttheyurt]

Oh please do jenk. He recommends different things to different people so I trust him. We'll probably take ds2 to see him soon as I think he needs a tetanus soonish and also we need to think about whether or not to give a measles jab before he hits puberty (have some time to prepare for that but may as well have some sort of plan).

I had measles aged 9 as well cote. It wasn't pleasant but the feeling really rotten bit only lasted for a few days.

[kt14]

It's a nightmare of a decision. I had measles aged 4, was fine in a week, younger sister caught it from me and then ended up in a coma when it turned into encephalitis. She is now fine but was dubbed a "miracle child" by doctors for her complete recovery.

Neither of us were given the MMR, whereas ds1 (HFA) was. Have decided ds2 won't be given it and am considering separate vaccinations.