To get the single measels vaccine ?

We can only give MMR early I.e. under 1 when we have been authorised to by UKHSA (which used to be called Public Health England).

GP practices have no authority to give until instructed by UKHSA as part of a local outbreak vaccine response strategy or unless travelling to or moving to live in a high prevalence country.

Response to MMR vaccine is suboptimal in under one’s due to maternal antibodies so not “counted” in dosing terms.

If you want your baby to have any vaccine early for measles protection I’d go for MMR rather than singles measles vaccine which would be an import and may not be safe or effective.

@Thotnbg Did you get your baby vaccinated? I’m in Liverpool too with a 10 month old who’s about to start nursery (who’ve just had one child off with measles) so I’m worried sick about it. Would love if I can get them vaccinated early to provide some form of immunity.

Of course you are not being dramatic. You are worried about the health of your baby, that is the most natural thing on the planet.

It's a shame that you have to think abut early immunisation.

Part of me thinks there should be cameras at Alder Hay filming the children who are ill.

I know that isn't practical and would breach lots of ethics but I think it is only after seeing how ill children can be that some people will take this seriously.

Just one thing OP why are you willing to pay for a measles jab rather than MMR?

I know measles is your priority but if you can give your baby immunity for 3 diseases why wouldn't you?

Is it the cost?

Oh and while it is called a 'single' that refers to the disease not the number of jabs, both need two jabs.

I don't think you are being dramatic OP. My Dad caught measles as a toddler (pre vaccine days) and was very seriously ill. He recovered but has had life long deafness with hearing aids, and has never been able to go swimming as he can't get his ears wet. Every time he washes he has to take precautions with his ears. He is a very clever man but didn't do much with his schooling as he found it hard to hear/ follow the lessons. It's clearly playing on your mind, I'd say its worth paying for it for the peace of mind if you can.

You’re not being dramatic. Even few years ago, before the current outbreak, when my baby was 6 months old we were considering travelling to the UK and our doctor strongly recommended us giving the MMR to my baby.

Green Book, chapter 11 states MMR can be given in the event of a local outbreak from 6m. I’m not a prescriber, but if JCVI says it’s ok I’d maybe consider asking your GP again before opting for private route

I know two people deafened due to measles. Anyone thinking the MMR in unsafe is being unreasonable. Anyone not vaccinating their children is being unreasonable. Your baby would be a lot safer if there was herd immunity in your area.
You can't get the single vaccine on the NHS. If your child is old enough to have the vaccine, just get the MMR.

My mum was very ill with measles. I was just young enough to get the vaccination when it came out.

I was very ill with mumps.

Id ask about mmr. Mumps complications can affect male fertility

You’re not being the least bit dramatic.

No, you’re not being dramatic.

there was an outbreak of something when my youngest was a baby, too young for the mmr and I remember being absolutely furious that my child was potentially at risk because of others.

I'm old, so had all these illnesses in childhood. Measles, I was dangerously unwell but am unscathed, mumps wasn't great, rubella I had in the 5th month of pregnancy. Baby also undamaged. But I was lucky and nobody should rely on luck if they don't have to. Get as much protection for your children as possible against these potentially damaging diseases.

You are not been unreasonable at all. Speak to the Dr. They might ring the immunology team at the local hospital or the local hospital may have already sent advice about early immunisation over already given the cases.

Hopefully lots of people will take up the offer of jabs and it will slow down the number of cases.

@Thotnbg if your dc can't have the mmr then they cant have the single measles jab.
The single vaccines are also less effective than the mmr.
I'd also question where they got the vaccine from as it hasn't been manufactured in the uk or eu for decades.
I'd get the mmr as soon as your dc is allowed it

I think it’s a reasonable enough question based on where you live and what’s currently happening and you’re not being unreasonable to speak to the dr about it. I would.

Well you didn't actually ask that, but my apologies.

Thing is people do often make statements of varying degrees of accuracy and give quasi-medical advice on threads such as these, so it's worth being careful what you give credence to, that's all.

But as for being dramatic? No you're not. I'd be scared to have an unvaccinated child at the moment and would also look into any earlier options.

Agreed.

I’m old. I got measles as an infant before vaccines. Apparently, my parents were advised that it was very likely I would die. My mother still gets upset about it now.

You aren’t being dramatic at all. The timing of vaccines for babies is dependent on their natural immunity. Baby will have some immunity to measles from you (assuming you have had it) that are passed in pregnancy but I would get GP advice about whether MMR could be given early.

@Thotnbgi hope you’re able to get the MMR for your wee one. You’re not being unreasonable to want to protect them.