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Original poster

Childhood vaccinations as an adult

31 replies

Orangeblossom1976 · 17/08/2018 08:00

Although my children are fully vaccinated I have a feeling my parents didn't get mine done as a child in the 1970s. I think I remember having whooping cough as a child. Would you consider getting this checked out and getting them down as an adult, wonder if it is possible on the NHS?
Feeling quite cross about it as could have for example had measles in pregnancy- thankfully children are both fine.

OP posts:
PippilottaLongstocking · 17/08/2018 08:03

You’ve probably become immune to a lot of things through exposure but I’m sure you could get your immunity checked and get the ones you need.

ApplesinmyPocket · 17/08/2018 08:06

Funnily enough my DD (29) had MMR at our surgery yesterday! We just asked at reception and they fitted her in with the Nurse the very next day. Nurse also offered her a DPT booster as her notes said she had only had 4 doses, which she took. So yes, it's definitely possible.. in fact, they seemed happy to do it.

Nutkins24 · 17/08/2018 08:08

Yes my dh had his done as an adult. His mum was an anti Vaxer and there was a measles outbreak in his area. He didn’t want to take the risk anymore.

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Original poster
Orangeblossom1976 · 17/08/2018 08:10

Hmm, just noticed online they are saying measles cases on the rise in my area and people un-vaccinated are being asked to come to get it done. Might ask the GP perhaps.

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangeblossom1976 · 17/08/2018 08:12

Dominic Mellon, consultant in communicable disease control for Public Health England South West, said: “While measles is now relatively uncommon in England thanks to the MMR vaccine, those who are unvaccinated, or not fully vaccinated, remain susceptible to the disease.

“The cases we have seen recently in the area have affected young adults.

"It is important to be aware that it is never too late to have the vaccine, so if you’ve not received two doses of the vaccine in the past – or you’re unsure – speak to your GP.

"There’s no harm in receiving an additional dose where there is any uncertainty."

www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/measles-cases-rise-south-west-1484271

OP posts:
CruCru · 17/08/2018 08:15

Oh God, then yes get it done. Apart from anything else, if you get measles it will be a week off work at the least.

Having said that, I was born in 1978 and was one of the last to not be vaccinated. So perhaps they just weren’t offered when you were a child.

Original poster
Orangeblossom1976 · 17/08/2018 08:17

Possibly. It seems to say in the article people older should consider it if going abroad, but might just ask the GPs and see what they say.

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Penguin34 · 17/08/2018 08:18

I found out in my 30's I hadn't been vaccinated so I asked the nurse at the gp's if I could have them.
She said I could but I might need to pay which I didn't mind.
Anyway they came back to me and did them on the nhs no problem

thecapitalsunited · 17/08/2018 08:20

The nurse noticed I hadn’t had the MMR booster last time I went for a smear so I had it done. I’m 30 and apparently a lot of people around that age didn’t get both doses of MMR.

My mum was really upset about it because she thought she’d had everything done and didn’t like the thought that I’d been unprotected all these years. I had to persuade her from getting out my red book to prove that I’d had all my vaccinations! Grin

Longtalljosie · 17/08/2018 08:23

If you were born early-mid 70s you may not have had the MMR but perhaps the live measles vaccine (and then, in my case, mild measles!) and rubella vaccine at 12?

Original poster
Orangeblossom1976 · 17/08/2018 08:24

If there were lots of older people who hadn't got it done in the 1970s and before considering it is meant to be worse in older adults wouldn't they ask us all to come in and get done if there was a risk I wonder? It says our area is below the 95% level as well.

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangeblossom1976 · 17/08/2018 08:25

Think my parents were opposed to vaccines though or something Hmm so not sure Longtalljosie, if would have had them, guess the GP could check? I know had the BCG as a teen as done through school as i remember that.

OP posts:
Longtalljosie · 17/08/2018 08:27

I think you’d remember rubella if you’d had it - I had it done at school

Longtalljosie · 17/08/2018 08:28

You know what - I’d just do it. Are your parents still around to ask?

Longtalljosie · 17/08/2018 08:30

Have a look here - you’ll need to scroll down:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/mmr-vaccine/

Original poster
Orangeblossom1976 · 17/08/2018 08:30

Haha parents in 70s now and still odd about stuff! I'm in my 40s...maybe will just ring the surgery and ask them, don't want to put others at risk if it is in the area.

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cptartapp · 17/08/2018 08:42

If you were born before 1970 guidance says you are presumed to have had measles, mumps, rubella as a child and it isn't something that's tested for en masse (although they did used to check your immunity in pregnancy) and not usually an immediate concern unless living in or travelling abroad to an area of outbreak.
After that, if you can remember having the diseases or have documented cases of them then you're covered, or you may have had some single vaccines depending on the schedule at the time, but only two mmr vaccines (which only came in in 1988) will have you fully covered otherwise.
It's never to late to vaccinate and never too late to start. If there is any doubt at all (nil documented) then dtp (diphtheria, tetanus and polio) is given at 0, 1 month, 2 months, then boosters at 5 and 10 years. You can't 'over vaccinate' either. The surgery can check your notes and its free to have done.

CoolGirlsNeverGetAngry · 17/08/2018 08:43

Ring your surgery and check. I got mine done as an adult, no problems.

Original poster
Orangeblossom1976 · 17/08/2018 08:46

About the testing on pregnancy, think I vaguely remember something about that, would that have been done in 2000s I wonder? Hmm wonder if would be on record.

OP posts:
cptartapp · 17/08/2018 09:20

Yes your surgery should have those results.

specialsubject · 17/08/2018 10:01

the only one that may be too late is tb, apparently useless after 35.

drspouse · 17/08/2018 10:05

If you lived in the UK all that time, generally your GP records will have details (I'm a bit older than you and I think mine do though some of it may be filled in via parent memory).

FlorencesHunger · 17/08/2018 11:18

I had mmr jab post birth just before leaving the hospital as it got picked up during pregnancy that I didn't have immunity so must have had the jab for whatever reason, they were quite insistent that I was getting it before I could leave.

Never had bcg or polio in high school, when mentioned to gp they weren't bothered.

It's worth an ask.

OutPinked · 17/08/2018 11:27

If you have had children yourself you will no doubt have been informed whether you’re immune to rubella or not, it’s one of the things they test for.

I would go get them done without hesitation, its never too late. I’m currently pregnant and had the whooping cough vaccine done the other day, didn’t even feel it.

happymummy12345 · 17/08/2018 11:32

Honestly if you're not sure I would find out and get them done if needs be. I was fully vaccinated as a child, but if I thought otherwise I'd be finding out and getting any I hadn't had done ASAP.

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