Delaying vaccinations due to autism

[WorriedaboutThe]

I have 2 dc with autism. Both present in a similar way for certain things. My 6 y o was late with vaccinations as reacted so terribly to going to the doctor surgery . Traumatic meltdowns and physical symptoms so we did the 8,12,16 w vaccinations but the 1 year and pre school ones were done at 5.5 years (after we had done a lot of work about it and he was able to understand a little more. In that time we relied on herd immunity temporarily. The gp agreed with us (she has now retired)

we are now in the same situation with our younger child although her meltdowns are even worse. The new gp is not agreeing and we keep getting texts and calls saying we need to book catch up appts. I’m not anti vax Im just delaying. We live in an area with high uptake of all vaccinations and dd isn’t at nursery etc (we home educate eldest too so it’s not even like germs are being brought home via an older sibling). I’ve explained to the gp that I can’t risk a severe meltdown (in the past they have resulted in seizures and other physical manifestations that have caused hospitalisation and further trauma ) I just want to wait a bit but the gp is pressuring me - can they actually take this any further and force us or am I still within my rights to delay ? As far as I can see researching online it’s parental choice ?

It's interesting reading this thread to see how things must be for parents with easygoing kids! And how little idea they have of the realities of life with kids with additional needs...

My eldest didn't have such a bad reaction as yours but he was terrified of the doctor for years after his 3 year vaccinations. He managed to have his covid jab last summer with no problems at all. We read about it, we learned about Emla cream, and he was so trusting that the cream would work, he was fine. So I can see where you're coming from with the waiting idea.
I'm very pro vax but it does sound like you've really thought this through. It is probably worth trying to check what the vaccination rates truly are in your area though as measles is on the rise and coverage is patchy.

To put it bluntly no it isn’t easier as they get older because things that cause panic seizures in big people cause the kind of reactions that mean you can’t access medical treatments at all. You need to face it a deal with it while you can pick up your child and your presence is a balm. (@WorriedaboutThe As an aside dentistry is probably something you need to win at too. You probably need the “community dentist” who treat children/adults with disabilities and can access general anaesthetic for fillings and extra support eg ds had an appointment every other week to learn how to have a “check up” more easily. You can be referred by your own dentist or the GP)

We had the same with ds with the dentist actually and he’s fine now he just developed understanding at a slower pace and now he can understand what the dentist is doing etc and has pictures etc of the surgery and dentist and nurse and understands he’s been fine. We tried to take dd once absolute nightmare so waiting for that as well till she has developed the understanding and I can use tools to support her and calm her it’s just seems to come a bit later for them

The only thing you need to think about is whether you are willing to risk your child dying or being affected for life by a vaccine-preventable disease, or not. There is no scientific evidence to indicate that this is anything other than a straightforward decision. As someone who has family members who were killed or severely disabled by vaccine-preventable diseases before the vaccines were available, I would urge you not to be influenced by nonsense conspiracy theories.

The nurse was quite correct.

If it's simply a case of the bombardment of reminders not being welcome, call the surgery and request that they refrain from sending you phone correspondence (whether you can also opt out of letters, I don't know). We had to do the same thing as I was getting messages a couple of times a week.

If they weren’t epileptic I’d say you could risk waiting a few years.

If hospitals and ambulances were running normally I would say you could risk waiting a few years.

If community levels were low I would say you could risk waiting a few years.

If your children weren’t likely to be less aware of infection and probably mixing with others similarly vulnerable would say you could risk waiting a few years.
As it is I would do the hard thing and push for vaccination now. You can talk to your paediatrician about it.

I think the single vaccines are still available through baby jabs in west London,
www.babyjabs.co.uk/
DD had her measles vaccine there and whilst we there, there were a few overseas visitors getting their children vaccinated.

It’s the not refusing that’s why they keep on at you, you say you want the vaccine so they’re trying to give it to you. Just outright refuse them and ask to be taken off their list. When you’re ready just say you’ve changed your mind.