Measles Outbreak?

[MoaningLisa]

I am sure you have all heard on the news that there has been an outbreak of measles.

Papers, Schools, Hv, Drs are saying if you or your child haven't had the vaccine(s) now would be a good time to get it done.

I cant help but think though that the parents who haven't and wont get their child vaccinated are putting their children at risk.

Aibu to think that its just bloody selfish and very daring to play with their own childs life?

Freudian slip there - meant "Are you aware that non vaccinating does NOT necessarily mean that nonvaxers are worshipers of all things twat-wankery-woo", of course.

Side EFFECTS. Not affects.

I'm going to make tea. (Strong, caffiene-fuelled, with sugar, not organic, not green, not herbal, FYI, bigfatcath).

I wish the uptake of vaccinations was higher.
Both my boys are fully vaccinated up to date. I can't do DD though as she's had an adverse reaction to her 8 week jabs that involved collapse, blue light to hospital and advice that any further attempts to immunise would kill her.

"I can't do DD though as she's had an adverse reaction to her 8 week jabs that involved collapse, blue light to hospital and advice that any further attempts to immunise would kill her."

And there's all these folk trying to convince me to have myself and my own children vaccinated.... and apparently not understanding why I never will.

I trust that DD is well now, Glitter? Poor mite. :(

Uptake of MMR vaccine is 90%. I'm quite shocked 10% of parents would not get their child vaccinated. It has been proved safe so why would you leave your kids at risk?

How do you know those 10% did not get their child vaccinated - how do you know they didn't pay for single vaccines, so are not at risk?

here are all manner of reasons for not immunising children or oneself. I don't think I've given mine as they aren't relevant. However, one of these is that I see no sense in putting into a healthy body a mixture which that body does not currently need, is unlikely to need (ie even if the person contracts the disease the chances of permanent damage are very small), indeed, may well NEVER need, which has in some people side affects which are not imo acceptable or reasonable and which we don't have a sodding clue about wrt long-term effects.

So valhalla you are an expert in immunology/ medicine (and education)

Great, I thought so!

OP I think people who do not vaccinate their children are selfish and a bit dim TBH

Vallhala - I haven't read the whole thread so apologies if someone has already mentioned this but.... it's not just your children who are at risk of measles, it's others (vaccinated or not) too. Have you not heard of herd immunity? Vaccination ONLY works if the vast majority (if not all) of the population is vaxed.

My view on vaxing has changed a lot in the last year since I've been studying Biology and understand now how it all works. I used to sceptical of vaxing - my children are extremely healthy and it seemed unnecessary to inject drugs into them. IF they caught the diseases in question they would be able to fight them naturally. Etc etc. But now I understand the science behind it: vaxing ALL members of a community ensures transmission of the pathogen (disease) is interrupted.

The bottom line is the risk of side effects is much, much smaller than the risk of disease.

... and Valhalla where is the peer reviewed scientific evidence to your views, links please.

Don't be so silly, Bigfatcath. As I said, I'm nothing of the sort... though it depends what you mean by "expert" when it comes to education! :o

I'm merely a woman who has made the considered decision not to vaccinate herself or her children for a variety of reasons. The ones I gave above are only part of it. That we don't know what the long-term effects are, that the risk of permanent damage to someone contracting measles is small, that my children and I are currently healthy and not in need of this cocktail is undeniable. I don't need to be an expert in order to come to those conclusions.

Valhalla, your attitude leaves my 8mo DD at risk? Have you thought of that? That it isn't just your children, its all the little babies who haven't been vaccinated yet and if they get measles they would likely to seriously ill because their immune system (wonderful as it is) isn't fully developed. It really pisses me off that non-vac arguments claim it is only putting their children at risk.

But of course, as you say, you are only concerned about your children.
Thanks for that

Dancergirl, yes it's been covered. :) See above - my priority is my children, not those of others and my reason for not vaccinating is NOT because there is or might be herd immunity. That's just an added bonus.

Bigfatcath, probably in the same place that you and/or other posters keep the peer reviewed scientific evidence which gives them authority/encouragement to feed themselves and their children meat. Not something I'd do, but the majority choose to, despite the side effects, long term damage to the consumer and undeniable harm to other creatures.

In the mental filing cabinet called "Making what I consider the best choices for my children and I regardless of what others think or want!".

As I said, it's really no big deal, we have freedom of choice thank goodness. I only came in to say that I disagree with the OP, defend her right to hold her view but that if, as I know has happened to some people, someone were to be rude to me or unnecessarily challenging/demanding of an explanation they'd regret it!

I'm too slow at typing and am in and out - to those who are anxious to jump upon me ask questions of my views or criticise them, apologies, I'm not ignoring you or running scared of opposing views, just busy for the next few hours. :)

I remember reading about Jessica Mitford, whose mother was of the opinion that the "good body" didn't need vaccinations and felt that the "good body" would deal with whatever it was dealt with naturally.

Jessica Mitford's infant daughter died of measles during an epidemic, caught from JM herself because JM had no immunity and had never been vaccinated.

My uncle died of measles complications at the age of 11. Absolutely heartbreaking for my grandmother. :(

Valhalla doesn't give a crap about anyone but herself and her kids Mercedes519.

THAT is abundantly clear.

I never understand why I'd have to have scientific peer reviewed information at hand (which there is of course to support almost every theory in existence!) and people who support vaccination accept the government line without asking for the scientific peer reviewed information to back that up. In the end you will find and accept the evidence that backs up your particular view. For example, how many pro-vaccination parents have considered the likelihood of their child contracting encephalitis following the vaccination itself? Or the possible link between vaccination and the increase in auto-immune disorders such as diabetes? If they have they have decided it is a risk they are prepared to take. Like all parents, we weigh up the evidence and decide on balance where our judgement lies.
I don't have to be an expert on immunology to make this decision, just as all the parents who do vaccinate are not experts, I make the decision based on the information I can find and I find trustworthy. Not all experts agree, as a midwife I can vouch for there usually being several differing opinions on how to manage a certain situation, so being an expert is no guarantee of coming up with the 'right' answer.

Roald Dahls daughter also died from measles in 1962

I think vaccination against measles should be compulsory. Unless your dc has a history of reaction to vaccinations. Smallpox was eradicated in this country due to vaccination. Measles is still here because some people believe they know more than doctors and emminent scientists.

Microserf, it is very satisfying to insult people but in the end it is not productive in any way. I think you are wilfully misreading her posts to justify a view you already hold.
Not sure that an article you once read about Jessica Mitford (how long ago was that anyway!) is peer reviewed scientific evidence pooka!
The fact that I know several people who have died in car accidents has not yet inspired me to start a campaign to ban people from using cars, I know plenty of people who have survived measles without complications but that will not convince you that it is not always a death sentence will it?

I don't buy into all this collective social responsibility crap and never will

It is just as well that people do, when people can be so selfish and not think of everyone. I don't think that you realise the complications Vallhala and hopefully you will never regret your stand. I am older than most. I had measles. DCs died from it-Roald Dahl's DD was not the only one. Children lost their sight.

Vallhala- I know you are very involved with dogs and would be interested to know what your views are on vaccinating animals. I'm in no way comparing your children to animals btw (I respect your decision not to vaccinate), but I understand from my very limited knowledge that owners are advised to vaccinate their dogs against various diseases and that you have to show evidence that they have received the vaccinations if you use boarding kennels etc.

As I understand it, your dogs are very much part of your family. Are your views on vaccinating your dogs any different and if so, why?

I don't believe in vaccinations.

My son is now 15 months and still hasn't had his MMR much to the local surgery's dismay.

I just took a year at random -1951-and 242 children died-do we really want to go back to that because 'people don't buy into all this collective social responsibility crap'

do any of the anti vaccine group realise that measles is a killer? it amazes me that people are willing to gamble with their children's lives. herd protection- only works if all those that can be vaccinated are, that way the imuno suppressed or those that can't have the imm are protected.

Do all these people taking the luxury of 'I don't believe in vaccinations' feel that they could responsibly take their DC to India? Or are they relying on the fact that they have the good luck to live in countries where people are socially responsible?

It isn't a legal requirement so sod it. I'm not putting my child at risk of various vaccinations just so you can sleep soundly at night.

If you agree with immunisations so badly, get your child immunised, but the chill the fuck out in telling other people what to do with their children. It's none of your business.