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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be unsure about giving DD the other 2 immunisations

47 replies

Lia87 · 13/12/2012 12:11

my DD had her first lot of immunisations 3 weeks ago. before that she hadn't been ill. Since having them, she's been projectile vomiting most days rather than about once a week before, had a cough+cold since a few days after, been waking up screaming, not feeding as well and crying a lot more. It seems like its weakened her immune system if anything.

I took her to the doctors about the cough and she said to just keep an eye that her breathing didnt start to be raspy, and that side effects from the injections "usually" only last 48 hours.

i'm just concerned that it's actually doing more harm than good, after reading the immunisations booklet, one of the things hadn't even had a case in the uk for about 20 years, and so seems like it's just putting things in her system for the sake of it to still be doing it now.

i definitely don't want her having them yet, especially as she's still under the weather, but i'm not sure about them at all really. My DM has also been saying about links between autism and learning difficulties increasing since they've become standard procedure. I'm sure that's just a fluke but it just seems another risk. I'm really not convinced the benefit outweighs the side effects at the moment.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Jingleflobba · 13/12/2012 12:16

Whooping cough is currently doing the rounds in certain parts of the country I think, there have certainly been a couple of threads on here about it.
The reason the diseases in the immunisations have decreased though is because of the immunisation programme.
You really should let her have the whole set, once she's well enough of course, the nurse won't do it if she's under the weather still.

mycatlikestwiglets · 13/12/2012 12:16

There is no link between immunisations and autism - the study which claimed there was has been disproved and I'm pretty sure the author was struck off the medical register.

The reason that there are now so few cases of diseases which are part of the immunisation programme is that immunisation has effectively made them obsolete. If people stop getting immunised, they will return - look at whooping cough and think about whether you want to expose your DD to that sort of risk.

If you're really concerned that immunisations caused your DD's illness, speak to your GP but read up on the facts first. It's far more likely that your DD has picked up one or more of the many winter bugs doing the rounds atm.

CwtchesAndCuddles · 13/12/2012 12:34

A friend of mine didn't give her children the second MMR - right now both her children have measles. She is worried sick about them and feels guilty that this could have been prevented.

Sirzy · 13/12/2012 12:39

It's winter, a child to have be ill for a few weeks over winter isn't unusual.

In the vast majority of cases the dangers of not immunising outweigh the dangers of immunising.

JolieColombe · 13/12/2012 12:51

I though that one of the reasons for the supposed rise in autism is that diagnoses are now more successful, it is spotted earlier etc. Also, iirc, Aspergers being incorporated into the autism numbers caused an increase too, without there actually being an increase, iyswim.

But with regards to your DD, you need to think about whether it's worth taking that kind of risk should she be exposed to these diseases later in life. Some of them can have horrendous side-effects, especially (as you have a little girl) if she should get them when pregnant (thinking German Measles here which can cause birth defects in a developing foetus). Remember, they might not be prevalent in the UK (now), but when she grows up she could travel anywhere!

And don't forget, if she has been really poorly, you can always ask the practise nurse or HV, whoever's doing the immunisations, to postpone for a week or two.

Original poster
Lia87 · 13/12/2012 12:54

would it be reasonable to postpone them until say 2-3 years old? it just seems like a lot to give a small baby.

OP posts:
Jingleflobba · 13/12/2012 12:58

I would look at post poning the next set till the new year. Don't forget at 13 months she will have the MMR and the follow up jab at 3 (I think.)
It s a lot and it's not nice putting them through it but it has a longer term advantage that I don't think you are considering.

MissCellania · 13/12/2012 13:04

It's a coincidence. give the vaccinations, otherwise she may get a lot more ill.

What hasn't had a case in the UK for 20 years?

snowtunesgirl · 13/12/2012 13:05

I would say that immunisations are time tabled for a reason and there is no good reason to delay. Also remember that the older your DD gets, the more mobile she will be and will also come into contact with more and more people. Therefore, the likelihood of her coming into contact with these diseases increases during this time period.

MMR is done at a year old and the booster is given at 15 months. My DD has just had her first MMR.

NumericalMum · 13/12/2012 13:18

Please give your child the immunisations. If you can find a child in the UK who hasn't had a winter cold whether or not they also had immunisations at the same time I would be amazed.

Sirzy · 13/12/2012 13:18

The problem with delaying them is if she gets something so young if can be much more dangerous.

To an older child whooping cough is (normally) just very annoying and uncomfortable. To a young baby it can kill.

Sallyingforth · 13/12/2012 13:32

Even if it was related to the jab, there is no guarantee that it will happen again. The body will have built up some resistance from the first time.

bigbadbarry · 13/12/2012 13:35

Everybody here has had vomiting or nasty cough/cold; most have had both. Is just that time of year (and it does seem to be quite bad this year). Coinciding with jabs is a pure coincidence. We've had a letter home from school about measles doing the rounds: I wouldn't risk it.

Lonecatwithkitten · 13/12/2012 14:08

I am pro-vaccination. I would suggest you find out about the diseases that the vaccinations cover.
Just because something hasn't been seen in the UK doesn't mean that it can't come back.

My DD was the first baby to develop a particular condition in 25years (not covered by vaccinations). She nearly died as the first GP didn't recognise the symptoms as it didn't exist here any more. Fortunately the second GP came from a different part of the world where health care is not as good so recognised it. Luckily the consultant surgeon had seen this problem though none of the other hospital doctors had and knew exactly what to do to save her life.

MrsTerrysChocolateOrange · 13/12/2012 14:13

When the MMR nonsense came out, cases of all the diseases started rising. Because people weren't vaccinating. Doctors saw cases of mumps regularly for the first time in years. Mumps, which can make people sterile.

I wouldn't force anyone to vaccinate but please find out about the real risks of the diseases you are talking about... death, hearing loss, LDs, a host of other possible risks.

saintlyjimjams · 13/12/2012 15:33

Actually the rise in mumps cases was nothing to do with the MMR-autism fears.

MR was given in place of MMR for a while because the brand of MMR that was being used was causing meningitis Mumps also seems to have a bit of an issue with waning immunity.

Lia - you can take your time in making your decision. There's a vaccination topic on mumsnet - it's a bit bunfighty at times, but there is a similar recent thread on there at the moment.

saintlyjimjams · 13/12/2012 15:36

some more about the mumps outbreak although they don't mention the replacement of MMR with MR after the urabe strain problems. But anyway, does make the point it's not to do with reduced uptake of MMR.

Moominsarescary · 13/12/2012 15:45

I took ds3 to have his MMR the other day, he's having it late at 20 months.

Turns out he hasn't had the third hib injection. I was in hospital when it was due and completely forgot.

He had that instead and was fine in himself but couldn't walk as the injections were given in his legs. If he'd had them when he should it wouldn't have been a problem as he wouldn't have been mobile. He was very upset so I wouldn't leave them until 2 years.

Lots of childhood illnesses are on the rise, how would you feel if your dd caught whooping cough because she hadn't been immunised? I felt terrible that ds hadn't had his final hib and I'd put him at risk.

MoonlightMerrimentandMistletoe · 13/12/2012 15:55

I think you might be being a little U. As others have said, it's better all round to get them done when smaller. While some of the projectile vomiting may have been linked, the cough/cold probably wasn't.

Small child here had a week of high temperature and general un-wellness after whatever vaccination they give at the six month mark, but hasn't had issues with any of the other ones (including the booster from the six month one) since.

Definitely get DD immunised as soon as she's perked up a little again, it's a very short period of discomfort for an awful lot of benefit.

GreenPetals · 13/12/2012 16:05

Lia whatever you are deciding please don't do so because of frightening stories of X cild who nearly died of whatever (from either sides).
Read about the side effects of vacs, read about their efficiency. Make up your own mind wo listening to people on MN etc...
Because whatever you do, you (and your child) will have to live with the consequence of it.

Some people will tell you this would be the worst thing to do for their child, others that they know about X who has had so many issue of whatever illness.

These aren't proof of anything, just examples and as such do not have any meaning at all (as whether vacs are dangerous or not, Ok to delay or not etc...).

If you have a doubt, then instruct yourself on the subject, learn and decide for yourself.

GreenPetals · 13/12/2012 16:07

Oh and I am getting really annoyed at all these links abut outbreaks of mumps or measles. The OP isn't talking about the MMR but about immunisations done with much younger children.

Very different issue both because of the age of the child and because of the type of illnesses.

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 13/12/2012 16:13

I think it would be reasonable of you to delay until your dd is well again, and then to have the injections given at intervals so that they are not all r IDE at the same time.

noblegiraffe · 13/12/2012 16:17

I teach in a school and at the moment loads of kids are off sick. It's that time of year, unfortunately, and probably nothing to do with the vaccinations.

nickelbabylyinginamanger · 13/12/2012 16:18

I'm sure your baby will be fine.

a small number of children will get poorly following injections, but unless there are serious side effects, then there is no reason to stop the course of immunisation

your doctor is properly trained in this, you know - if you'd had dangerous side effects, they would advise you on it (or you'd be in A&E by now)

it is normal - you are, after all, putting small amounts of a disease into your baby's system.
the baby learns to fight it, and then if the real disease presents itself, the baby will be better equipped to stop it killing them.

you are putting your baby (and the herd) at risk if you do not continue the vaccination programme.
There are a good many children (and adults) who are seriously ill, (and babies who are younger than vaccination age) and not immunising your child when they have no underlying medical is putting their lives at risk.

imagine your baby getting a disease that you've chosen not to vaccinate for, and coming into contact with someone who is recovering from cancer. their immune system is compromised by the cancer, and your baby could kill that person, or at least cause them to become seriously ill.

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