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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think about getting the Men B vaccine privately for DD (4)?

95 replies

cinnamongirl1976 · 17/02/2017 18:55

Just that, really. It's expensive but we could probably afford it. I'd love to know the thoughts of others who have had it done privately ... I do know that the risk of her getting it is actually quite small, but it is still a risk and if it did happen I'm not sure I could ever forgive myself. I would really like others' opinions on this, especially as I think DH is less sure about it than I am (and I cannot do this if he isn't 100% about it).

OP posts:

ToastDemon · 18/02/2017 01:06

Do it. Neighbours lost their six year old a few months ago.

ShelaghTurner · 18/02/2017 07:49

Hazza I paid for each jab straight afterwards in Boots. She did mention advantage points but I haven't checked them. I must be loaded!

WhoKn0wsWhereTheTimeG0es · 18/02/2017 07:53

We paid straight after each jab in Boots too. My DCs were 10 and 12, they both had painful arms for a few days afterwards but no other ill effects.

Solasum · 18/02/2017 07:58

We have recently paid £140 for 2 chicken pox injections, and had the first Men B vaccine for a whopping £120. But, like PP, if he or it and I knew I could have done something about it...

HeteronormativeHaybales · 18/02/2017 08:02

Can I echo what YippieKayak says? I'm a little bit concerned about the posters talking about the vaccine giving them peace of mind. It protects against nasty and relatively common sub-strains of Men B but not against all meningitis, and even then no vaccine is always 100%. If your child has been vaccinated, please don't assume they can't get meningitis.

PicnicPie · 18/02/2017 08:16

Can I ask a silly question, if it was such a risk then why wouldn't the nhs be encouraging people to get their children vaccine? Is on the increase? Why has it become an issue now? Is it that it wasn't previously available before?

Semaphorically · 18/02/2017 08:24

Picnic the MenB vaccine has only recently been developed, and then had to get MHRA approval for use in the UK as well as JCVI approval to include it on the UK childhood vaccination schedule.

TheFullMrexit · 18/02/2017 08:27

Isn't it there biggest killer of dc in certain age group? Op we also had ours done it huge relief for me. I understand it's not fail safe, nothing ever is but it's something.

TheFullMrexit · 18/02/2017 08:28

I thinks new born get it now

HeteronormativeHaybales · 18/02/2017 08:28

The vaccine took a long time to develop due to the nature of the bacteria and the variety of the sub-strains (not a scientist but have read up on this and I think that is pretty much the gist). Due to its limited resources the NHS is targeting the group most at risk from Men B - babies - just as the ACWY targets the group most at risk from those strains - teens and students.

WhoKn0wsWhereTheTimeG0es · 18/02/2017 08:36

Hetero - I think people do understand that, the peace of mind cones from knowing that you have taken every precaution you can. I know there is still a risk but feel happier that my money has been spent on the vaccination than I would have done with it sitting in the bank.

PicnicPie · 18/02/2017 08:40

Thanks. I should probably give it some considerable thought.

Semaphorically · 18/02/2017 09:39

MenB is the most prevalent strain of meningococcal meningitis. MenC cases have been very successfully controlled with the newborn vaccination schedule, so they've taken MenC out of the infant vaccinations now.

thethoughtfox · 18/02/2017 09:45

We did it. It's the thing you worry about every time your child is unwell or gets a rash. It was worth the cost for and extra bit of peace of mind.

Birthdaypartyangstiness · 18/02/2017 09:48

Have had both DSes vaccinated. Aged 5 and 2.

It's a terrible disease. Nothing more to say really!

WanderLustingLane · 18/02/2017 09:55

I did, I used boots. Was a waiting list but went quick. Apple online to book or go on waiting list of there is one still.
It was 95 first vaccice paid on the day.
Then two months later 95 again paid on the day

So I saved for the first one then had two months before I had to pay for second dose.

They are all done 8 weeks apart.

WanderLustingLane · 18/02/2017 09:56

Apply online boots website under vaccine etc *

SeaEagleFeather · 18/02/2017 15:57

Just to say, visited SIL today and she's looking much better though it'll be weeks if not months before she's back at work. Released from hospital in a few days though.

YippieKayakOtherBuckets · 18/02/2017 16:54

Pleased to hear it, SeaEagle. Hope she has a speedy, full recovery

Y0uCann0tBeSer10us · 18/02/2017 17:37

As you say, the risk of contracting Men B are actually very small, and cases were dropping even before the introduction of the vaccine, but ultimately it's your choice if it gives you peace of mind.

As others have said though, keep in mind that this is a new vaccine with very little data about real world effectiveness in different age groups, and immunity may well wane after only a couple of years (this is what the preliminary lab data suggested would happen). Additionally you shouldn't assume that it will protect you from all Men B strains - the only large scale real world data on actual disease prevention effectiveness (rather than antibody responses or an epidemic setting) is from the recent roll out in under 1s in the UK, which showed it reduced Men B cases by 50%. Beware there is also some evidence of vaccinated babies still contracting Men B. Basically I'm echoing what others have said, and saying don't ignore meningitis signs because you assume the vaccine makes that impossible (although Meningitis is so rare that chances are it's not that regardless).

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