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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it's not a "monumental waste of money"

150 replies

EmilyReallyKnowsHerStuff · 30/09/2017 23:41

I have just booked an appointment at Boots for my 2.5 year old to have the meningitis B vaccination. It's a bit of a drag in terms of the amount it's costing, but I believe it is absolutely worth it. I have read a few accounts from posters here who have sadly lost children to this disease and it makes me feel sick to my stomach.

My friend (antenatal friend, has a child the same age as mine) is very sneery about it. A monumental waste of money, apparently. The chances of her contracting it are so slim there is no point etc etc.

She's wrong, isn't she? I'm not just being paranoid and overprotective?

(On a side note, it is an absolute scandal how much this is costing. We are very fortunate that we can afford it. But what about those who cannot? It seems absolutely draconian that those who can't afford to pay for it just need to hope their child doesn't contract it Hmm)

OP posts:
meddie · 01/10/2017 14:15

If this had been around when mine were babies I would have had it done in a heartbeat. Thankfully due to vaccines I no longer see as many children left disabled, losing limbs or dying. Though will still get a couple a year its no where near the amount we used to see.

reallyorange · 01/10/2017 14:43

I did it for DS1 who also missed the window for the NHS jab. Absolutely a priority in my eyes.

Starlight2345 · 01/10/2017 14:45

One thing I will add is , every parenting decision you make someone will disagree with you.

It doesn't matter if every person on this thread agreed with your friend we all do what we think is best for our children.

There will be many more decisions you make someone will disagree with so long as you and your partner agree ignore everyone else.

I would also add I was not aware of the injection and you have also brought awareness to other parents who themselves can make the decision .

I agree with others though it might be slim chance but I can't imagine how protecting your child is a waste of money

Wibblywobblyfoo · 01/10/2017 14:54

My son had meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia at 13 months old. spent weeks in hospital and I was told to get ready to say goodbye. He got away luckily and 'only' lost his hearing. If you can and want to vaccinate then do it. I would never want another parent to be in the position i was.

expatinscotland · 01/10/2017 16:16

'I have been told by a school nurse (expert in vaccinations) and a senior doctor that in that age group it is a very low risk and a waste of money. They also have small children. However, once the idea was in my head, I couldn't NOT get it done, almost like an OCD thing.'

What irresponsible 'advice', but they'd be singing a different tune if it's their child's funeral. It's only rare when it doesn't happen to you is always my response to people who throw this out.

knobblykneesandturnedouttoes · 01/10/2017 16:30

Not a waste of money, but possibly she couldn't afford £220 even if she wanted to. If you're struggling to make ends meet, then £220 is a fortune. So maybe she's a bit sad that only more well off people can protect their kids against such a horrid disease.

OneOfTheGrundys · 01/10/2017 16:36

Paid privately for both mine to have it. Who cares about her. Spend your money how you like.

TheSecondOfHerName · 01/10/2017 16:39

My 17 year old was given the MenACWY vaccination at school (at the same time as his last DTP dose) but not Meningitis B. The same will be true for the 15 year old this year.

expatinscotland · 01/10/2017 16:41

Yeah, IIRC, it's the MenACWY given to teens, not the MenB. In the US, the MenB for 'older' children is licensed for children age 10+.

knobblykneesandturnedouttoes · 01/10/2017 16:43

I'm interested to know if anyone has the information, what each vaccine costs the NHS?

eurochick · 01/10/2017 16:44

If it was a monumental waste of money they nhs wouldn't be bothering with it. They are a pretty cost conscious organisation.

LakieLady · 01/10/2017 16:45

My DGD was born in July 2015, would she have had the vax on the NHS?

If she hasn't, we'd offer to pay for it privately. Someone I used to know lost a child to meningitis, and a colleague's son got some sort of sepsis when he had it and had to have both legs amputated.

Tainbri · 01/10/2017 16:48

I survived meningitis and I can tell you it is the most awful, awful terrifying experience and I was one of the fortunate ones that not only did I survive, but thankfully there are no long term effects (but it did take nearly two years to recover fully) your friend is very flippant and quite frankly wrong. Protect your family, you can't put a price on it.

Frazzled2207 · 01/10/2017 17:02

Not a waste of money, my youngest was
Born may 201so just within the cut off.
Felt it unfair that my eldest didn’t so paid for his.

However, remember it only offers
(Some) protection against one strain of meningitis. Your child could still get it, but hopefully chances are lower than before.

Although I suspect the nhs is getting a better deal than us parents, I don’t expect that the nhs would be now making it a routine vaccination if it was not deemed to be worth doing.

Frazzled2207 · 01/10/2017 17:05

Born 2015 I mean.

Also bear in mind it’s not meningitis b.
It’s meningococcal B which can lead to meningitis. And other things.
Not the same thing.

LadyInDread · 01/10/2017 17:11

We had one child who got it free, the others didn't. We begged borrowed half the money from family and have now paid it back. The other half we went without for a while, proper dinners (for us, kids ate normally), walked instead of buses etc to afford it. Horrible disease.

grannytomine · 01/10/2017 17:12

My daughter had meningitis 9 years ago. I wish we could have protected her, it isn't nice for the child or parents. I know someone whose child died of meningitis.

washingmachinefastwash · 01/10/2017 17:33

I had my son vaccinated 2 years ago when it hadn’t long come out.

We paid £150 per vaccine and needed 2 doses.

I’m so glad I’ve done it.

Do what you feel is right OP.

RedBlu · 01/10/2017 17:39

Out of interest, when was the cut off? We had DD in May this year and she has had two doses of Men B (I think it was 8 weeks, and 16 weeks) - is this the same one people are talking about or is there another type?

Oly5 · 01/10/2017 17:40

It's a colossal good use of money if you ask me. I've had both my kids vaccinated privately... If have lived on beans on toast to pay for it. Now when they are older teens I don't have to worry about that second spike in cases... Which would kill them.
Your friend sounds jealous tbh

Oly5 · 01/10/2017 17:41

Redblu, your child is luckily covered by the new NHS men B scheme. The OP has an older. Hold who won't get it on the NHS

Oly5 · 01/10/2017 17:41

*older child!

Oly5 · 01/10/2017 17:42

And *could kill them, not would! Stupid phone

RedBlu · 01/10/2017 17:44

Ah thanks. It is good that she is covered but I am really surprised by how much it costs to have done if you missed whatever the “cut off” was. However as someone else said, people spend £££ on prams, nursery furniture, clothing etc so in the grand scheme of things and for piece of mind, it’s not a lot to pay.

TalkinBoutWhat · 01/10/2017 17:51

I've just looked on this website and the children's and teenagers vaccines are for 2 entirely different menigitis strains.