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

[EmilyReallyKnowsHerStuff]

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 )

Your money. Your child. Your decision.

My son born Soet 2015 got it routinely but we paid at Boots for my daughter; born Sept 2013 to have it done as it just didn’t seem right one being vaccinated against it and one not.

What you choose to “waste” or rather spend your money on is no one’s business but your own.

I’d never forgive myself if my child died of something I could have prevented.

Both sets of Grandparents contributed to getting our children done. If you can find the money, why wouldn't you. Ask your friend why she is so against it. People are funny about vaccinations. Too much bad science out there 😀

I thought it was free when they are 12months old?

No I don’t think it’s a waste of money if you can afford it. I got my 2 done when that poor little girl died and had to haul them halfway across the country to a clinic that had stock.

I was one of those who thought that meningitis and septicaemia happened to other people's children. Until it happened to my son when he was two. No, it's not a waste of money, and I pray that your friend doesn't find out the hard way.

Sadly a 17 year old whom I knew several years ago died from Meningitis within a couple of days of contracting it. Another 2 year old was in hospital for 3 weeks and has suffered after-effects for the last twenty years.

She is a dick. I hope she never has to eat her words in knowing the pain of watching your child fight meningitis. My DD had meningitis at 6 weeks old and the main lesson I learned as I sat next to her hospital cot was that if my child ever suffered as a result of an illness I could have tried to protect them from through vaccination, I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

Vaccinations save lives.

Oh, DD is fine now by the way!! We were incredibly lucky xx

I would pay for my daughter to get this vaccine, even though that is a significant sum for me.

On a side note, I think it's rude to comment, especially in such a patronising fashion, on how a casual friend spends their money.

My cousin lost her little girl to this, a friend's daughter survived (just) but has been left severely disabled. If you can afford it, do it.
The risk may be low but it's not worth taking.

If she is only two should she have been done on the NHS? My daughter is 2 and she was vaccinated when she had her jabs as a newborn

DN almost died of it so we did DD first chance we got. Yes it is a lot of money, yes we were lucky we could afford it (or could prioritise it over other things). But a waste of money to protect your child from something that kills? Seriously? We all like to think it will never happen to us - but it's going to happen to someone. I feel fortunate that we were able to do it tbh

I have lost 2 friends in their teens to men B. The disease is truly horrible. We vaccinated both our kids, 6 &8 at the time. Don't regret it. I remember our teacher telling us that one of the friends was so poorly it was better that he had died in the end. Its a personal choice if you can afford it, your daughter - not your friends.

I've vaccinated my DD5 against chicken pox and MenB neither of which were available routinely. Yes, it's expensive but I couldn't live with myself if she contracted something I could have prevented (I am a Dr and have seen the effects first hand on adults & children). Nobody's business but yours, could your friend be jealous?

Totally worth every penny x

2 teens recently died of Men B here.

How is protecting your child from a dangerous and potentially fatal illness a “monumental waste of money.”’I’m guessing your “friend” can’t afford the vaccine )and nothing wrong with that) but is trying to make you feel bad about your decision because you can.

We had DD vaccinated last year and cost considerably more than £90 - not a stealth boast it was at the height of the hysteria about it - and worth every penny.

LookingForMaryPoppins

They only began the routine vaccination for Meb B for babies born from July 2015 so if she could have just missed out by months.

My son was born Sept 2015 so got it done routinely but if it hadn't been, I 100% would have scrimped and saved to get it done privately.

I couldn't have forgiven myself if something had happened and knowing there was a vaccinne.

I paid for both our children to be vaccinated as they weren't covered under the government scheme. We went without a UK summer holiday to pay for it - but that was our choice. I wouldn't force my opinion on anyone else nor would I expect them to have a go at me because of my choice. Personally, it is a chance I didn't want to take - but that's just me.

£220 for your own peace of mind? A bargain.

£35 sounds very very cheap. Is that definitely the men b vaccine??

That question was to Merkava

£110 for peace of mind? just do it.