Terrified of mmr vaccinations

[Rosiebelle17]

Hi
My twins are due mmr vaccinations in a few weeks and I’m terrified
They had bad reactions to previous vaccinations with very high temperatures and were sick for weeks
I’m crying writing this as I’m so scared
My doctor just fobbed me off
She was very rude

The 1yr vaccines include the third dose of MenB, hence the calpol.
MMR and MenB are different vaccines, and often are given on separate days

MMR and MenB are different vaccines, and often are given on separate days
Yes they are different injections but they are given at the same appointment. The appointment at 12-13 months is for 4 separate injections. And highly unusual to have them across separate appointments at a NHS surgery.

I have just shown info from the nhs website showing that 4 injections are given on the same day at 1year. It includes both MMR and MenB. We know they are different injections!

Stock up on paracetamol and ibuprofen. Make sure their room is cool and airy and their bedding isn't too heavy. Try to get some easy snacks and drinks in the fridge for you if they do feel under the weather and then, you grit your teeth and deal with it.

If you know one's temperature is rising despite giving a safe dose of both medicines, call 111. If one has a seizure, call 999.

NCT advice

And please think about taking a Paediatric First Aid course. It would help you feel less anxious, as you'd know what to do in the event of many things, rather than worry about what you might or should do.

It's definitely worth it, as whilst it's hard, it's still easier than coping with two babies with Measles at once.

OP, my experience was a long time ago so may not be as relevant. DD1 had it at 15 months old. It was November, she was at nursery 3.5 days per week and she had a permanent runny nose. It took her months to get over. She wasn't screaming or particularly upset, just unwell for ages and ages. So when it was DD2's turn, I asked the GP if I could delay it until the summer holidays when nursery was shut and I was no longer bringing germs home from school. DD2 had it in the July and after about 5 minutes, you would never know she had been vaccinated. She was around 15 months old.

So my advice would be to make sure your twins are as well as possible beforehand. Take industrial supplies of chocolate buttons and when they open their mouth to scream, shove one in (but not too hard!) Hopefully they will sail through it.

@Ilovecranberries

The 1yr vaccines include the third dose of MenB, hence the calpol. MMR and MenB are different vaccines, and often are given on separate days

Nope, wrong again, they're separate injections but given at the same appointment. www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/vaccinations-and-immunisations-baby/

I really think you should step away from this conversation dear, you're doing more harm than good, and you're making yourself look like a moron.

Rosiebelle17 I highly recommend doing a paediatric first aid course. I'm first aid trained anyway (including CPR on adults, children and babies) as I run a care home. However when my 5yo was born I did a paediatric first aid course. I did a refresher just before my now 10mo was born too. If face to face isn't possible there are so many online courses and even free videos. There are also charities which will provide this kind of training. I'm not saying this to be cruel, I'm saying it because it has help my anxiety so much.

Firstly, a paeds first aid course will do you the world of good to ease anxiety.
Secondly, use this energy to inform yourself even more about what to do in any situation.

Of course this is a nervous time for you, especially given past experience, but in the nicest way possible you’re just going to have to put your big girl pants on and get through it.

Stock up on snacks and food in case babies don’t want to be put down.
Make sure you have all the essentials so you don’t need to pop to the shops.
And asks friends to come over to watch babies whilst you shower or something

Do you read the "calpol" label every time? If it is pretty much the only medicine you have in the house? Sorry but to whoever wrote this and anyone who doesn't....please read the label every time. Why wouldn't you? One reason for doing so is that someone has said they mistook calprofen for calpol which could have very serious health consequences or even die! Another reason is the dosage changes depending on why it's being given and the patients age. Plus advice may have changed compared to the last time it was taken.

Safe handling of medications is terribly important.

Seriously if they had reactions for weeks after then it was not the vaccinations. You should have just gone to the doctor and said they had xyz symptoms and had them checked over.

@SeasonFinale

Unfortunately you’re wrong.
Vaccination reactions can suddenly appear over 1-2 weeks later.

What sort of reaction did they actually have OP? A raging temperature? The whole time? Was it actually diagnosed as a reaction to the vaccines? Could they have picked up a virus either at the surgery or elsewhere?
Can DH be around more for a bit if you’re worried?

@WaterOffADucksCrack

Do you read the "calpol" label every time? If it is pretty much the only medicine you have in the house? Sorry but to whoever wrote this and anyone who doesn't....please read the label every time. Why wouldn't you? One reason for doing so is that someone has said they mistook calprofen for calpol which could have very serious health consequences or even die! Another reason is the dosage changes depending on why it's being given and the patients age. Plus advice may have changed compared to the last time it was taken.

Safe handling of medications is terribly important.

The poster who said she didn't read the bottle is also the one who got mixed up - go figure.

Have you got a relative who could stay for a few days so you have some support? I get that you're anxious and that twins must be really hard at the best of times but they will be ill at some point & you will have to cope. The chances of them being seriously ill and being left with life changing, long term conditions are greatly increased by not vaccinating. I'm sorry your Dr didn't help but I expect that's down to exasperation with non-vaxers and having to deal with the consequences of their actions. Try and get some support to help you through this.

I really relate. My DD had bad reactions to her jabs and I put off MMR for a long time.
Unfortunately when I was persuaded to get after dd2 got measles. Dd1 had a further reaction which the drs told me is not uncommon
I can’t advise you, but all I will say is to go with your gut

Sorry wanted to add that in our case the reaction to mmr was worse than measles, which is fairly nasty too

my dd literally had an injection in both arms then said "next?" she was not bothered in the slightest for her mmr.

you need to try to put a brave face on as your reaction will feed theirs

@Grapewrath

Sorry wanted to add that in our case the reaction to mmr was worse than measles, which is fairly nasty too

The risk from measles is far, far higher than the perceived risk from any vaccinations. Your stress will be picked up by the babies. Relax. Accept it’s necessary. Dose them with No need to assume they’ll be screaming for weeks afterwards; they don’t. A bit grizzly for twenty four hours, perhaps. Time the vaccinations for when your husband is home.

‘The risk from measles is far, far higher than the perceived risk from any vaccinations’
I’m sure that’s true statistically, however not for us. My child who had measles was very unwell, similar to chicken pox. My other child was hospitalised after MMR. The risk is small, but it’s risk all the same so the OP is right to get all the information she can

Are you sure that their illness which lasted a whole month was definitely a reaction to the jab? That’s very unusual. Was it recorded as an adverse event to the vaccine? I’d personally wager that it was a horrid coincidence.

“Go with your gut”..... no. Go with science.

Go with your gut works when choosing a new kitchen colour. Or a handbag. Unless your gut is medically qualified and experienced in pharmacology please, go with the science.

@Rosiebelle17
ask to talk to a different GP

One of my children was sick as a dog for two weeks after their first MMR
even the GP was shocked
BUT
worked with me to realise that in that case any of the three diseases would have killed my child
AND
before the second one we talked through pain management and sleep management so that it was not so bad.

If your GP is unsupportive, talk to the nurse or an HV or your midwife or another GP
but
get support

@DappledThings

MMR and MenB are different vaccines, and often are given on separate days Yes they are different injections but they are given at the same appointment. The appointment at 12-13 months is for 4 separate injections. And highly unusual to have them across separate appointments at a NHS surgery.

Yes buts it’s feasible to make separate appointments - I did and no one turned a hair

LittleBearPad Feasible yes and I'm sure if you requested it then most surgeries would accommodate you although reluctantly. The PP said they were "often" given separately which implies it's the norm rather than only be exceptional request.

@Rosiebelle17
I forgot to say that my poorly little baby is now nearly 20 and built like a brick out house

Your fears are real
but the risks need to be proportionate