Page 9 | I don’t want the MMR!

Lemons1571 · 2020-10-03T09:14:36+00:00

Twice now at my GP surgery they’re said I need two doses as a catch up, and the diseases are nasty so I should do this. Apparently it’s because my generation weren’t vaccinated against MM and R “back then”. I’m 46, born in 1974. I am pro vaccines but a bit confused. I had the measles vaccine back in 1970-something, as I remember my mother saying I had a reaction and was quite poorly. I have rubella antibodies (identified through routine antenatal testing). So I presume it’s only the mumps immunity that’s missing. Even weirder, apparently once I’m 50 it’s no longer a recommendation, as you’re deemed to be ok / have enough immunity if you get to 50 without being ill from measles mumps or rubella. So in 3 and a half years I won’t need it any more? Am totally confused. Am not really keen on vaccination to tick a box. Has anyone else gone ahead with this? Is it really necessary? I wfh so I don’t even come into contact with many people. GP says it’s important especially in “these times”

everybodysang · 08/10/2020 09:37

this is really interesting, I had no idea there was a push for boosting the MMR. I had mumps and rubella as a child (before I had the MMR).

Then, at age 23, I got measles. And then, age 24, mumps AGAIN. Mumps was mild (because I'd had it before, I guess; I think it's quite unusual to have it twice). But measles was terrible and left me with some mild but permanent damage to my hearing and sight.

I'd have it if you can. Measles is just horrible.

ancientgran · 08/10/2020 09:44

I've had shingles 3 times, it is horrible. I have no idea why I seem prone to it, the first time I had it I was a teenager and was told that was unusual. I've had it in my mouth and was told that was unusual. I had chickenpox at 3 I think, my mother said I had a bad outbreak so I don't know if that makes it more likely that I'd get shingles.

dementedpixie · 08/10/2020 09:49

You can only get shingles if you've had chicken pox in the past. Shingles can flare up if you're stressed, if you've got low immunity or just for no reason

Melroses · 08/10/2020 10:48

@ancientgran

I've had shingles 3 times, it is horrible. I have no idea why I seem prone to it, the first time I had it I was a teenager and was told that was unusual. I've had it in my mouth and was told that was unusual. I had chickenpox at 3 I think, my mother said I had a bad outbreak so I don't know if that makes it more likely that I'd get shingles.

That sounds horrible.

I had chicken pox at the same time as measles when I was 4, then shingles as a teenager when the rest of the school was down with chicken pox.

I don't fancy shingles again.

CountFosco · 08/10/2020 11:59

I don’t like the thought of over vaccinating

Can you talk through the issues you think are associated with over vaccination? How many vaccinations in what time period do you consider to be over vaccination?

It's a nonsense concept. You have trillions of viruses and bacteria and fungi in your body (as many microbes as human cells in your body). There is a constant battle between your immune system and the adventious microbes. The idea that a exposing a healthy immune system to a extra three dead or attenuated viruses or virus particles will somehow be bad for it (in an undefined way) is just scaremongering.

TheNoodlesIncident · 08/10/2020 13:24

I wasn't aware there had been any sort of outbreak of mumps. I was born in 1970 so only had the measles jab and then rubella at secondary. I'm really sure I haven't had mumps (only had flu and chicken pox, both those were bad enough), so if I am offered the MMR I'll be whipping my top off before they've got the question out . There's no downside that I can see, and if it helps stop mumps becoming a big thing again I'm all for that.

Being a similar age with this background I wouldn't be vaccinating myself unnecessarily in your scenario and I say that as someone who's immunocompromised and a shielder. It's not your responsibility to protect me! Actually, I view it as very much my responsibility. My mum and her partner are extremely vulnerable and I do think it incumbent on those who can to help protect those can't, you included... Why not? it's one of the two reasons why we get vaccinations in the first place.

110APiccadilly · 08/10/2020 13:30

I know of a university where there was a mumps outbreak in February. Happens every so often - MMR isn't completely effective against mumps and also the current cohort of students are the ones where MMR rates dropped after Wakefield.

SoloMummy · 08/10/2020 13:40

@TheNoodlesIncident

I wasn't aware there had been any sort of outbreak of mumps. I was born in 1970 so only had the measles jab and then rubella at secondary. I'm really sure I haven't had mumps (only had flu and chicken pox, both those were bad enough), so if I am offered the MMR I'll be whipping my top off before they've got the question out

. There's no downside that I can see, and if it helps stop mumps becoming a big thing again I'm all for that.

Being a similar age with this background I wouldn't be vaccinating myself unnecessarily in your scenario and I say that as someone who's immunocompromised and a shielder. It's not your responsibility to protect me! Actually, I view it as very much my responsibility. My mum and her partner are extremely vulnerable and I do think it incumbent on those who can to help protect those can't, you included... Why not? it's one of the two reasons why we get vaccinations in the first place.

That maybe why you get vaccinations, but I can assure you that putting metals and chemicals in me or my child would only happen for our benefit!

I accept We've as a society benefited from herd immunity and eradication of diseases, but it's not on us singularly to do so for the benefit of others.

I have the flu vaccination because of the benefits to me. If it didn't I wouldn't have it. Likewise I would not if approached have the mmr when it offers no tangible benefits to me.

AnnoyedByAlfieBear · 08/10/2020 13:43

I went for a smear test earlier this week and the nurse sprang MMR on me. I saw a bit baffled but said yes. Now I have to go back in four weeks for the booster. I feel like a toddler!

Cheetosforbreakfast · 08/10/2020 14:08

I’d ask for an immunity test.

CountFosco · 08/10/2020 18:00

I think that the anti-vaxxers on here would benefit from reading this from the (very prestigious) science journal Science.

Gwenhwyfar · 08/10/2020 18:35

"The idea that a exposing a healthy immune system to a extra three dead or attenuated viruses or virus particles will somehow be bad for it (in an undefined way) is just scaremongering."

But having a vaccination you don't need is a waste of time and money and might be uncomfortable or hurt. I'm no anti-vaccer, but I wouldn't have a vaccine I'd already had before, or for an illness I'd already had, unless there was a good reason/need.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 08/10/2020 18:56

@AnnoyedByAlfieBear

I went for a smear test earlier this week and the nurse sprang MMR on me. I saw a bit baffled but said yes. Now I have to go back in four weeks for the booster. I feel like a toddler!

Thankfully the nurse didn't ask me, I'd have probably passed out at the thought of the injection!

MartiniDry · 08/10/2020 19:18

On a lighthearted note, a while ago I registered for online services with my GPs surgery. Some of my electronic records were viewable so out of curiosity I took a look.

A chart appeared in front of me. Each section had the name of a vaccination and below it "Date of next or follow up vaccination". Below each of these, with one exception, was the date.

My date of birth.
Including the year, 1964.
The exception was a vaccination which I was due to have in January.

January 1965, that is.

I'm disappointed. I asked politely but apparently my GP is unable to prescribe me a Delorean so that I can comply with the schedule.