to be cross my ds has measles because other parents didn't vaccinate their children

[snickersnack]

He's 11 months old, poor little thing . Fortunately he's going to be ok - he got off quite lightly, I think - but it was scary and he was really poorly for a day or so. Spent 10 hours in A&E yesterday while he had chest x-rays, blood tests, IV fluids etc. Now we're just waiting to see if his sister,who's 2, gets it - she's had one dose of MMR already so fingers crossed she's immune.

We live in an area where immunisation rates are among the lowest in the country. Now I have to go and tell all parents of the other babies he's met recently that their children might be at risk as well...

YANBU - I would be cross and worried too. Good to hear your ds is on the mend though. My dd3 is 11 mths as well and I am anxious about measles. I know the first dose of MMR isn't an absolute protection - but I will be so glad when she's had that.

if you've had measles before, artichokes, you can't get it again.

Actually the MMR is not effective enough to provide herd immunity even if 100% of children are immunised. Sorry about your baby, but these things just happen.

Fortunately for him, now he will be immune for life and won't have to get the MMR.

Thanks Expat .

Just as people choose to vaccinate their children, some don't. There are times when you have to make the decision to do what is best for your child, maybe a selfish view, but a view none the less.

It is the way of the world and I believe in choice.

How do you know that your baby didn't catch measles from a vaccinated child? Vaccines are not 100% effective and some people respond better than others.

Sorry you had a scare and glad to hear that your little one is OK but this issue is not clear cut.

My DD1 caught rubella from a recently vaccinated child (virus shedding), I was pregnant at the time with DD2 but luckily am immune.

see, I feel like this about dog shit. There's a child in my ds's school whose eyesight was irreversibly damaged by toxoplasmosis. If we banned domestic dog ownership, allowing perhaps just guide/helper dogs, this risk would be dramatically reduced. And owning a dog is a luxury really, it doesn't begin to compare to the reasons some parents feel unable to vaccinate their children.

Yet people remain stubbornly defensive of their right to own a dog and walk it on public streets, beaches and parks (and even if you scoop the poop there's still residue/runny poo etc). Selfish sods

mmm, and it's a coincidence that the biggest measles outbreak in the country happened to be in an area with the lowest levels of vaccination? I don't think so.

FAQ, sorry not clear, I meant that maybe nurseries should expect kids to be up to date with their immunisations as far as possible? Just thinking out loud, as it were.

This is interesting:

www.immunisation.nhs.uk/About_Immunisation/Science/Factors_affecting_herd_imm unity-Howinfectiousthediseaseis

yes, it is your choice but I am more angry at those parents rushing their children to be immunised as soon as there is a definite risk to them (any supposed risk to other vulnerable groups presumably OK)

Could be wrong but I think some schools in the States won't let kids in without their vaccines, not necessarily advocating enforced vaccinations, but it's not something to be taken lightly as it can impact on other people - understand in Greensleeves case, but there's not always a reason - dc1 had the single vaccine 10+ years ago and dc2 will have the mmr, just hope he gets it in time!

Chicken pox is one I find interesting, both my parents have suffered the devastating consequences of Bell's Palsy and Pa suffered from shingles, nearly hospitalised, cos someone took their spotty kid on a bus they were travelling on. Dad can't play music now as part of his face is permanently paralysed and Ma isn't in very much better shape - she couldn't swallow properly for many years and it really aged her. People just don't think about others in SOME cases.

Keep your spotty kids at home!

Childhood viruses are potentially very serious. I became deaf in one ear from mumps when I was 22, and i still remember measles at 9, though I'm now a grandmother. my own kids had all the vaccines they were allowed (my son couldn't have whooping cough because of fits). I don't think young people realise the dangers because they have grown up with immunity

no you're not being unreasonable

we live in a community etc etc

yes its true that babies should not be at risk if bf. Sadly, most babies aren't bf.

Its a dangerous diesase, I think we forget how awful it was. Did roald dahl not lose both his sister and his daughter to it?

Where are you Greebsleeves?

why?

www.immunisation.nhs.uk/About_Immunisation/Science/Factors_affecting_herd_immunity_-How_infectious thediseaseis

where are you? we are waiting for our appointment for the single jab, and am scared!

most schools in the US won't take a child who has not been immunised unless they have a medical dispensation for not doing so.

that includes private nurseries and fee-paying schools.

if you don't want to immunise your children, that's fine, but there are consequences to that.

a few countries will not allow people to settle there without being vaccinated.

My daughter hasnt had the MMr yet she is 21 months

why?? because we have moved house and until they get her records no one will do it !! hopefully she should be able to get it done next week but sometimes it isnt through choice it doesnt get done

Also, babies are not automatically immune to diseases the mother has had because the mother is breastfeeding. It does provide some immunity to some children but not necessarily all.

expat are they fussy whether it's single vaccines or the MMR???

Dear FAQ

I know that kennels and catteries won't take animals without their vaccination certificates. Surely baby nurseries and creches shouldn't miss out this basic precaution!

EffiePerine there are measles outbreaks all the time. It suits the government at the moment to blame lower MMR uptake.

In the light of the recent Autism/MMR concession in the US (Poling case) and the way the Wakefield GMC case is playing out, I think if anyone is to blame it is the government for not offering single vaccinations.