To get the single measels vaccine ?

[Thotnbg]

I live in Liverpool and have a six month old baby (who was 9 weeks prem )and a 5 year old DS .

I'm thinking of getting my baby the single vaccine tomorrow to tide him over until his one year jabs.

For those that don't know we have an influx of cases here and low vaccine take up.

Just wondering if I'm being unreasonable? Obviously he was prem so I do worry about him a bit more , but he's perfectly healthy .

The GP will only give the MMR , if he's been in contact with someone, unless public health england change the guidance.

So I'm going to to private for the meseals jab , and then he'll have the normal MMR when one .

He's not old enough this is the problem he's six months

Green Book, chapter 11 states MMR can be given in the event of a local outbreak from 6m. I’m not a prescriber, but if JCVI says it’s ok I’d maybe consider asking your GP again before opting for private route

You’re not being dramatic. Even few years ago, before the current outbreak, when my baby was 6 months old we were considering travelling to the UK and our doctor strongly recommended us giving the MMR to my baby.

I don't think you are being dramatic OP. My Dad caught measles as a toddler (pre vaccine days) and was very seriously ill. He recovered but has had life long deafness with hearing aids, and has never been able to go swimming as he can't get his ears wet. Every time he washes he has to take precautions with his ears. He is a very clever man but didn't do much with his schooling as he found it hard to hear/ follow the lessons. It's clearly playing on your mind, I'd say its worth paying for it for the peace of mind if you can.

Just one thing OP why are you willing to pay for a measles jab rather than MMR?

I know measles is your priority but if you can give your baby immunity for 3 diseases why wouldn't you?

Is it the cost?

Oh and while it is called a 'single' that refers to the disease not the number of jabs, both need two jabs.

I will give them a call again this morning I think thanks for this, as the NHS website also states the same .

@sashh no its not the cost , but he will still need the MMR vaccine at 1 and at at 18 months (so effectively he's going to have 3 vaccines ) . So ive just been focused on measels given he will need it all again anyway. But maybe I will just get the MMR.

Thank you everyone for not making me think I'm being dramatic. On reflection I can't believe we are in such a situation were so many parents are putting thier own children at risk by not vaccinating them .

I've seen certain anti vax people on social media and I cannot believe people listen to these random people, who are not medically trained or researchers its insane.

Of course you are not being dramatic. You are worried about the health of your baby, that is the most natural thing on the planet.

It's a shame that you have to think abut early immunisation.

Part of me thinks there should be cameras at Alder Hay filming the children who are ill.

I know that isn't practical and would breach lots of ethics but I think it is only after seeing how ill children can be that some people will take this seriously.

@Thotnbg Did you get your baby vaccinated? I’m in Liverpool too with a 10 month old who’s about to start nursery (who’ve just had one child off with measles) so I’m worried sick about it. Would love if I can get them vaccinated early to provide some form of immunity.

We can only give MMR early I.e. under 1 when we have been authorised to by UKHSA (which used to be called Public Health England).

GP practices have no authority to give until instructed by UKHSA as part of a local outbreak vaccine response strategy or unless travelling to or moving to live in a high prevalence country.

Response to MMR vaccine is suboptimal in under one’s due to maternal antibodies so not “counted” in dosing terms.

If you want your baby to have any vaccine early for measles protection I’d go for MMR rather than singles measles vaccine which would be an import and may not be safe or effective.