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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

The MMR jab

70 replies

blackcountrywench · 28/01/2010 03:31

AIBU to consider individual jabs instead of the single MMR? My DS is only 3 months old but dwelling on it already after scare stories from friends. I know research is stating that MMR is safe but is 3 huge doses of vaccine in one go worse than 3 separate jabs?

OP posts:
upandrunning · 28/01/2010 03:48

No, not unreasonable, but it's so personal. No one here can (or should) tell you what to do.

I don't think they're scare stories. There are lots of threads on this (we have our own special topic in health now )

Try looking at www.jabs.org.uk for an alternative view.

I think the GMC judgement on Wakefield is due today or tomorrow. I'll check.

upandrunning · 28/01/2010 03:49

ugh that word "special" is so patronising -- sorry I don't know why that popped up

upandrunning · 28/01/2010 03:51

Yes, it's today. So there should be coverage.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 28/01/2010 06:12

What upand said. Personal choice and freedom of choice. Just don't be all Tony Blair and refuse to say.

WidowWadman · 28/01/2010 06:44

Instead of looking at www.jabs.org.uk, you're better off doing a search for "MMMR" on www.badscience.net

upandrunning · 28/01/2010 06:52

Why not look at both? I'm sure you've got the Bad Science view from NHS direct and oh, a whole host of other sources.

Certainly I would advise a search for MMMR on Bad Science .

Bumbleconfusus · 28/01/2010 07:13

I think either way is fine, just as long as your DC gets vaccinated. I think one of the problems with some parents choosing the single vaccines is they don't end up remembering to get all the vaccines for the child, but if you do intend to then you are being completely reasonable.

LadyintheRadiator · 28/01/2010 07:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JollyPirate · 28/01/2010 07:36

There is some research to say that you stand a better chance of developing an immune respinse following the MMR rather than separate vaccines (will try to find a link to that)
As for the three doses in one go - I have never been convinced by that as your baby is exposed to 100s of antigens just in the process of birth rather than just three in the MMR.

It is a personal choice though and you have to go with what you feel is right. Research it on the websites mentioned and also be aware that currently the mumps component of the single vaccines is unavailable. Am sure someone will be along to correct me if that's incorrect now though. Mumps is generally a mild illness but was introduced as part of the childhood imms as it was the single biggest cause of viral menigitis prior to immunisation. Viral meningitis being milder often does not have the catastrophic effects that the bacterial one does but CAN leave long term if it occurs in very young children.

Parenthood is a nightmare sometimes and I went through the same concerns prior to MMR (6 years ago now) but in the end went with MMR and it was fine.

Seabright · 28/01/2010 09:04

Whatever you decide, please don't leave him unvaccinated. My DP had measles as a child, it was relatively mild but left him almost deaf and with very, very poor eyesight which can oly be corrected with special glasses.

He didn't have a particularly bad bout of measles, but still suffered these consequences, which can never be put right.

As JP says, mumps is generally mild but as well as viral meningitus, it can also cause infertility, I believe.

For what it's worth, my DD had her MMR jab last week, skwarked for a minute until the nurse popped a chocolate button in her mouth, then it was like nothing had happened (the healing power of chocolate should not be underestimated!). She had a little bruise, but was ottherwise 100% normal.

frasersmummy · 28/01/2010 09:09

one extra point to consider .. if you have single vaccines now .. then when your ds has his pre school booster he will need single vaccines then and he might not thank you for 3 instead of 1..

I know this is a very minor point but sometimes if you are 50/50 the little things can decide it

Chil1234 · 28/01/2010 10:11

It's unreasonable to listen to scare stories and it's unreasonable to talk about '3 huge doses'. Your baby will have lots of different vaccines in the next four years. Judge how she reacts to each at the time. Most children don't react at all or are fine after night-time dose of Calpol. Some children are quite poorly and get very high temperatures. If she was in the second bracket you might think it's better to have separate vaccines and deal with the after-effects one at a time. But if she is in the first bracket I would say she'll cope fine with the combined vaccine.

Whatever you do, you must get her vaccinated. Mumps, measles and rubella are all potentially serious illnesses and people who are victims of the 'scare stories', leaving their children unvaccinated are a menace to society and leaving the way open for epidemics.

chandellina · 28/01/2010 10:18

IMO, the only reason parents still feel uneasy about this and even consider single vaccines is because of the completely discredited Wakefield research.

LadyintheRadiator · 28/01/2010 10:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fimblehobbs · 28/01/2010 10:46

I decided to give my DC the licensed vaccination, so they had MMR.

I have two healthy children, some people aren't that lucky. I think having the MMR is important for herd immunity.

upandrunning · 28/01/2010 13:49

"completely discredited Wakefield research"

wrong: a. because it hasn't been discredited
b. because it's not true that's why people are still concerned.

GibbonInARibbon · 28/01/2010 13:53

I did singles and do not regret it at all.

Chil1234 · 28/01/2010 13:56

The Wakefield research has been discredited, the methods are being examined, the motives of the researcher are suspect, the Lancet says it shouldn't have been published and the doctor involved is up before the General Medical Council right now and facing being struck off....

Just because people a lot of people have the same misconception doesn't mean it has any credibility.

pagwatch · 28/01/2010 13:57

Do your research. Make the best most informed decision you can for you, your children and society.
This will not be the same choice for everyone.

Anyone who tells you that there is one right choice is a montrously arrogant twat so ignore them.

It is a hard choice but parenting is about hard things.

YABU to put a question re childrens health and safety in AIBU where it will just turn into a mob slag fest and people, from all sides will be upset.

Sassybeast · 28/01/2010 14:02

Upandrunning, if the GMC rules against Wakefield today will you still feel able to state that his research hasn't been discredited ?

frogetyfrog · 28/01/2010 14:06

Not all of us have opted for singles because of Wakefield. Some of us have genuinely had/seen immediate reactions in our dc from the MMR. Hence not given it to other children. Please dont generalise and make out we are ignorant.

upandrunning · 28/01/2010 14:07

Yes, absolutely. In fact it's been stated that the hearing is not making judgement on the quality of the research.

CantSupinate · 28/01/2010 14:07

YANBU to consider singles, I "considered" them too. Having researched the matter I happily opted for MMR, but I think the main thing is to make a properly informed decision. Unfortunately, there's a lot of hype and misinformation (both sides) to wade thru on this one.

ktbeau · 28/01/2010 14:08

BAD SCIENCE MMR info (lots of it) is (here

ktbeau · 28/01/2010 14:10

One of the main points he makes is that most chn who have separate vaccines end up not being fully protected because of the amount of appts needed for all the separate jabs. Logistically it is hard to arrange them all at the right times etc

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