First Jabs | Mumsnet

MrsRV · 2012-05-14T09:10:37+00:00

Anyone else really struggling with whether to let LO have first jabs? Fear I've read too much and don't know what to do for the best....

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

ICompletelyKnowAboutGuineaPigs · 14/05/2012 13:00

Hi.

Not going through this now but have been through it with both my LOs. My DS now 5.5yo has had no immunisations at all and my DD (2yo) has had all except MMR.

I don't know what your reservations are but mine were based on potential links between MMR and autism alongside the fact that the vaccination programme in our country is huge and I think this is overwhelming for a brand new immune system.

Well my unvaccinated son is just going through the process of being diagnosed for Asberger's Syndrome. If he had had his jabs I may have put it down to them, but he hasn't and this has made me re-think about all the anecdotal evidence I have read about the connections between MMR and ASD. Maybe those children already existed on the autistic spectrum but it had yet to be expressed?

I was reticent about my dd having the jabs but my dp really wanted her to have them and so we compromised. She responded fine to them. I think I may get ds vaccinated now.

Not sure that helps but feel secure that any decision you make now you have done so in the best interest of your child, regardless of what happens in the future.

Herrena · 14/05/2012 13:10

I just wanted to emphasise that the study linking autism to MMR has now been widely discredited, so please take that into consideration.

Otherwise.... my DS had all the jabs, since it is my belief that they have a far greater potential to help than to harm. He wailed for 2-3 minutes initially, then slept a fair bit after each lot (12 weeks and 16 weeks, for a few days each time) but I viewed that as a wonderful bonus more than anything else!!

His TB jab was administered 2 hrs post-birth and I admit that it did look a bit alarming - the jab site swelled up with pus 'til it stood clear of his skin by 1cm and then exploded one day a few months later. Gross but at least it indicates that he had a definite immune response to the BCG and so will be able to defend himself that bit better if he's exposed to TB.

Obviously I'm biased but you have right to choose whatever you think is best for your baby. I've heard of kindly nurses letting you breastfeed through the procedure so baby doesn't get as upset, if that helps :)

BoysBoysBoysAndMe · 14/05/2012 13:46

A lot of the info regarding the link between mmr and autism has been widely discredited.

From someone who had a very poorly two year old at one point I can tell you, if there was a jab to have prevented him getting I'll I would have bitten the dr's arm off for it.

It is horrendous to watch your child being so poorly and there is nothing you can do.

My advice would be to jab, jab and jab again.

Not worth the risk IMO.

Original poster

MrsRV · 14/05/2012 14:07

Thanks ladies, your input has been helpful. my reservations aren't due to the 'stabbing of my baby with a big needle'! Although admittedly this wouldn't be very pleasant. My reservations are due to a number of things really:-

Vaccination isn't an absolute immunity and don't always work.
Vaccine damage i.e. Links with autism, epilepsy, brain damage, fits, other complications and side effects. I appreciate autism/MMR has been discredited.
Most of diseases have been wiped out already due to widespread vaccination and improved sanitisation. I will not vaccinate my child on basis of "doing my bit for community" however selfish that may make me.
If my child contracted a disease, it would be one disease at one time and my Childs immune system may fight it off successfully.

Also, if I vaccinate and there Is a long term effect I'll never forgive myself... If I don't vaccinate and my child contracts an illness and doesn't manage to fight it off and it's leads to other things, then at least I haven't actively and directly done anything to make this happen???

However, every baby I have ever known has had jabs and has been fine.... And both hubby and I were vaccinated and we're both fine... And our genes have passed to bab!?!

This parenting business comes with some tough decisions doesn't it!?!?!

OP posts:

DialMforMummy · 14/05/2012 14:39

History proved the vaccinations saved lives. We are very lucky to have them for free.
I am no medic but truly believe that the potential vaccine damage is outweighed by the benefits on vaccinations. Like you I don't know anyone who has been damaged by vaccines.
It's a no brainer to me.

debka · 14/05/2012 14:42

Agree with DialM. No brainer. Vaccination saves lives.

ripsishere · 14/05/2012 14:54

My DD had measles, TB, Hep B and polio immediately after she was born. She went on to have all the Brit vax along with rabies, Hep A, Japanese encephalitis, typhoid, tetanus and several others.
We were living in countries where these diseases were rife so it was a no brainer for me.
She is currently doing her SATS and has a spelling age of 14.7.

Herrena · 14/05/2012 22:22

'If I don't vaccinate and my child contracts an illness and doesn't manage to fight it off and it's leads to other things, then at least I haven't actively and directly done anything to make this happen???'

Well, personally I'd think that you'd actively and directly refrained from giving your child potentially life-saving treatment... sorry but I don't agree with your line of reasoning there.

Your child may indeed contract these diseases one at a time and fight them off successfully; alternatively, they may not fight them off that successfully and it could be a gruelling time for you all.

Personally I'm happy with the (very small) risks associated with vaccination and would take them over the far more nebulous risks of the 'wait-and-see' approach anyday.

As I said, I'm very biased :)

MrsApplepants · 14/05/2012 22:45

My daughter had all her baby jabs. However, 6 months after having MMR, she caught measles (clearly she was one of the very few cases where the vaccine didn't work) she was hospitalised with complications but luckily made a full recovery with no lasting effects (thus far) Having seen first hand just how ill this disease can make a child, jabs are a no brainer IMO, even though we were unlucky that MMR didnt give her the protection we had hoped. Will she be having jabs in future? - absolutely.

MoonlightandRoses · 14/05/2012 23:20

Also, if I vaccinate and there Is a long term effect I'll never forgive myself... If I don't vaccinate and my child contracts an illness and doesn't manage to fight it off and it's leads to other things, then at least I haven't actively and directly done anything to make this happen???

Unfortunately, yes, you would have - you could have prevented the illness and complications (severe brain damage for instance) by getting the vaccinations.
The likelihood of serious complication from the actual illness is far higher than that of serious complication from the vaccination.
How would you feel if, as a result of the non-vaccination, your child got whooping cough (for e.g.) and then came into contact with a pregnant family member whose baby ended up severely disabled as a result?

Original poster

MrsRV · 15/05/2012 10:22

Thanks for all the input, I think we're going to go for the jabs having weighed up the risks.

OP posts:

Flisspaps · 15/05/2012 10:25

No reservations with DD, DS will have his when he's old enough.

Original poster

MrsRV · 15/05/2012 11:11

I've just seen that a young girl has died of TB... There goes my theory of it being mostly wiped out! I'm seeing it as a sign to get my DD vaccinated.

OP posts:

Bumpsadaisie · 15/05/2012 11:16

If you feel twitchy about them having jabs just imagine them lying in hospital with measles etc. No one likes taking them for jabs but it needs doing. Not only for your child but for all children.

The links with autism are very much discredited now.

debka · 15/05/2012 13:18

Glad to hear you're having them done :)

I have a friend who contracted TB whilst in Russia- and then passed it on to his 3yo son. They have both been in hospital for almost a year. Not worth messing around with.

Herrena · 15/05/2012 13:34

Yay!

OP, I'm sure that the approval of a total stranger doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things, but reading your last post has made me happy :)

Just to warn you, babies do squeal a bit when it happens! Better that than a stay in hospital though.

Herrena · 15/05/2012 13:35

I should clarify that I'm happy about the OP's decision and not the other bit! Oops :(

Original poster

MrsRV · 15/05/2012 15:59

It's ok, I'll take the gag and duct tape

OP posts:

HardCheese · 15/05/2012 19:17

I think you've made the right decision, OP.
To hijack for a moment, my six-week-old has his BCG tomorrow morning - any advice for minimising the unpleasantness for him, and for dealing with any side-effects afterwards? Thank you!

MoonlightandRoses · 15/05/2012 20:24

Really glad you're getting them done .

HardCheese - just be prepared to hold him tight into you (they should show you how), and maybe have some milk ready for immediately afterwards.
Had a v.good doctor when small child had it, screamed for maybe 15 seconds, was distracted with hug and milk and was sweetness and light again very shortly after.
In fact, you're probably more likely to be the upset one...

Herrena · 15/05/2012 23:34

hardcheese see my comments above about the after-effects of my son's BCG! He had it when just a couple of hours old, so I don't remember him crying still in post-birth haze

moonlight is right, you'll be more upset than he is!

HardCheese · 16/05/2012 14:11

Thanks, Moonlight and Herrena - he was a little prince throughout the entire 6-week check (and I was more upset), though quite grizzly since. The GP said that the BCG would only cause some blistering of the spot itself immediately, and that any fractiousness etc would come six or seven days later, but he's been pretty out of sorts, the poor little mite...

MoonlightandRoses · 16/05/2012 15:11

Oh dear - poor thing. The out of sorts bit might be you projecting though, IYSWIM. Good excuse for extra cuddles.

HuggyPomBear · 18/05/2012 16:25

My DD is 19months and has not been offered the BCG. I believe it's offered in higher risk areas but I am not sure .

My uncle was left deaf by measles. My other uncle contracted a horrendous infection that the pnuemoccal vaccine would have prevented. He had to be nursed 24/7 for weeks. It's one of those vaccines we don't think about too much.

Ronald Dahl's daughter died of measles.

Just 3 examples that have helped convince me to have DD vaccinated.

Good decision OP