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Behaviour/development

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Original poster

Baby immunisations - what do you think?

29 replies

joorla · 17/10/2006 10:10

My dd is due to have her 12 week immunisations next week (already had her 8 week ones).

My MIL and SIL are both trying to put me off her having these jabs as they both think she is too young, my MIL says that when her 6 kids were immunised they were 6 months+.

My SIL who's DD is 5 days younger than my DD is refusing to have the immunisations at all after researching the side effects on the internet.

I wondered if anyone had any advice, I know at the end of the day it's down to me to decide but just wondered if my MIL and SIL seem to be over cautios.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

bluejelly · 17/10/2006 10:12

Def over-cautious if you ask me. Jabs are vital to protect your child and others. I would follow the NHS on this one. Good luck

mamijacacalys · 17/10/2006 10:44

Agree with bluejelly.

There is no way I could cope if a one of mine got meningitis, measles or any of the other diseases. It's bad enough when they just get a cold!

There are more and more outbreaks now due to the lower take up, so children who have not been immunised are at a greater risk than, say, 10 or 15 years ago, when the majority of the population were immune. I have read the science and to me it is a no brainer, stacking up vastly in favour of immunisations.

amyjade · 17/10/2006 10:45

Over cautious i think !

I'm sure immunisations have changed and are much safer now since your MIL had young children !!

Has your SIL researched on the internet what happens if your child contracts one of these diseases such as meningitis?

Hope you come to the right decision.

PanicPants · 17/10/2006 10:47

Ds has had all of his, including mmr, and he's absolutely fine.

How would you feel if your lo contracted one of the diseases you didn't get her immunised against?

Besides if she's had her 8 week ones, then you must continue the course otherwise they won't be as effective.

lazymummy · 17/10/2006 10:53

I do think you should discuss any concerns you have with your GP or HV. Your MIL and SIL are entitled to their opinion but you're right, this is your decision. I don't know what the vaccination programme for children was when your MIL was a younger woman and had kids but I expect it was vastly different to today and therefore it is somewhat unfair for her to use her experience as a yardstick for you.

Original poster

joorla · 17/10/2006 10:59

You've all really confirmed what I thought, I just wanted other opinions really. At least when they start 'ganging-up' to me over the Sunday dinner table I can now go armed with some other opinions!!

Thanks for the advice.

OP posts:

Socci · 17/10/2006 11:06

Message withdrawn

aviatrixortreat · 17/10/2006 11:10

This reply has been deleted

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Veggiemummy · 17/10/2006 11:20

hi Joorla,

i'm a paediatric nurse with a 14mo DS. I can assure you all the immunisation used today have been thoroughly research and tested and are there for the benefit of our kids. Our bodies and the bodies of our babies are stronger than people realise. They were litteraly born to make antibodies and all immunisations do is give them a safe way to do that. it gives them a dead safe form of the protein coating of the disease to use to make some antibodies so if they ever come into contact with the disease their bodies will sort it out straight away.

our babies bodies come into contact with thousands of bugs and badies everyday, even with us sterilizing everything, so 3-5 diseases being introduced in a safe dead form in one go is really nothing.

your baby may be a little tired and snotty following the jabs, this is simply the immune system doing its work. if your concerned you can give some calpol but you don't have to.

lastly, we have a responsibility to the immune suppressed children in our communities to ensure we reduce the incidence of these diseases in our society. Measles was on track to be irradicated by 2007 until all the problems with MMR uptake came about.

in the end you need to get all the information you can and make your own decision, and whatever that is you must be happy with it and not be made to feel guilty or a bad mother.

GooseyLoosey · 17/10/2006 11:22

Agree with the others - have you looked at the internet as to what the side effects of measles are and the (much higher than you might think) mortality rate. There may be risks associated with these immunisations but they need to be balanced against the demonstrable dangers of the diseases they protect against.

Having said all of that, you have to do what seems best for you and your child and reach a decision you are sure you can live with. Let us know what you decide.

Socci · 17/10/2006 11:25

Message withdrawn

Flamebat · 17/10/2006 11:34

I'm with socci on this... I do vax, but I delay it until I feel they are ready for it. Yes, they are designed to make these antibodies, but imo in a rl situation they would most probably NOT be subjected to 5 or 6 illnesses in one go, even in a mild form.

I delay them, and I make the gaps between the jabs bigger so that they have the chance to be stronger in between. Both of my children have bad reactions to jabs (not long term, but longer than the 24-48 hours normally quoted). DS was ill for over a week with each of his 5/6 or whatever they are now ones, and I am glad that I delayed them.

It may not be the "right" thing, but it is what I feel I should do. The same will happen with MMR - he will have it, but closer to 2yrs old.

DetentionGrrrl · 17/10/2006 11:36

Could the reason be that more little ones are with nurseries and childminders at a young age now, as more mothers go back to work? I'd assume the more children and adults a little one encounters, the more exposed they are to diseases.

Socci · 17/10/2006 11:40

Message withdrawn

misdee · 17/10/2006 11:45

dd2+ had their jabs late. dd3 is having her 3rd lot of baby jabs tomorrow. she will have her mmr before xmas.

mosschops30 · 17/10/2006 11:52

Research on the internet is a very dodgy thing unless you are looking at academic research papers, even then it is open to interpretation so your SIL is probably reading a pile of pants.

We are lucky in this country to be able to protect our children against childhood diseases, so take the opportunity if you want to

Socci · 17/10/2006 11:55

Message withdrawn

Veggiemummy · 17/10/2006 11:58

unfortunately i dont have the research on age appropriateness but i could ask a collegue for it.

In france a single measles vaccine was introduced at 1 month followed by the MMR from 13months (contrary to popular belief that France gives all single vaccines). This was due to the incidence of babies contracting the disease and unfortunately in some cases being left seriously disabled as a result.

As i have said vaccines are not the disease they are the protein coating which the bodies immune system uses to make antibodies. a disease also fights the body causing sickness and stress to the body. this the bit the vaccine doesn't have so in that event it's not like giving the body several diseases.

again i stress find the information you need from both sides of the argument. But if you are going to use research, read the research not just the findings, often research findings are quoted (from both sides of the arguement) and when you read the or has not been carried out properly (or in some cases like the Wakefield report ethically).

having said all that i would say that the mums who post info against jabs wold probably know more about it than your MIL so listen to what they say for the other side of the arguement also contact JABS if you want more on anti immunisation. they don't use sensational information and have balanced information.

Socci · 17/10/2006 12:03

Message withdrawn

rebelmum1 · 17/10/2006 12:11

It's a minefield, information is generally completely for or completely against. I have read and think I know more about vaccinations now than most other subjects and still think there is no simple answer. It was an agonising decision. Only you can decide what is best for your child but its important to make an informed choice. Don't be bullied it's a very important decision. There are possible downsides and side effects but you have to weigh this up against the risks of the disease. There are reputable single vaccination clinics if you are concerned about rolling them all up.

Sources I found useful are:
www.wddty.com (see Lynne McTaggarts Vaccination Bible)
www.informedparent.co.uk
www.jabs.co.uk (slightly over emotional parents - so take with a pinch of salt)

Veggiemummy · 17/10/2006 12:18

i have to say if she is already interferring at this age you have a lifetime of it ahead, i think if you had decided before what you wanted to do stick to it and leave her to boss her own daughter around. She say all she wants but control of your child life is for now up to you.

rebelmum1 · 17/10/2006 12:21

Is there a vaccination against interfering MIL's you can put me down for that one ..

amyjade · 17/10/2006 12:40

I can't even look at the 'JABS' website especially the info on Prevenar it makes my blood boil to read comments like this vaccine is 'contraversial and innaffective ![ANGRY]
My 19 month old Dd would still be alive if she had been vaccinated how dare someone say it's innaffective !!!
Sorry having a bad time at the moment and reading articles from mindless people isn't helping. i'm keeping away from these websites.

rebelmum1 · 17/10/2006 13:01

I'd like to express my deepest sympathies. My thoughts are with you.

Veggiemummy · 17/10/2006 13:08

i'm sorry i didn't mean to upset you i hadn't read the jabs website recently ididnt realise is had become so inflamatory it used to be balanced. I am only grateful this vac is now available, i'm sorry it came to late for your baby. It makes me realise how lucky we are and how we take things like vaccinations for granted. One day tragedies such as yours won't exist just as sufferers of polio and small pox are now almost unheard of. again i'm very sorry.

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