single mumps

[monkey36]

My son is now 12 years old. In 2000, you will no doubt recall that things kicked off with the MMR controversy - so we elected to have singles. All was well and fine - until the mumps single (mumpsvax) went out of production. DS has had singles x 2 for all of the diseases/ illnesses except mumps for which he has just had one jab. Not sure what to do. Mumps is the one which can be a risk to boys/men's fertility. Will I really have to concede defeat and give him the MMR? Has anyone in this prediccament resolved this otherwise ? How does the blood test work ? Does anyone know whether they will make the single mumpvax again ? Really anxious as my DS is fast approaching puberty.

There is a lot of discussion about this over on the vaccination board if you want to pop over. I think most people in your situation have opted for the blood test. He may still be protected from the vaccine or he may have had mumps mildly ( over 1/3 cases are asymptomatic) so he may be immune.. If it offers you any reassurance the HPA have stated that despite popular belief there is no firm evidence that mumps causes sterility.

Thank you so much - this is really helpful. I was beginning to lose direction .

bumblymummy - would DS have to have annual blood tests to check on continued immunity ?

Hi monkey - the test would only tell you if he was immune now and couldn't predict how long that immunity would last for but then that would be the same if he'd had the MMR and no one bothers with annual blood tests for that afaik. It would be up to you and him to decide how often you would want to check.

Thanks for that B- you've been so helpful - really. Will look into getting a blood test done. Like you say - no one checks for continued immunity with the MMR.

I thought I would update mums out there in a similar situation. In the end, I decided that I would let my son have the MMR booster. I spoke to a number of doctors and felt that in the end I could not live with myself if he contracted mumps with all the complications especially for boys. He had the jab a week ago and seems absolutely fine. The nurse did say he may get a rash and fever 5-10 days later - which would indicate that he did not have immunity. Either way, he has protection now. I had measles at 12 and was hospitalised - it was not something I would like to go through if there is away to avoid it. Still I am still angry that I was forced down the MMR route. I was prepared to vaccinate with the singles and pay for it - but the last mumps single was not possible because it is not available anymore.

Further update - returned from holidays. DS did not have any fever or rash - which seems to suggest he was already immune! Ah well - just glad I made a decision in the end and to know he has some protection. Did not fancy the blood test route to be honest, esp as it was not gong to be definitive.

The immunity you are seeing, NOT seeing that is, is the reaction to the measles side of the vaccine. That occurs 7-10 days, rash and fever. So he was immune from his singles to measles. The rubella does nothing reaction wise to children. The mumps reaction is around 2-3 months and very minor usually.

Actually mumps vaccine should be given to children your DSs age or older as a booster as there has been a vast increase in adolescents and teenagers recently, especially in further education settings. And yes, it is very nasty in older people.

Thanks for that Sneezecakesmama