Alternatives to MMR - what are my options?

[DrowningInOrangeGoo]

OK, so without wanting to cause a bunfight on the subject of MMR I feel that I would like to avoid it for my twins, but I still want to vaccinate them. What are my options and how do I go about this?

Yes, I'm not interested in a bun fight either. I reccommend "mmr, understand your choices" by Will and Lara sussman, published by winter press. Then I decided to simply delay the vaccine until 2 years old.

Thank you Twonker, will have a gander at Amazon.

I bought it at neal's yard remedies, but I don't know how reliably they stock it. Good luck squaring it all up!

Take your time and read as much as you possibly can. There's plenty of info on the many threads under the Vaccinations topic here on MN. And make sure you're up-to-date with the latest research, such as this.

Thank you both. I wasn't so much after more evidence - I have read a reasonable amount, although I certainly don't profess to be an expert - but will certainly keep reading through.
Instead it's more that I don't know where to begin in looking at alternatives - can I request single vaccinations? Should I speak to their peadiatrician/GP? Should I look into private options?

Will see if I can find more on the Vaccinations thread (should have posted there, apologies).

By all means do your research, but please read articles that are more recent than 2002

And you can no longer get the mumps vaccination as a single shot.

Sorry, am still incredulous that someone has the nerve to tell you to read the latest research, and then links to an article that is 10 years old!

You won't get single vaccinations on the nhs and the single mumps vaccine is currently unavailable

And just to refute traffic's groundbreaking news

www.guardian.co.uk/science/2006/oct/14/badscience.uknews?mobile-redirect=false

Whilst I have vaccinated my children I completely respect your right to determine what happens to your children. But please, please read into the subject properly!

Yep, your choices are have it, have none, or have measles and rubella jabs. I found out the expensive way. Went the singles route, too late for mumps jab. School considered her unvaccinated and she ended up having 2 lots of mmr in the space of a month as the others apparently didn't count

Heaven knows what I'll do with DD2

Oh dear, that was the wrong link, sorry. Meant to link to this.

But at least we are all saying do your research properly.

The Telegraph incidentally is a better source than the Guardian, which I believe takes money from GSK.

That article is still from 2002!'

This may mean the mumps single becomes available again.

Link.

As a rule of thumb you should be taking into account research articles from the last two years - anything else is outdated.

Would not recommend delaying it.
Have the vaccines done seperately.

You have to privately for seperate vaccines but is much safer option ( and more responsible IMO ) than delaying it.

Again, with respect, maples

Please think about also giving him the single jab for rubella. It is such a horrible disease for a pregnant woman to catch. My cards are all on the table in that all my children have had the MMR but it's obviously your right to choose. But the thought my child could contribute to brain damage or worse to an unborn child would be awful.

More links:
Lancet retracts 'utterly false' MMR paper After medical council ruling last week that MMR doctor Andrew Wakefield was dishonest, journal finally quashes paper (Feb 2010)

More background at:
New Scientist article
BMJ article

MMR is the safe and sensible alternative to MMR!

The mumps single will become available again if there's demand for it. If there are more legal judgements in favour of parents of vaccine-damaged children as a result of the Italian court's finding, then that demand will grow. And the market will meet the demand.

I chose to pay to have singles but my son has only had one mumps (two of everything else) as they stopped producing it just as he was due his second top up/booster- I think I only just managed to get his first one done - there was a delay- I hope it comes back on to give people choice.
You can still get singles of the other two - I had to pay a registration fee (£50) then I think it was £90 a jab and he has had 5 over a few years.
I could of had a test to see if the first mumps jab had been effective (as one sometimes can) but I chose not to.