test to check if mmr has worked

[ariane5]

Is there a blood test to check if first mmr has worked?

If so is it something a gp would do or the hospital? I would like to see if just the first dose has given dcs enough protection already.

if you are going to put a needle in them to test then you may be as well giving the mmr anyway.

It is not the needle I am worried about.

Just don't want dcs having a vaccination if they already have immunity. I had heard that in most cases the 1st dose is sufficient to protect them?

But if so, 2nd will do no harm at all.. What is your concern about the vaccination if already immune?

Dcs don't react well to vaccinations so makes sense to me that if they have immunity from 1st dose then I wouldn't have the 2nd dose.

There is a blood test. Don't know if GP would do it. I had it through work.

the second mmr caused no reaction at all in either of mine and is supposed to be less likely to cause side effects. I dont know if you will find anyone to do the test for you and if you do you would probably have to pay for it to be done.

p.s. the first dose leaves around 10% unprotected and the second dose helps cover that unprotected 10%.

Would it not be quite a simple/easy test to do?-if I remember I'm sure with each of dcs they checked my rubella immunity in the ante natal clinic, I'm assuming there is the same sort of blood test for measles/mumps immunity too.

I know that having had the first dose mmr they are less likely to have a reaction but if they don't actually need it I don't see the point of injecting them with it.

Dd2 especially reacts badly to vaccinations and I just need to know if they are all protected already.

You can get the test done privately, I know Babyjabs in London does it x

Is it expensive?

Might be worth it esp for dd2 as any illness/vaccination really affects her (she has diabetes) and I don't want to vaccinate again if she doesn't need it.

Let me know how you get on ariane.
My youngest has had first mmr and due 2nd [age 3] but my eldest [7] had single jabs. 2 doses of measles and rubella but one of mumps. So- wonder if only option is MMR giving 3 doses of measles and rubella to cover mumps.
[Grrr... retrospect is wonderful thing and wish just done mmr for both now].

SunflowersSmile - I believe there is a single mumps vaccine available again, so that might be an option.

ariane5 - I think friends of ours paid about £250 to have immunity testing done...but it was a while ago and done privately. If your dd2 reacts badly though (and has a history of doing so) you might be able to convince your GP that it's in her best interests medically - but there would be no guarantees that you would convince him/her. My DD reacted very badly so I understand your concern.

Thanks Andro.
My 3 year old just had 2nd MMR and I was told only option for 7 year old was MMR re booster mumps. At moment looking at appointment for older child in 4 weeks when 3 year old has more jabs [ones that could have gone with 2nd MMR today].
7 year old says would prefer injection to blood test....

You might have to pay for it privately if it is available SunflowersSmile, the NHS has a pretty hard line against single vaccines though...MMR or nothing seems to be their attitude (according to their info site) and anything else is 'unlicensed'