How do I go about testing if DD needs the MMR booster?

[Reastie]

Have posted this under the 'vaccines' boards but thought this might get more traffic.

DD had an awful reaction to her initial MMR injection. I'm now stressing about her booster, but have read the initial dose is effective for up to 95% of children and the booster is only to make sure it's effective for everyone (so gets those who didn't build up immunity the first time).

I've read that I can pay privately for a "antibody titer" which would tell us whether DD has enough immunity or not (please correct me if I've got this wrong).

So, has anyone done this? How much did it cost? Where on earth do I go for this test? Can't actually find this out on google

Thanks

You can have titre levels tested, but where and how much will depend on where you are - your GP may well be able to advise you.

With that said, if your DD's reaction was that bad, it may well be inadvisable for her to have the booster irrespective of her current immunity levels. Some children are fine, but some who have had an adverse reaction initially can have a much more serious one. Whatever you decide, make sure your concerns are listened to.

thanks andro , I didn't realise reactions could actually be worse with booster. Definitely will chat to my GP.

Hi. I was in the same position with my son who had a reaction to his first mmr. When he was due to have the booster I went to the GP to discuss and he was quite happy for him not to have it given that the huge majority will have acquired immunity from the first dose.
I have thought about having his immunity tested but haven't done anything about it as yet.

The booster is another full dose, exactly the same as the original one.
Talk to your GP. If she reacted badly, there's probably no need for a second dose.

Are you sure that's right? Because there was a case of measles when dd2 was about 2yo and they advised all dc who hadn't had the booster to come in and have it asap as they were much better protected having had two doses than just one.

It also depends on your definition of reacted really badly. I thought dd1 reacted really badly to the MMR because she had a temperature for a couple of days (she'd not reacted to any injection before). Then I had dd2 for whom a temperature of 40-41 degrees for 3-4 days was part and parcel of having any injection. And one of dd2's friends whose leg swelled up to horrendous size and since then has any vaccinations in hospital.

Go and talk to your GP and see what they suggest.

True dewee . It was bad enough to take her to the gp twice (and I'm not a mother who takes her to the gp needlessly). DD had a reaction to most of her jabs, but just the usual temperature/bit off for a couple of days, but this was much more than that. But then, it wasn't awful enough to get her to hospital or anything....

I'm an adult but a blood test showed I needed an mmr booster, the doctor said I had no immunity and there records showed I only had the initial injection. We moved around the time of the booster and it looks like my mum forgot!

*their

The mumps part of it is only about 60-70 percent effective i thought?

I was admitted for an emcs last year and their blood tests showed I wasn't immune to rubella. Despite having the vaccine AND having measles, mumps and german measles as a kid!
I guess I need a booster. But I'm not convinced it will work after all that .

My DS had a very bad reaction to his first MMR jab and we were on holiday at the time (i'd foolishly booked it in for just before we went to France).

Thankfully MIL (who we were with) is an ex nurse so the pair of us managed to get him through it but there was one night when we were seriously considering a hospital visit.

He was absolutely fine with the booster.

Perhaps the best thing to do woud be to speak to your HV? Explain the reaction last time and see what they recommend.

have booked gp apt for Monday. See how we get on there.