Measles vaccine

[FernGully24]

I'm a little concerned about the current measles outbreak in the UK and the fact that babies aren't due their first MMR vaccination until 12 months.

Has anyone been successful in moving their babies MMR jab forward from 12 months? Or has anyone paid for an early private vaccination? From what I've read it sounds like you can give babies the MMR jab from 6 months in specific circumstances (like international travel).

Would be super grateful for any advice on this as I really hate the idea of my 5 month old being a sitting duck for measles when there is a vaccine available. I understand babies do get some immunity from their mothers in their first year but this isn't as effective as vaccination

If you're in a high risk area, you get offered extra measles jabs. (We are and were offered them).

The measles outbreak is worse in some parts of the country than others. If you're in a high risk area you'll be contacted.

I know it's worrying but I'd just trust the vaccine schedule, imo

Are you vaccinated?

Because if so, then transferred maternal antibodies protect the infant in the first months of life, and giving the jab early can mean it doesn't "take" properly (as the maternal input deals with the vaccine challenge, rather than the infant forming their own response).

Ask your HV or practice nurse what they advise; jabs are sometimes brought forward during outbreaks

Thanks @Mumoftwo1312. Do you know if the extra jabs were offered to children under 12 months? I guess my concern is that the current vaccine schedule works when there is a low incidence of measles in the UK, but may not be fit for purpose with significant outbreaks like we are seeing in the West Midlands. There was one point where we thought we had eradicated measles in the UK.

I'm in London where there is currently an outbreak, albeit smaller than the West Mids outbreak.

They would end up having 3 if they get an early one under 1 year as they would still need the other ones on schedule

Thanks @carltonscroop that's really helpful, I hadn't thought about it from that perspective and makes complete sense.

Yes I am vaccinated. I'll contact my practice nurse and see what they say!

I'm in London too. The nhs knows about the outbreak and add extra ones to the schedule. The extra ones we were offered weren't under 12 months. I think it was at 1.5y and 2.5y or something - anyway they were halfway between the usual scheduled ones, whenever those are.

I think the immune response is different over 12mo as the pp above said; also I think children over 12mo are in contact with more people/children (nursery etc) so having the extra one around 2y maximises the effect when children need it the most - this is speculation on my part.

As I say, I'd trust the process. Unless you are an epidemiologist or something, I think it's a bit silly to think that you'd know more than the NHS about the measles situation. If you know about the outbreak, the NHS certainly does!

The health protection team are very good at tracking contacts of possible and defiantly confirmed cases of measles. IF anyone might be at a higher risk from measles they will offer access to anti virals or preventative vaccines.

Measles is endemic and carried by humans. It might appear to be eradicated but that depends on herd immunity. In turn herd immunity relies on 95% uptake of available vaccines. When that figure dips below 90% you start to see an increase in cases.

Your GPs surgery will know if your in an area of higher risk and would be able to let you know if earlier vaccination is advised.

We are not giving them out of schedule unless officially advised otherwise it would be a free for all leading to stock problems.
1-6 years and 16-25 years will be the focus for the catch up campaign we were told yesterday. Although anyone who has not got two documented doses can request them, regardless of previous infection. No upper age limit. It is a live vaccine so contraindicated for some and actually 97% are protected after one dose. The second dose is to try and mop up the remainder.
Practice nurse.

Mmr can't be given to under 1 unless it's prescribed off licence and for that to happen then it needs to be very specific conditions.

It's given at 1 year old and then at 3 years and 4 months.

I have been told that from next year both doses will be given by 18 months but I haven't had it confirmed.

In London you have it at a few months old. Not everywhere is at high risk.

I thought everyone had the first dose at the 12 or 16 week jabs (I can’t remember) Is that not the case or has it changed? Then second dose at 13 months.

The first mmr is around 12-15 months and the 2nd is at 3y 4 months

Mmr has never been given as standard to those under 1 year @Namechange1267

@Namechange1267 you could be thinking of the PCV (pneomococcal) vaccine