Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Single MMR jab people, what order did you give the jabs in?

16 replies

AtheneNoctua · 28/08/2008 10:18

DS is 3 and we've been rather slack on it too be honest. He had the Measels one about a year ago. He goes to nursery (attached to primary) in September. Need to organise a jab for him. Should we go for mumps of rubella. We will probably get whichever one he doesn't get now in about 6 months.

I seem to recall hearing that mumps is only serious if a boy gets it in his teenage years. Is this true? Can't remember where I heard it so might not be true.

BTW, this thread is not being created for the pupose of the MMR debate in general. We are not getting a combined jab. So I would appreciate if those who are inclined to suggest it could please try to refrain.

OP posts:
vonsudenfed · 28/08/2008 10:27

We've only given dd measles (she's nearly 2), and don't intend to give either mumps or rubella until teenage years (the MMR wears off, and they are both - as you say - only serious post adolescence).

Do you have to have the jabs for nursery? If not, you could look at the Richard Halvorsen (sp?) book about vaccines, which is very good on which ones are essential (he's a GP btw) and which are less useful.

Original poster
AtheneNoctua · 28/08/2008 10:35

That's interesting, why are you not giving them at all? Do you just think it's not serious enough to warrant a jab?

I wouldn't actually care if he caught rubella to be honest. He would then be immune. And DD would be exposed and have her immunity boosted without another jab.. and same goes for me sinc eI got a rubella jab when I left the hospital after having DD. But, for the sake of eliminating the possibility of him infect a pregnant woman I think I'll go ahead and let him have it... unless of course someone can point me in the direction of a rubella party.

OP posts:
vonsudenfed · 28/08/2008 11:22

I don't want to lay down facts on this, as I am sooo not an expert, but it was based on my readings of the Halvorsen book, which seems to suggest that the benefits are debatable at best, and that the herd immunity is a bit of a myth, because the MMR wears off.

But yes, would love a rubella or mumps party. I got driven across the country to get mumps from my cousins, back in the day..,

Original poster
AtheneNoctua · 28/08/2008 11:30

So, how long does he say it takes the MMR to wear off?

OP posts:
vonsudenfed · 28/08/2008 11:34

Well - and I hope I am remembering this rightly - there are reports of outbreaks of mumps (?) in universities, where the whole cohort of students should have got MMR.

CrushWithEyeliner · 28/08/2008 11:36

I am doing measels first for DD (20m) and Rubella at around 11

themildmanneredjanitor · 28/08/2008 11:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
AtheneNoctua · 28/08/2008 12:11

Why is mumps only serious as a teenager?

OP posts:
themildmanneredjanitor · 28/08/2008 12:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EachPeachPearMum · 28/08/2008 12:42

AN- because it can damage the testes in males who have begun puberty, I believe.

EachPeachPearMum · 28/08/2008 12:42

and adult men of course too...

morocco · 28/08/2008 20:40

he's already had measles jab? then I'd go for mumps next, there seem to be outbreaks of mumps atm. ds1 got it in the spring, he was fine, but apparently it was doing the rounds. my brother was v ill with mumps encephalitis when he got it and I got a post viral illness after having it and was off school for most of a year. i was 11, he was 9. so that would be my next choice

anyone know if the measles part of the mmr jab wears off then? ds1 needs his boosters but if he's already had mumps, I'm not worried about rubella, that only leaves measles so I need to get him the single jab for that. but what's the point if it wears off? Mind you, I never had measles as a child so could I catch it as an adult or am I immune?

likessleep · 28/08/2008 20:45

Just out of curiosity, how much are the single vaccines?

Original poster
AtheneNoctua · 29/08/2008 07:55

They do wear off. I don't know though how long it takes for them to wear off. Do you remember the measels case at a West London Hospital (something Middlesex but it wasn't West Middlesex). There were several nurses who caught the measel from a patient. So, presumably, these nurses had had a jab when they were young but it had worn off?

I do wonder if children would be better off having the booster when they are say 7 and not 3. Especially girls. Wouldn't it make more sense for them to get a Rubella jab at about 10 so that they might still have some immunity when they are pregnant.

Anyway, yes, I suppose mumps is they way to go because as you say I'm not too concerned about him getting Rubella.

OP posts:
vonsudenfed · 29/08/2008 13:04

I think the best thing to do with Rubella is what they used to do when I was at school (back in the mists of antiquity) and test all the girls at about 13, and then immunise those who hadn't rubella as a child. It turned out I had had rubella when I was tested, but no one had noticed...

oysterpots · 03/09/2008 14:27

They're about £100 per jab, likessleep

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread