Jimjams- here are those MMR questions for you.

[SnowOfHands]

Hi there.

Sorry to target you like this, but I have had a limited trawl of reputable sites (dodgy internet connection permitting) and am getting nowhere fast. I have read many posts on MN written by you and know that you know your potatoes.

Some of this is just a fact finding exercise but you should know that I haven't vaccinated dd yet. I'm not asking you to make that decision for me and will not use your answers as the sole basis for my decision. I know nobody but me can make the decision.

Firstly, do you know why the single jabs are unlicensed? I understand the financial implications and the desire for all parents to choose the MMR, but am increasingly curious to know what 'have not passed through the DoH's quality control procedures' means. I know they're licensed elswhere and the measles and rubella jabs were given to me as a child. Just wondered which quality control procedure they failed to meet. I always assumed it was something to do with having to import them from abroad. Is this right?

Secondly, I wondered about history of reactions to vaccinations in family members and whether there had been any research done into this. I know children with a history of reactions to vaccines are advised to have singles but what of a history within the family? My Dad has had a reaction to several vaccinations (as well as other severe reactions to penicillin, any stings/bites, some foods (seafood especially) and is asthmatic and has exczema and other dermatological problems). I have inherited his allergies to a lesser degree and am asthmatic and have exczema and had rashes after some of my jabs as a child. DD was fine with her other vaccinations but has had mild exczema and some breathing problems (too young to say whether it's asthma). Sorry for the family medical history. I wondered if there was any contraindications for family history of vaccine reactions?

We are thinking of giving the single vaccines to dd (Richard Halvorsen's clinic) and can scrape together enough for the full course. I know he offers a consultation for questions like those above but we can't find the money right now for that on top of the cost of travelling to him (no local clinics) and the vaccines. I feel a bit cheeky using you as an information service.

Thank you.

Oh and thirdly, and most importantly, you say your parents like my namesake, does this mean you don't?!?

Hi SOH.

OK first one I am very confident about answering as I have this in writing from the Dept of Health on 22 May 2001. I'll quote the relevant bit:

"... but can I first clarify in a little more depth the licensing position of the monovalent measles and mumps vaccines. Can I assure you that the Governmenth has not removed any of these licenses. In fact there are 4 extant measles vaccine licenses and on extant mumps vaccine license. The companies that hold these licenses have told the Department of Health however that they are not making or marketing the the UK vaccine which matches these extant licenses. Therefore the measles and mumps vaccine currently being imported into the UK are unlicensed. Like any unlicensed medicines the availability of these unlicensed vaccines is restricted under the Medicines Act. If manufacturers of these products wish to apply for licenses they are free to do so."

OK so my reading of that is that companies aren't that fussed about marketing single vaccines, therefore they don't bother to go through licensing. In the meantime the single vaccines in use can be imported on a named patient basis. If they were unsafe that wouldn't be possible. The rest is politics rather than medicine.

I certainly know anecdotally of cases where this seems to be the case. And last week when searching on a MMR punch up thread I did come across an academic paper that seemed to suggest contraindications for bad reactions in close family members. Doctors certainly used to give that advice as I know my SIL's cousins didn't receive pertussis because of her bad reaction to it. Sorry that's not very helpful. Certainly there are people out there - such as Natasha Campbell McBride (qualified doctor, plus nutritionist) who say you should be careful about vaccinating with eczema (and never during a flare up) but it's the sort of thing that I don't think you're going to get access to reliable research on. I would imagine your doctor would encourage you to vaccinate.

Have you read Halvorsen's book? I have a feeling you get the consultation as part of the price of the first shot - might be worth checking. I think he gives singles a year apart (although again don't quote me on that) starting with measles - just thinking if you do end up paying then you would be paying for the shots over 3 years iyswim. I would certainly trust his advice.

I've never heard a great deal of Show of Hands. Well not knowingly. I probably have because they're my parent's favourites- they go and see them when they can. They're big folkies. I've got about as far as Seth Lakeman, so am not very knowledgeable! (And tbh I only started listening to Seth because we went to the same school many many many years ago - really like his stuff though).

Aah Seth Lakeman. Oh to be a fiddle in that man's hands. Oh and er he's musically very talented too.

Thank you for your replies. I'm not at all surprised about the political aspect to the licensing issue. RH's book is on my Christmas list- dh is under strict instructions. I've read a lot of interviews with him and some published papers so am happy with him for the singles.

I think we have to sacrifice the 'car blowing up/boiler dying/zombie plan' contingency fund to afford single vaccines. Were it not for the allergy issues/family history I'd possibly give the mmr but I can't bring myself to risk it. I do wonder if the decrease in mmr uptake/perceived increase in measles outbreaks will ever change the government stance on the mmr and the use of singles?

Thanks again.

• I think I missed my chance. He was just a classmate's kid brother

I did suggest way back in 2001 (as part of the correspondence) that the decrease in MMR uptake and public lack of confidence would necessitate the use of singles. But in that same letter I was told I was mistaken if I thought there was a loss of confidence and that as many people as ever were giving MMR . Methinks they want it both ways!