DC not had MMR, really need some advice

[memoo]

My DC are 8 and 10 and haven't had the MMR.

Just to clarify that this isn't to do with the now infamous research my Dr Wakefield.

However I do believe parents know their children better than anyone, and if a parent says their child was fine until they had the vaccination then I tend to believe them.

I am not irresponsible though, my DC are the most precious things in the world to me and the last thing I want is for them to get a life threatening illness.

Unfortunately I cannot afford single vaccines and so I have come to the conclusion that I must now let them have the mmr, but I am terrified.

Has anyone else had their DC vaccinated at a later age?

In retrospect I wish I'd waited until mine started pre-school.
I am a coward though, and succumbed to the pressure.

DD1 had hers at the recommended age, and was fine.

DD2 had hers at the recommended age too, reacted very badly a week after. The worst, most prolonged fever any of my children have ever had. She is just 4 now and has been diagnosed with Aspergers. Maybe/probably there's no connection but I can't help wondering.
I'll delay her booster indefinitely. Maybe not bother with it at all.

I managed to delay DD3's MMR by 6 months (she was fine apart from an rash), and you should have seen the amount of letters I got from the HSE harrassing me about it.

How do you get their immunity checked? DS1 started to show signs of autism at 15mths, had MMR at 19 months so while I know it didn't cause it, it may have exacerbated it. He was helped by a GF diet and the intolerance to gluten and build up of opiates in the brain is caused by a leaky gut etc which seems to be a similar pathway to autism, so we didn't give him a booster or vaccinate the younger ones. They are now 11 and 13 and we have been reminded by the surgery, my husband refuses to countenance it but I am wavering. And yes I have met a child whose mother told me he became autisitic directly after reacting badly to the MMR.

there are blood tests that can be done to check for antibodies to the various viruses - when I worked in a hospital, I was checked for rubella antibodies (had loads) - if I hadn't had enough, they would have made me have a booster.

They are not routine though and are likely to be charged for, as there is no medical requirement to have them.

DS2 has had the first MMR at 18 months, but still not had the booster. He's 8 now. I don't know whether to book him in for the booster, or to check his immunity.

Does anyone know how immunity is checked and where you can get it done (and at what cost?)

I phoned the 'jabs' helpine number and spoke to a really lovely lady there who has put me in touch with a clinic where they do the single vaccines.

I phoned and now have an appointment for them to both be done in 2 weeks.

No matter how much I try to get my head round them having the MMR I just can't do it.

MollieO, I was told that the singles are manufactured in Croatia which was what put me off giving them to Dd.

Thumbwitch, is there a blood test to test immunity for each of the MMR diseases - measles, mumps and rubella?

Haven't read anything, but I would say that when I was at school, MMR was introduced. I can't remember the exact age people were getting it, but everyone was at least as old as your DCs (to the OP). I personally know a girl at school of approx. this age who had MMR and then got major bowel probs resulting in lots of surgery. My DCs are having/have had singles. They are very expensive and if I hadn't been able to cover this cost, I would have prioritised the vaccines. Would have got measles for them both ASAP, got mumps for DS quickish and made sure DD had rubella jab at some point before puberty.

Vaccines my DS had - manufactured in USA by Merck (mumps and measles).

Immunity can be tested (blood test). Don't know how much, some private places giving the single jabs will do it. I haven't had this done.

Hvaen't read EVERYTHING not anything!

crokky, the clinic I am taking DC to get their vaccines from the USA manufactured by merck.

The bowel problem is the thing that worries me the most given the crohns in my family

Can i ask where you got your DC vacinated? We are going to a clinic in Worcester, which is a couple of hours away from us but well worth it I think. They are having the measles first in two weeks time

Breakspear (hospital in Hertfordshire, although I am not near there). This hopital was excellent.

www.breakspearmedical.com/

I also know of this place (Bath), although I don't live there either it may be closer for DD's jabs. Haven't actually been yet, so couldn't personally recommend etc.

www.clarionhealth.co.uk/

What is the mainstream advice about giving the MMR to dc where there is Crohns or other severe bowel issues in the family history? What have you been told by your GP or specialist, memoo, if you don't mind me asking? (Relevant to my dc.)

certainly some nhs paeds advise against MMR when there is Crohns in family. not sure if they all do, but some def do.

Thanks, Crokky, so the advice would be not to have single vaxes either? Or just not MMR?

Fauve, sorry I've only just got back to this - yes, there are tests for all the antibodies - measles, mumps and rubella.
this website gives a guide price for the tests (but it won't be standard across the country) - £105 for all 3, or £45 each.

Thanks, Thumbwitch - so definitely worth getting immunity checks before committing to late vaxes.

I am definately not getting the mmr. I posted on teh 'jabs website too and have heard of a 15 year old being badly affected by it.

Thanks thumbwitch, I could get to Chesterfield in the holidays.