If you decided to postpone baby jabs...

[thehouseofmirth]

how long did you delay them for and what was the rationale for your decision?

We didn't have any done. I will probably get "flamed" but don't give a monkey's

Lots of reasons but (if you want to read for yourself) I recommend "Dispelling Vaccination Myths" by Alan Phillips.

We didn't have any done for our last three babies either, first baby had baby jabs but not MMR.

Too many reasons to go into and will probably get flamed too! Try The Vaccination Bible by the What Doctors Don't Tell you team.

I delayed DD's for three months - just the MMR as she had recurrent rashes and it was very difficult to tell what was the vaccine and what was just general rashes from the virus she had. I also delayed DS's on medical advice for a month after he contracted a severe virus as he'd been fitting with high temperatures.

However I have actually read all the studies relating to vaccines, including the anti-vax books, before coming to my own conclusions and vaccinating my children. I would recommend that you do the same. You make your own choice. But please don't base it on unproven anecdotes rather than hard clinical evidence!

I agree wholeheartedly with whomovedmychocolate

I would never want to advise anyone on whether they should or shouldn't vaccinate their children and when to do it. Read all you can and make the decision that you feel is most right for your family.

Oh cool, Greatwhiteshark!

There are actually a lot of us around who haven't opted for the jabs.

It is apparent to me that a lot of kids haven't had the vax. Actually I know this to be true because we've had a measles outbreak recently, hospitalising six children in my area. Hopefully they will be okay long term.

For me, if people have actually read the real medical studies and not relied on websites/biased books (on both sides of the argument) and have enough statistical knowledge to interpret the information (can't recommend the www.badscience.net website and book highly enough in helping aid understanding of how to read a study) - then fine, it's a decision taken from knowledge. Your kids, your choice.

I also know of people who have had the measles jab and still caught measles. It's just one of those personal choices that you have to make and I don't think anyone can make the "wrong" one. You have to go with your gut and do what feels right for you and your dc.

There are two people in the country in the last five years who have had both MMR jobs and caught measles. The vaccine is fallible but in terms of risk of infection your personal choice is much higher than the MMR.

I actually know 5 people, personally, who've caught measles and been vaccinated.

I delayed with all the older 4 because 2 of them have febrile convulsions, and also ds1 had dyspraxia. I also felt that the injections at 2,3, and 4 months are too soon and too much for a very young baby, so all of mine had them much older than that.

Am delaying (and possibly even not having mmr at all ) with ds2 because of the febrile convulsions, but also because ds1 now has a dx of aspergers.

Delayed DS2's 2nd MMR jab until last week. He's 14 now

Reason was that he had what I considered to be an extreme reaction to the first jab. His entire body was covered in a rash that had joined up. He basically looked as if his whole body was one big port wine stain.

I am pro immunisation, but didn't want to put him through that again. Concerns about recent outbreaks of measles, plus worries about DS2's future health/mumps was what prompted us to do it. And a letter from our GP reminding us to come in for it helped too!

Oh, and 2nd jab was fine. No reaction whatsoever.

loving all the 'evil doctors adn their conspiracy to mutilate your children' book recommendations.

I'm sure someone knows way more about this than me, but as I understand it, the less people who vaccinate their children, the more everybody's children are at risk. So if there is no medical reason for not having your child immunised, I'm afraid I think it's a little selfish......

I did not say I think it's selfish if there are medical reasons not to have the vaccination. It also makes sense to wait if there are reasons eg fever to do so. But it does make it more important for all other children to be vaccinated to ensure that everyone is protected.

Kayteee - really? You should call the papers - measles is a communicable disease. Suspected cases have blood drawn and are centrally notified. The DoH makes this information publicly available. Or do you believe there is a conspiracy on this (as well?)

Not going to get drawn into a long winded should you, shouldn't you debate. Just giving my opinion, as is everyone else.

I didn't mention any conspiracy either. I just don't believe everything the Government tell me.

So to be clear:

(1) you don't believe there is a conspiracy
(2) You don't believe everything the government tell you.

Okay then....

Incidentally, yer man Alan Phillips - he's was a LAW STUDENT FFS when he wrote that book! Ooh and I see his son had a vaccine reaction. He then decided to create his own task force against vaccines. So clearly an open minded chappie there.

Good for you, nothing like really researching properly and not just accepting one view.

I stand by what I stood for....have a lovely day

or should I say lovely day

damn, twas supposed to be in bold

If you'd like to read a good, balanced book then Richard Halvorsen's Truth About Vaccines is good. He's a GP.

I delayed dd's measles jab (had singles) until over 15 months for many reasons but a big factor was its effectiveness at 15 months compared to the recommended NHS schedule of 13 months.

My daughter missed her MMR because I forgot about it (a lot going on, house move, etc) and now she's twenty months. I didn't do it on purpose, though. Can I just go back to the doc at any time and say I want to do it now?

Mochan the dr will probably bite your hand off if you ask for it - it's one of their performance targets so they're pretty keen.

DS had all his baby jabs a few weeks late because the surgery was running behind. He was fine but I'm glad he was a little bit bigger when he had them, 8 weeks does seem very tiny to start.