Indian family Tree - HV has advised DD to have additional immunisation, anyone advice on this?

[fritata]

HV sent a letter to say our DD has to have another immunisation due to Indian grandparents.

Anyone know why etc???

Is it BCG? I am a HV and in our area we use a screening questionnaire to identify those who need the immunisation (unless it has already been given following birth). There are certain countries which have a high incidence of TB and it's policy in our area to offer the BCG immunisation to families if the questionnaire identifies them as either from those areas or likely to visit those areas. If this is not the case then it can be refused.

sorry not sure it didnt say it said to call. I filled out a health questionnaire a while ago when she started school. It said other country of origin of any family member so I put grandfather was Indian, I am half Indian.

I doubt very much we will visit Indian so would you advise she has it?

If it's a BCG and you are unlikely to visit India or have anyone from there visit you then I'd ask them if it's worth having it. Seems a shame to put her through a jab if she doesn't need it.

Mine have had BCG because DH was born in a country with high TB. I decided to get it done because TB is on the rise since it stopped being offered to everyone and although they are unlikely to travel to DHs country they do come into contact with people who are going back and forth in their day to day life, through friends/family as well as food shops and restaurants. Some London boroughs vaccinate all babies against TB. Its not a controversial vaccine but it does sting and blister up so its not nice.

DS was offered it because my FIL is originally from south Africa. We explained that he's been living in Ireland now for the last 45 years and we have no plans to visit SA but they still recommended it . We declined.

My friends dd died a few months ago from TB meningitis aged 2. My friend and her dh are doctors and he passed it on to his daughter unknowingly. My friend is advising anyone she knows who has children to get them vaccinated.

TB is on the rise in this country and having seen the trauma and heartbreak that my friend has gone/ is going through I would strongly recommend that you take them up on the offer of vaccination. Will your childen be spending any time with people who visit the indian subcontinent?

That's very sad nutgirl. Sorry to hear of your friends' loss. It is a fairly rare condition though. There's some info here that you might find useful fritata. It is specifically talking about the condition nutgirl mentioned but it also gives tb figures in England/ Wales.