MMR Given Without My Consent

[zanzibar2]

We've had an awful experience with my daughter's immunisations.

We saw the nurse for her 12 month jabs, and the nurse administered the MMR jab without asking/telling me.

After greeting us, I told her we were there for the 12 month immunisations, to which she replied 'I'll give you all 3 today' - which I presumed to be the group of 12 month jabs listed in the red book.

Afterwards I thanked her, and she said 'the MMR can cause a fever so give Calpol if needed' ...

When I questioned her she told me that since November the NHS have been administering the 1st MMR at 12, not 13 months. I said it still says 13 months in my red book - how would I have known that? And surely she should have made it clear (given all the adverse media surrounding MMR and the fact that many parents choose not to have it), that she was specifically administering the MMR?

Knowing that GP surgeries receive a payment from the Government for every MMR jab they administer, I'm concerned this wasn't a genuine case of the nurse not paying attention that day - but more a case of tricking parents into having the jab.

My daugher reacted very badly - she had a high fever, seemed really uncomfortable and inconsolably crying.

And to top it all, the nurse entered some other poor babies details into our red book - a 3 month old boy! My child is a 12 month old girl ...

Other mums I've spoken to say they're always asked to sign a consent form before having jabs - however the nurse told me that parental consent wasn't needed to administer the MMR.

Surely this can't be true? ....

A very concerned Mummy

E-mail zanzibar2

Oh dear. I think that's officially assault but I doubt you'll get anyway.

I'm sorry your daughter had the injection without your consent. I would be spitting feathers.

There are treatments you can give her, if you really object very badly to her having the injection. I don't really believe much in homeopathy, but I believe there are homeopathic "remedies" for vaccines.

I just don't know what to say. I wouldn't be giving Calpol, but that's me. I just don't know what to say, very sorry for you.

"get anywhere"

Your daughter may feel a bit ill about 10 days after the jab - that's the antibodies kicking in. And then she'll be fine and protected from some pretty nasty diseases.

I would write down, starting now, every single reaction she has that's out of the ordinary, just in case. I'm sure she'll be fine, but I think it's a good idea.

I wouldn't give Calpol eihter.

sorry htis has happened.

I did have ot sign a consent form when my dd1 had mmr, but that was 6 years ago, so may have changed.

you should have had the full info, and the patient informaito leaflet before siging (or not in your case) the form.

have oyu registered your complaint with your doctors?

I don't know if PALS cover this, but it might be worht finding out?

The nurse lied they need parental consent for everything but i dont think it is standard practice to get signed consent for jabs when the parent is present

I guess you should have checked if you had been planning on declining the MMR

But also they should have been providing info on the change in vaccine schedule, maybe a leaflet or sign in the waiting room

agree with writing everything down. note as much detail as possible.

I would also write as much of the conversation as you can remember down now as well.

I too am sure everything will be fine, but at the very least the nurse needs some re-training on keeping parent sn the loop.

Theres no need to sign a written consent. You are consenting by way of taking your child for vaccinations.

However, the vaccines that were due to be given should have been talked through with you before they were given so that your verbal agreement could be sought.

Did the letter you were sent for the appointment detail the vaccinations that would be given at this appointment?

littleducks, I'm not sure how the OP was supposed ot check something she didn't know was going ot happen...

she had read her red book - it said 13 months.

what else was she supposed ot check?

consent is only valid (whether written, verbal or implied) if it is given on the basis of full information.

since th eOP was not given the patient information leaflet to read through, and was not informed that it was mmr until after the fact, then consent is not valid i this case.

I'm not blaming the OP, I can see how it happened and its not her fault but I would recommend that everyone always checks what is being adminstered before its too late

I realise that jabs clinics are really pushed for time and they rush you, but if there are jabs you dont want. then I do think you should ask what the injections are to the person with the needle

The same goes for hosp meds

The appointment was made by telephone - nothing in writing given from the surgery.

I really feel the nurse should have discussed what was going to happen during our appointment. She didn't even ask my child's name - it was a case of 'in and out as quick as possible'.

Interestingly my Gp practice continue to give mmr at 13 months separately from the 12 months have as they believe it is more appropriate to do so.

They also offered swine flu for all under 5's earlier this month

Sorry you are so upset. It is pretty shoddy. Would you have objected to the MMR anyway?

To be frank, at least your dd won't get measles. You'd have a lot more to worry about then than giving her Calpol.

Yes, she should have talked this through with you fully to ensure you were aware of everything being given, what to expect and how to manage the side-effects.

I thought for all jabs child or adult names and dob should be checked.

The nurse who did ds's mmr went through the leaflet with me at the appointment prior to giving the injection

You need to contact PAL and have a chat about it with them. They are there o support patients in a situation like this.

Sorry it's PALS

I have never signed a consent form for DS's vacc's.

You told the nurse you were there for the injections, she gave you th einjections her surgery give at that age.

If you have string feelings about the MMR you should be checking (and double checking)what injections were to be given - I always asked how many and what.

If it if more important to you that your child doesn;t have the MMR then the harsh reality is that the onus is on you to make sure you make that clear at every jab appointment.

Agree that you should have been able to give informed consent I would have been bloody furious, especially as its been a recent change in the immunisation schedule she should have highlighted this!

Genuine question though, why would you not give calpol?

Thank you ladies for your posts/advice.

We did tons of research last year when my 1st child was due the 1st MMR. I'm not against it - though I use homeopathic remedies where I can but also think conventional medicine is essential in certain areas.

We decided to give it at 24 months because a)little one would be bigger and stronger to cope with the side effects and b)we timed it to coincide with starting nursery for extra protection against all the bugs.

Having the MMR early is not the end of the world for me, but I do feel concerned/scared about the care we were given from the NHS.

Trust is definitely broken ...

Kew - you don't necessarily have ot sign (my nurse made me sign because I was already being stroppy bout something else), but it does have ot be informed consent fo reach and every jab.

so just on that point, the nurse needs some re-training.

the informed consent can be written, verbal, or implied (coming along to the appt), but if they are going to go with the implied, then OP should have been told at appt booking itme.

at some point that info shoudl ahve been put to her, along with the opportunity to read the patient info leaflets, and ask questions.

without that, there is no consent.

I would be complaining about this. It's simply not acceptable and, as someone (sorry can't remember who) has said further up the thread, full consent can only be given with full knowledge of what's being done. Consent for vaccines in general, does not give consent for the MMR.

Definitely complain.

I have never signed anything at the immunisations clinic.

And if it causes a raised temperature, I absolutely would give Calpol and can't understand why you wouldn't. Especially when the antibodies kick in, which as others have said is in about 10 days time.

If you would have declined MMR, by all means make a complaint.

But your daughter is now protected from measles, a potentially fatal disease, which can also cause brain damage and deafness. Which is good.