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Original poster

MMR / Single injections??

51 replies

LynnC · 04/01/2006 14:16

My dd will be due her mmr soon and I've looked into loads of web sites and researched as much as I can myself and can't see any reason why not to give her it. The only thing I havent been able to find out about is single injections and if I did decide to go down that route where locally would do them? Anyone have any idea on a web site or any other way I could find out about this?

Oh and I know would probably be easiest to talk to HV but got new one and she is a bit of a grump and not very helpful so hoping some of you nice people could give me point in right direction first

OP posts:
starlover · 04/01/2006 14:17

you'd have to go to an independant clinic as far as i know.
where do you live?

Original poster
LynnC · 04/01/2006 14:22

Thanks starlover I thought it would be private and I'm pretty sure I wont go down that road but for some reason I am getting nervous at thought of it and would just like to know I have covered every area for my own peace of mind. I live in Glasgow.

OP posts:
ruty · 04/01/2006 14:22

jabs website www.jabs.org.uk have a list of private clinics that do singles in your area.

Original poster
LynnC · 04/01/2006 14:26

thanks ruty away to look just now.

just curious if you dont mind me asking, did either of you go for singles?

OP posts:
ruty · 04/01/2006 14:31

we're delaying singles until ds is three because of severe gut problems, which makes him vulnerable to the measles vaccine. But if he did not have these problems we would be going ahead with the singles now.

starlover · 04/01/2006 14:32

ds is only 10 months but yes, we're going to go for singles. and we're waiting until he is 18 months.

that's vaguely based on advice from lovely people on here! one with a vaccine damaged son...
I figured if anyone had done their research it was likely to be these people, and i asked their opinion and they said go for it, but sensible to wait until 18 months

Furball · 04/01/2006 14:33

I went for singles for my ds who is now 4.

Unless you look hard 'they' ie your doctor, health visitor etc will all tell you that the mmr is best. I felt that for my son it wasn't. We went to a clinic about 20 minutes away and found them to be good, supportive and extremely understanding, but then we were paying them £300 odd for the privilage. I also don't know what to do about boosters and will eventually get round to having immunity tests and take it from there.

I also feel that a whole can of worms is being opened up into getting these diseses when alot older from people 'forgetting' to get boosters etc.

Tough subject, no-one has any answers, just do your research and follow your instinct.

Original poster
LynnC · 04/01/2006 14:39

wow ladies my stomach is actually turning with worry now, I should have came here first instead of reading loads of different sites, you now have my full attention on singles. It is a lot of money but waiting till 18months would give us six months to save. Thank you and will definately be looking more into this.

Furball, when are boosters etc due, would we not be notified by health board that they are due? I have red book at home should really go home and study it now.

OP posts:
ruty · 04/01/2006 14:43

Any research that raises questions about MMR does usually accepts that MMR is safe for the vast majority - the problem is identifying a small subset of children who may be at risk. Many children tolerate the MMR without problems. But if you have concerns it is a good compromise to go for singles.

Furball · 04/01/2006 14:45

Because we didn't get the MMR in the first place they won't be asking us for a booster. It's upto you to keep a track on it with singles. Apparently singles are more effective and last longer. As I said an immunity test is on the cards which from others experience is 'not very nice'

starlover · 04/01/2006 14:47

i have a healthy (as far as i know) son. to my knowledge he has no gut problems or auto-immune disorders.

in which case the mmr should be safe for him.

however, to err on the side of caution i am going for singles. I basically said to someone on here whose little boy was damaged from the mmr, if she was me what would she do? she said she'd go for singles, after 18 months.
have also read up on it, but tbh there is still a lot i don't understand

getbakainyourjimjams · 04/01/2006 14:50

Are you sure you won't get called for a booster furball (its not really a booster in MMR's case its a second shot in case the first one didn't work- the states have a proper booster in the teen years- UK doesn't although in many ways would make more sense to give MMR to teens than toddlers, sorry rambling OT).

Back to the point- my surgery still get sent booster requests for my 3 and ds2 and ds3 haven't had anything at all, not even baby jabs, ds1 hasn't had anything since single measles in 2000. Also their screen always flashes up that they are due jabs when we go and see the doc.

Fauve · 04/01/2006 14:58

Furball, if you have it, I'd like to hear more info about the immunity tests - I've heard very little. If they're blood tests, surely that's not particularly unpleasant? And if they avoid the need for further vaccinations, surely well worth it?

Original poster
LynnC · 04/01/2006 16:52

Thanks for all the advice seriously considering singles after reading more from jabs web site (ta ruty!) I had already seen this site but obviously had bad day and didnt take much in like starlover so much of it going over my head. Now I have new questions like how do you know the injections the private clinics are safe too, are they getting them from right sources...OMG AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH why do we have such a crapy government all parents have to deal with this on our own. Well apart from all your great advice

OP posts:
ruty · 04/01/2006 19:05

i think the clinics jabs list are pretty reputable, but its well worth ringing individual clinics and asking questions. A personal recommendation is always best tho. Good luck.

Furball · 04/01/2006 19:34

The MMR needs boosters. Yes the second jab is becuase the first one doesn't work but that jab won't last a lifetime. I've had a quick look and can't find ANY information whatsoever on boosters for it. But, strangely wasn't there an epidemic of mumps amongst university students last year and they would have had the MMR. My BIL had it an he is 24

Ask at the clinic you choose about blood tests. Rumour has it you can also go to a Bupa hospital.

going4potty · 04/01/2006 19:37

Hello, just read this thread as have two friends with autistic children, one had singles one had mmr. We decided to give ds mmr, he is 3 and fine. Reason we did so, is the diseases it protects from have increased in incidence, so delaying them might have put ds at risk. Make your own mind up lynn and make sure the websites articles you read are not biased. Good luck

going4potty · 04/01/2006 19:40

Ps also remember that articles that include inidence rates should be based on large study groups eg at least 1000 people in a study

TeddyRobinson · 04/01/2006 19:40

The government isn't crappy, it's been thoroughly researched and there is no reason to believe that MMR is not safe.

By all means do your research and make your own decisions - go for singles if you feel happier, but don't get drawn in by the hype.

Be aware that JABS is not an unbiased source of info either.

Why don't you talk to your GP?

TeddyRobinson · 04/01/2006 19:41

For your little poll - all 3 of my children have had the MMR jab with no problems.

Good luck with your decision - it's an emotive subject and you could come across some strong opinions on this website (not a bad thing and often justified but just be aware of that).

getbakainyourjimjams · 04/01/2006 19:47

Furball- I agree if they are going to vaccinate children then they should give MMR boosters-and in the vaccinated generation they should continue to give them for life (or at least antibody check) but currently they do not. Totally stupid because ooh immunity wears off when you are around 20 and oh hey presto if you catch the illnesses it's far more likely to be serious than if you had caught them between 18 months and 9. A friend made that point to some dept of health bod on a radio phone in and the bod agreed with him.

getbakainyourjimjams · 04/01/2006 19:51

Fauve- it depends on the age of your child. Taking blood from my autistic (then) 4 year old son was pretty horrific (3 people pinning him down and he still managed to kick a bed over)- this wasn't for antibody stuff btw it was for genetic testing and lead level measuring. I would imagine it would be a lot easier with ds2 (now almost 4), as a) the situation could be explained to him and b) he could have the numbing spray/cream.

drosophila · 04/01/2006 19:57

My DS caught measles a couple of years ago and it was horrible (ended up in hospital). He hadn't had the MMR as he is severely allergic to egg and we were hesitating. I now have dd who so far shows no signs of ds's problems and I will be giving her the single jabs.

funnyonion · 04/01/2006 20:00

My DS is 19months old and has yet to have his MMR jab. I find myself in a complete dilemma, the more research i do the more confused i get. Unfortunatley single jabs are not available where i live so i'm leaning more towards delaying as oppossed to not giving the vaccination at all. However i would like to know what do you mean when you refer to gut problems?

getbakainyourjimjams · 04/01/2006 20:10

leaky gut, Larger molecules than usual can pass through- causes problems with gluten snd sometimes casein (is NOT the same as coeliac though). Crohns is also a risk factor.