MMR Jabs

[Qd]

An osteopath told me last week she had heard there was a homeopathic alternative to the MMR, but didn't have any info. Does anyone know anything about it?

A homeopathic remedy that will mimic a vaccine for Measles mumps and rubella, oh come on, that's even more crazy than the 'alternative' remedies for cancer!!(not that I'm cynical or anything, but I'm with John Diamond on that one!).

Lil, don't necessarily knock it. In a week where one of the children at our son's nursery has come back after a nasty bout of German measles six months after he had his MMR, why shouldn't homoeopathic alternatives to standard vaccination be considered? We didn't go this route but I understand that qualified homoeopaths (medical or not as you choose) are quite honest with parents as to how their alternatives to vaccines work and how effective they are.
The mum in question queried why her son had caught rubella after the trouble she had gone to to protect him and was given the following answer which I think cannot be substantiated and is approaching emotional blackmail: that he'd have had it much worse without the vaccine, ooh, might have got encephalitis etc. How can the doctor know this for a fact? She now has no idea whether the immunisation has failed to take for the other two illnesses and needless to say was not offered the chance of a blood test to check his immunity for measles.
One can understand parents who want the best for their children and wanting to be treated like adults themselves choosing the alternative route sometimes. It is possible to use both depending on the circumstances - I defy anyone to find a better, faster-acting "conventional" remedy for bumps than arnica cream.

Marina, I did not say that all 'alternative' remedies are ridiculous, just this one! Homeopathy cannot induce antibodies for diseases in the body, its unheard of.

Conventional medicine does not pretend vaccinations are 100% effective so why do some homeopaths have to claim they can cure everything with unproven 'magic'.
When homeopaths start making these kind of outrageous claims it spoils it making the whole industry unbelievable- as well as preying on everyone's fears.

Lil, I've never heard a respectable homoeopath make these kinds of claims and I would be as cross as you if I came across one that did. What I have found is that alternative practitioners (properly trained and accredited ones) tend to listen more closely to parents' concerns and respond more holistically. There are times when that approach is appropriate and helpful. I agree with you about homoeopathic immunisation, which is why we didn't use it.

I'm as sceptical as they come. My brother however appears to have beaten non-Hodgkins lymphoma through traditional Chinese remedies including a heavy reliance on Tai-Chi. Obviously the focus was almost entirely on mental attitude. Of course he may have enjoyed a miraculous recovery anyway but nonetheless, I won't be dismissing alternative medicine!

Bells, did he pursue the 'conventional' chemo etc as well? If he didn't then that must have taken real belief in the alternative route.

Actually Lil he didn't. His wife, children and the rest of us were absolutely and completely horrified at his refusal to continue with chemo and we did our utmost to change his mind. I would of course never suggest that his experience is evidence of anything. Just that in his case, by completely changing his mental attitude, he seemed to beat the disease.

I'm working on a video project where mums can have the chance to ask health professionals about MMR - and I'm wondering if anyone might want to take part. We'll be giving mums with babies due for MMR the chance to raise all their questions with a leading academic, paediatrician, and health visitor. If you're interested please let me know or ring my resercher on 020 8540 2731. We'll be filming in London on 30 March and some dates in April. I'm a mum with two children who've both had the MMR - but only after lots of questions and discussions. I didn't always get answers to all my queries and this is a chance for mums to put their concerns to some people with access to all the available research.

Does anyone know of a doctor who will give the MMR vaccines separately, in the Bucks/Berks area?

Hi Peapod, a private London clinic can give you details of their nearest outreach clinic - they do vaccinations all over the country. Yous GP can provide a single Rubella shot free of charge so you shouldn't have to pay the clinic for that. Most private clinics will do the Rubella first to make sure you pay them!
A friend gave me this number, she got it off the GMTV website and said the clinics she attended were very good. (We haven't been yet.)
The number is 0208 2940737.
Good luck.

Midge, Peapod, that sounds like Direct Health 2000 in Eltham, where we went last year. The staff are great. We were lucky to get "done" before the latest restrictions on importing the measles vaccine, so at that time they didn't make us have rubella first, they were happy to give us the immunisation we felt our son needed most urgently, ie the measles one.
Good luck Peapod.

Does anyone know where I can get the MMR vaccinations done singly in the North of England (pref Yorks area)? Have already asked Health Visitor & GP with no luck. Also I don't think that NHSDirect would help either. Any Govt. organisation can only promote the triple vaccine because they wish maintain the argument that it is 110% safe. (Cynical, I know, but I worked as an SO at MAFF during BSE - John Gummer and the beef burger)

Worlass, try calling the number I gave below, they do outreach clinics all over the country so may have one within reach. Good luck.

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Perfect timing for this board.... as it is making headlines today... what do you think of the BMC for wanting to "punish" this doctor in Worcester for giving single doses... doesn't this feel like a Big Brother state ????

Why don't we all bombard Downing Street with emails telling them how we feel? If they get so many their computer might just break down as it did with the White House - worth a go!

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Lisav, unfortunately it seems impossible to e~mail the PM... probably for just the reason you suggest...but I understand your sentiments. It is definately a good idea to get writing and voicing these issues. It appears there is a clear concensus of parents who want the vaccinations but don't want the MMR. As ever it all comes down to money!!

Having battled through MMR with my first, I am now horrified to discover the issue with mercury and the pertusis/hib etc vacccine given to babies at 2, 3 and 4 months.

Does anyone know where I can get a doctor to order the mercury free form of this vaccine (my GP won't do anything because of the cases of the GPs who prescribed single MMr vaccines currently before the General Medical Council)

I have just received the date through for my sons MMR. I thought the age for this vaccination was nearer 18 months, he will be just past his first birthday. Does anybody know if this is too soon.
Might ring the docs on Monday.