MMR - can they get measles still?

[fletchie]

Really quick question -
Have a 16 month old who had MMR 7 weeks ago. She has been unwell lately and now developed a rash that looks very much like measles to me. Could this be possible? Am waiting for NHS Direct to get back to me but are taking an age.
She has been in contact with measles as a friends little boy has had it.
Thanks x

She may be amongst the 10% or so in whom the vaccine was not effective. (That's why a second dose is given later, to catch up the ones in whom it didn't work first time.) I hope all turns out well.

Your child has only had one MMR jab I assume??
From the gov website www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk/basics/twodoses.php

After the first dose, between 5% and 10% of children are not protected against the diseases. After two doses of MMR, less than 1% are left unprotected.

I think so - that's why they have a booster for children who didn't develop sufficient immunity after their first jab. Hope she's OK. (Don't let all the scare stories about measles worry you, serious complications are rare and, according to my mother's generation who saw an awful lot of measles, basic good nursing is what kids need).

Measles is a good strengthener of immunity.

I know a 5 year old that recently had measles despite having the MMR and the booster. They only had it mildly though.

Thanks for all your speedy replies - you're all a damn sight quicker than NHS Direct!
Am taking her up to see an emergency doctor - fingers crossed!

"Measles is a good strengthener of immunity."

I don't want to start a debate on this, but what do you mean? Measles is a good strengthener of immunity against measles, nothing else. As is the vaccine when it works.

i heard on the radio the other day that vaccinations only worked if there were enough people immunised

otherwise the disease could sneak in even to children who had had their jabs; the disease was only 'put off' by 'collective' immunisation

there were experts on - it was Radio 2 not some shammy local station

I remember back in 1988 when my ds1 had his mmr jab.
Around 2 weeks later he was unwell and had quite badly swollen glands. I took him to the GP who said that he had mumps. I said - How? he had his mmr about 2weeks ago. Gp then got a book from under desk and asked me if I had noticed any other symptoms and proceeded to make notes. It would appear he had developed mild mumps as a result of the vaccine or so that is what I was told.
DD (15) has recently had mmr booster at school. 2 days later she came up in a large egg shaped swollen gland at back of her neck. I assumed it was the mumps part of the vaccine that had caused it. Probably should have taken her to the gp but she was well otherwise. After a week and half the lump started to settle. In fact, just remembering it, I must look to make sure that it's gone.

So I'm not sure whether similar can happen with the measles part.

I think you've misunderstood what they were saying cap.

fletchie- was she exposed a few weeks ago? She may not have developed full immunity at time of exposue, don't worry too much, if she was vaccinated 7 weeks ago she'l likely to have a very mild dose, and will have very good immunity afterwards. some extra vitamin A from a couple of doses of good quality cod liver oil will help as well.

you can get measles after the mmr- but usually after 3 weeks - 7's a bit long.

Jimjams, you need to change your name, you're so not keeping offthevaxthreads! (I've been meaning to post that to you for a while )

oh people say that all the time. I should change it to keeping off mumsnet really, would do my blood pressure a lot more good. In this case though wanrted to post about the vitamin A and positive aspecs of getting a mild dose of natural measles post vaccination (probably the best way to get immunity tbh).

'otherwise the disease could sneak in even to children who had had their jabs; the disease was only 'put off' by 'collective' immunisation'

that makes no sense. measles doesn't 'sneak in' - it's ALWAYS been there in the population. it's not been eradicated.

90-95% of those who are immunised w/two doses are immune - although the verdict's still out on for how long. but 5-10% of those who are and are then exposed will develop the disease.

dh didn't have MMR - it wasn't available in the UK when he was a child - born 1977. he has been exposed to measles numerous times and didn't get the disease.

his brother, on the contrary, had all his pertussis vaccines and still got pertussis when he was 6.

after i had the rubella jsb at school - i had rubella.

Was fine, but had to be kept in at home because of risk to others.

Hope your LO is ok.

after i had the rubella jsb at school - i had rubella.

Was fine, but had to be kept in at home because of risk to others.

Hope your LO is ok.

fletchie, hope your DD is not feeling too poorly.
I think I've read that if you get measles after being vacinated you generally only get a mild form. Can't vouch for where I read this now but fingers crossed.

Re the pertussis comment - that's whooping cough isn't it?- I think there are lots of different strains and they only immunise for the common one. So you could stil get a different version.

Ds3(2.8) has had a temp,runny eyes and mildly runny nose for 36 hours.Thought nothing of it as the other 2 have had viral throat infections in the last week.This morning he has developed a rash over his face,chest and top of his back.
So off to the docs we go at 11.I'll let you know what the verdict is when I get back.
I'm hoping for neurotic mum syndrome and a child with a throat infection and heat rash because we were at a BBQ on Saturday where he was mixing with a lot of children.
Mine are all vaccinated but I don't know about the other kids.

Smashing!In the 20 mins since my last post it has spread down his body!

I didn't misunderstand what they were saying

they said it over and over again because everyone was so surprised

I'm not stupid

the discussion was around the fact that as a society, to eradicate the chance of such diseases taking hold, there has to be a minimum uptake

otherwise children who have been immunised can still get it

'I think there are lots of different strains and they only immunise for the common one. So you could stil get a different version.'

that's true, Vivi.

my mother had it as a child and then got a persistent cough - NO other symptoms - in her early 60s. which they finally found out was pertussis - her dr., however, thinks it was mild in her - and some other older adults in the area - b/c they had had another strain as children.

cap- children who have been immunised but not developed immunity- so they are exactly the same as children who have not been immunised. If the vaccination has worked in the way it should have then an immunised child will not get measles, even if every other child around him or her gets it.

Bet they didn't mentuion a big threat to UK herd immunity comes from not giving an MMR booster in the teens.

they did mention the teenage thing actually yes

I'm sure the programme will be on the web to listen to again, it was Jeremy Vine on Radio 2 on either Monday or Tuesday morning

if you really don't believe me

I've just remembered that when Ds1 was a toddler he was diagnosed with a "measles-type" virus.
Now I read that the vaccine is ineffective in 5-10% until the booster I'm not so sure.

Ds3 is looking more measley by the minute here.

It's not that I don't believe you,I know what they were saying, but if a vaccination has worked then a child in contact with measles won't get it, full stop. If it hasn't worked then they are at the same risk as an unvaccinated child. Traditionally they say that 95$% coverage is needed for herd immunity against measles, but the americal experience of measles outbreaks in 100% vaccinated populations revealed the importance of booster jabs in teens (and forever) if you decide to vaccinate against a childhood disease. It's good if they are thinking about introducing teen booster- will keep expat happy/