mmr booster - is it absolutely necessary?

[wannaBe1974]

Most of ds' preschool friends have had their mmr boosters now, but as I'm at a different surgery, it would seem we've been overlooked and as I haven't had a reminder about it I haven't got round to actually booking it. I'm reluctant to do so because:

1. I don't like the thought of taking my 4 year old to the surgery and making him have an injection now that he understands very well what is going to happen to him. Silly I know, but it was all very well when he was a baby and could have the injection and I could cuddle him better and it was all over - part of me just feels horrid explaining to a 4 yo that someone's going to stick a needle in him. (irassional I know).

1. He didn't react particularly well to the mmr. Nothing severe, but he was unwell about a week after, high temperature and screaming etc and although it was only a few days I really don't wrelish the thought of putting him through all that again - do they react to boosters as well?

I am generally pro vaxination, but I don't want to give him something if he doesn't really need it.

Can I get his imunity tested before making him go through vaxination again?

No mmr debates please

he is probably due the pre-school boosters aswell though - has he had those yet? (tetanus, diptheria...that lot)

What about a blood tests to see if he is immune?

The preschool booster is to catch the 10% of kids that it didn't work for in the first place, afaik.

should also say if you don't like the idea of an injection, then having a blood test is definitely not for you - it is far worse - they have to find a vein and then keep the needle in while they take the blood out. Not easy!

mine both reacted to the first MMR but not the booster

For a minority the initial jab doesn't create immunity. fwiw dd was ill after the first but not the second . Getting them to cough as the needle goes in worked with ours and perhaps a treat for being brave.