immunisation

[Linz2]

n a bit of a dilemma about which vaccine to give my 15 month old next. He had his PCV in January and elected to pay for singles jabs instead of MMR at Breakspear Day Hospital in Hemel Hempstead and had his measles jab in February 4 weeks after PCV. The nurse was very thorough and advised that his next jab would be Rubella as the strains of measles and mumps are strong and therefore need a larger gap. However she noted that my son had been given PCV and advised that the manufacturer of this vaccine advises 2 does for under two's with 2 month gap and suggested that we give him 2nd dose of this next and then Rubella 6 weeks later and Mumps last. I have spoken with a doctor at the Health Protection Agency who advise NHS policy that because my son had PCV after 1 year of age then his one dose of is sufficient and advised not to delay Rubella. I have also since found on NHS immunisation website that my son should have had a booster hib/men c around 12 months (asked HV about this at the time and advised doesn't need it!!)Have booked him in for this week which unfortunately will delay the next jab whether it be PCV or Rubella. Would really appreciate anyones thoughts on this subject to help make my decision

Linz

that is so complicated I am hestiant to give any advice.

What I will say is that I too opted for single MMR jabs and was told that they do not need a booster (unlike the combined MMR). I think the 12month booster has been bought in because of an increase in one of the diseases and this was done as a precaution - my dd (now 4) had it but my son (now 7) did not.

All from my foggy memory - hope some one more lucid comes along soon.

to clarify - the 12month hib/menc etc booster

Thanks dimpledthighs, I have him booked in for Hib/Men C booster, my dilemma is more to do with the 2nd dose of PCV, is the booster necessary as per NHS advice? If I have the 2nd dose of PCV do I give it before the rubella/mumps or after?

hi - i've also been confused by this as my dd had PCV in Jan and went to the Breakspear for single measles a week ago. I was led to understand when she had PCV that she only needed the one - but i read on the board at the Breakspear that they needed 2? As i understand it you were also told by the NHS that they only needed one PCV if they had it after the age of one?

I have also got to book the Hib/men booster. That will be next.

I had a long chat with the lady who gave my dd the jab at the Breakspear and she seemed to be saying that Mumps was a bigger issue than Rubella and that if i waited 3 months i could have Mumps second. However i still have to leave it 6 weeks or so to have the Hib/Men booster of course. I think in terms of risk levels and prioritising which jabs first then the Hib/Men is more of an issue than either mumps or rubella.

Its mad having to fit all these in..

ps meant to say - if you did decide to have another PCV then given that you only had the first one in Jan, I wouldnt think you need to be in too much of a hurry?

Thanks jasperc163, no problem about hib/menc he is booked in for next week and then 6 weeks later I need to decide whether I have the PCV or the next of the singles MMR (need to clarify with Breakspear which is second from what you have said. I hear what you are saying about not
being in a hurry about the PCV, but the nurse we saw knew that he had his first PCV in Jan and it was her suggestion to have the 2nd dose before the mumps/rubella! Therefore would you have the PCV next?
By the way I am really pleased we chose the Breakspear they were very thorough with the information before giving the jabs and we also recieved some great advice on my sons excema, which does appear to be improving on the products they suggested.

linz2
I am still very confused about the PCV issue? I was told when she was given her first in Jan (NHS) that she only needed one. The advice on NHS website appears to back that up. The Breakspear is the only place i have heard of saying that they need 2 after 1yr old?

Is this the same as you have heard ie contradiction between Breakspear and NHS? If so, i am inclined to go with NHS theory on this as they are not exactly known for their reticence in saying additional jabs are needed and i'm not in a hurry to add yet another to the mix!

alice

hi jasperc163, yes that is the problem the contradiction between the Breakspear and NHS. I hear what your saying about NHS and additional jabs so to go with their theory but then why are we not having MMR? I think I am probably leaning towards not having 2nd PCV glad I have another 6 weeks to think about it. Who said our little darlings are a bundle of joy, more like a bundle of worry!!

Hi, jasperc163. Just checked another private company called Direct Remedies who we also considered for singles MMR and they also suggest two does of PCV if if first jab started between 12-23 months with 6 to 8 week gap. What do you think?

Linz
Did they give a reason? For example i understood that the rationale for the new Hib/Men C booster is that the others were given pre 1yr and that at this age they are less likely to form more lasting immunity. Hence with the PVC the NHS are saying you need more than one jab if you have it pre 1yr but only one if after 1yr?

I am taking DD to GP this morning so might try and ask her (might get slightly more sense than from the HV)

Hi, alice. I have spoken to Breakspear again today regarding 2nd PCV and the nurse stated that they have been using Prevenar well before NHS and they suggest two doses between 12-23 months as per the manufacturer. The nurse that I spoke with today did say that they had tried to contact NHS regarding the matter but the NHS did not want to comment. The nurse did also say that they have had some people in that have been given two doses at their local surgery, which to me suggests a matter of cost. Having also spoken today with a new young doctor at my local surgery who did suggest possible that NHS are looking at cost, but then he did suggest that maybe vaccine used by Breakspear is a weak vaccine, which the nurse assured me that this is not the case. I have now at long last made the decision to have 2nd PCV before Rubella and mumps as the nurse put my mind at rest that although not very comfortable rubella is a mild viral illness and it was just her opinion as a mother that her worry is more about the seriousness of the pneumoccal infection. I haven't spoken with Direct Remedies yet (other private company we considered) who also suggests two doses, but they also use prevenar so would imagine down to manufacturer advice.

thanks Linz. Useful to know. Hib C booster is next anyway...