Jabs worry. Too much too young?

[evenhope]

OK I'm not against vaccination and I intend to have them done BUT why is it 8 weeks? My others had the diptheria, tetanus and whooping cough jab at 12 weeks when they were a bit more solid. DD2 is due to have hers tomorrow but I've got serious reservations. It seems like too much too young (to quote the Specials). Would it matter to put it off for a couple of weeks? There's no-one to ask because the official line from HV and Dr is that it's OK.

I know there's been a similar thread recently but I've searched and can't find it.

Not going to get into the vaccine debate, I'm sure there will be lots of other people to do that, but ds was 6 weeks early and so was effectively 2 weeks old when he had his first jabs and was tiny (the doctor had to get out a specially small needle) - I wish he had been as solid as an 8 week old! Prem babies are jabbed at 8 weeks from their birthday as long as they are well enough, I saw some very very tiny ones being done in SCBU.

I'm sure if you decide the right thing to do is wait you will be able to do so, just might have to stand your ground with hv/gp!

I agree with you. I just accidentally missed my appointment and then called to reschedule and was conveniently unavailable for about 4 weeks. So, his jabs were 3, 4, and 5 months rather than 2, 3, and 4.

you can just rearrange.

dd2+3 were jabbed late and more spaced out. dd3 was done very late due to personal circumstances at the time and dh being in hospital. she had her MMR at 2.

It's only 8 weeks because the system 'catches' more people that way, I believe, not a 'medical' reason

It's completely fine to put it off for a bit. Follow your instincts

Mine is 14 weeks and hasn't had any yet. He will though, just not yet, as his tummy was affected by something else and I want to give his system a rest. I don't think its essential to do it 8, 12, 16 at all, like saintmaybe says, it just catches more people like that

I had all mine done at 12, 16 & 20 weeks. Ds2 didn't start his until 16 weeks - he'd been very ill as a newborn and I didn't want any more drugs in him at 12 weeks. If you want to wait a bit, then just cancel the appointment and reschedule. I would imagine the risks of postponing for a couple of weeks are pretty minimal.

Thanks everyone for your reassurance. I don't know why I feel uneasy about it but as I do I think I will cancel and put it off for a couple of weeks.

I think it may be good for a baby to let the immune system develop naturally for a while before you start injecting foreign substances into it. I have no scientific evidence to support this claim. But, I prefer to err on the side of caution when it comes to my kids' health.

Don't let anybody make you feel bad about delaying injections. I mean is it really that urgent? What ar the increased risks of putting it off for say a few weeks or maybe even a a couple of months.

DS will be 2 next week, and he has had the measels jab, but not the other two components of the MMR. He'll have them... when I get around to it... and have an extra £70 to spend on a jab. But, I'm not in a big hurry.

Oh good grief. I just read your profile and learned that you have five kids. Well, you certainly don't need take advice from me. I'm sure you know what you are doing.

The official line is that it will be okay. If HV and Dr think it's okay at eight weeks, they are surely going to think it's still okay at 12.

In some other countries more is given even earlier. But I know how you feel, I felt wrong putting all that into such a tiny baby and delayed all mine a bit. I think sometimes you jsut have to go with your instincts.

my ds had his first just now at 12 weeks that was down to hv putting if off not me!