Pneumococcial infection- new jab

[prufrock]

My mother has just called me in a blind panic to say taht I should make sure dd gets a jab against pnemococcial (sp?) infection as a group called RAPID (raising awareness of pn.. infectious diseases) has published figures that show that children in daycare are more likely to get this potentially fatal illness. My first thought was "just another stick to beat up working mothers etc.." but does anyone have anymore info? I'm off to search the web now but thought I would try you wonderful lot first - especially as I have o idea how to spell it

I read this too, I think it's a jab against pneumoccocal meningitis. I asked my doctor if dd should have this and he said that as she wasn't in a high-risk group he thought not. However, dd isn't in day-care and the article definitely seemed to say that children in day-care were more at risk. I think that you can get the jab privately, and the Menigitis Trust have a website and enquiry page where you can ask for more info on this. My feeling is that I don't want dd to have unnecessary vaccinations so for the moment I'm going with my g.p.'s advice. HTH

Don't in any way want to scare monger (or start any arguments), but as many of you know my 10 month old son, Harvey died of pneumococcal meningitis. It is notoriously difficult to diagnose. Harvey was in day care three days a week. he had been in day care for three months. I think absolutely each to their own, but I wish I could turn back time and have given him the jab. The only other real illness my son had was an ear infection, I think these are very much related to the pneumococcus infection.(Do a search to look at the recent meningitis thread also)

Thank you Bobbins.

prufrock, I had my son vaccinated in the usa for the most common cause of meningitis there. I'm not positive, but I think it was the pneumococcal vaccine. Not only did he have no adverse side effects from the vaccine, but he hasn't had an ear infection since and he used to get a bad one with every cold. My paediatrician there felt very strongly about giving this vaccine (I think it's mandatory in the usa) and given bobbins experience, I even more relieved that I chose to give it to him.

thank you all. Have had a search an in teh UK they only recommend to highrisk groups. However in USA and France its a pretty standard thing. I will discuss with gp at next appointment.

Bobbins - I feel bad for bringing this up now - I didn't make the connection with Harvey. Your post sounds as if you are verging on guilt for not having give him the jab and you do know that's complete c**p don't you?

Hey prufock....no way you should feel bad and yes I know that is an utter pile of poo..to feel guilty over it, everything runs round your head at some point though.

About 50 people die in they UK a year form this infection, not sure how many survive that contract it. It is considered quite a rare form of meningitis.

I think you can insist on it if you want your GP to give the jab. I'm afraid that due to my personal evperience I would, but I think that would be understandable. I am at present worried about lightening striking twice. There has been some pressure on UK gov. to introduce the vacc. routinely, but its controversial and expensive (about £100 a head).

if you look on that other thread I mentioned, there are a couple of interesting links. Good luck with your decision

Here's the link to the other thread

I just went downstairs to double check my son's red book. Yes it was the pneumococcal vaccine that he got in the usa. I remember telling my gp about it here and she had never even heard of it. According to the literature that the us paediatrician gave me at the time (official Center for Disease Control leaflet), pneumococcal disease is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the usa. It says that children under the age of 2 are at highest risk. It also says that pneumococcal diseases are hard to treat and result in 200 deaths a year in children under 5 (not clear whether this is a world-wide or just us figure). It is particularly recommended for among other things children in daycare and children of african descent. It says that the vaccine only lasts 3 years, but since the greatest risk is for children under 2 years, they don't necessarily suggest re-vaccinating later on. The cdc website (which would have american based info on this and other vaccines is www.cdc.gov/nip.
Bobbins, as prufrock said, of course you shouldn't feel guilty (i know easier said than done)....how were you to know. People (and gp's) don't really seem to be aware of the vaccine here. I only got it done because my american paediatrician told me about it (and the chicken pox vaccine) and I go to the usa regularly enough to have it done.
Though next time around, I will certainly pay to have my dd done here so that I can have it done at a younger age (my ds wasn't done until he was 11 mo.).

Bobbins totally agree, please don't feel guilty. And thank you for your help and advice.

SofiaAmes, thanks for your info. My g.p. is very much a believer in the official line on things so I think I need a second opinion. he did say that pneumoccocal meningitis was easier to treat than other sorts which I'm beginning to doubt.