Fitness for MMR?

[Pammym]

My DS has suffered from a recurrent ear infection for the last 3 months and we are in the process of getting referred to a specialist. He has had numerous courses of anti b's and is currently on a long term, low dose regime (for next 3 weeks).

I have an appt for his MMR for tomorrow morning and I am unsure whether or not I should go for it. I have already postponed twice due to said ear infection. Dr reckons it is ok as long as he doesn't have a fever on the day but one of the HV's at the surgery says that a child should be 100% fit before vaccinating.

Any advice/experience?

My ds is the same had recurrent ear infections for last 3 months, i have cancelled to appt for his mmr. My hv told me he needed to be off anti b's for a week before he could have jab. Hope that helps.

Yes i think they're not supposed to have it if they are poorly. His body is already fighting an infection and may not have the strength for all those viruses. If you come under undue pressure it may help if you don't just cancel the appointment but make a fresh one for a month/six weeks time, which you can do if he is well. After all, you don't know why the ear infection is hanging around.. maybe his immune system is exhausted right now.

I would be particularly careful wrt recurrent ear infections and MMR tbh. Doubly so if he's recently been on antibiotics for them.

put it off until he is really well and off antiobiotics i would.

how old is he anyway? though you get your card through when they are about 12 months old, my ds's immunologist admitted getting the MMR is much more effective between 15 and 18 months.

I would wait until he is off the antibiotics and clear of the infection, however long that takes.

I'm a practice nurse and prefer to vaccinate healthy children - I would give them the jab if they just had a runny nose for example, but not anything more.

Thanks everyone. I have cancelled his appt for this morning and, after reading all your replies just now, I feel I have definitely made the right decision. Have just had an appt for consultant through too and it is next week so will see what she says about everyting.

Ruty - he is just 14 months old so it is interesting to hear what you say about effective age for the vaccination.

I appreciate all your advice.

Pammym.

Hope he gets well soon x

This may or may not be interesting to you. (I am not a doctor.)

Gave up all paracetamol and anti-biotics for recurrent ear infection in a 4-month-old. Watched him (sleepless obviously, did the cool bath and lots of water to stop dehydration) have a horrible two days. His immune system was allowed to work on its own and cured him. Not a single ear infection in the eight years since.

But as I say I am not a doctor. His temp went up over 102. Not for everybody. Best wishes x

no he was nearer six months
anyway hope it goes well with consultant

Thanks for that Sweetnessandlight - certainly worth thinking about but not sure I am brave enough!