Immunisation dilemma

[NotABanana]

My first 2 children have had the single MMR jabs.

My youngest will be 3 next month and he hasn't had them yet. I wanted to wait longer with him as I have always felt he was more vunerable. My husband mentioned it this morning and I know we have to get him done but I just can't shake this feeling that it isn't right for him.

I know that all the diseases could have serious consequences for him or others but I have this nagging thing telling me not to do it, maybe yet.

If he was going to develop autism, would he have done so by now? Clearly there are some who think they are linked, others don't, and that isn't really want I want to talk about. I am trying to find out what sort of age it is diagnosed and maybe see what age would be best for DS2 to have the jabs. BTW If he was to become autistic it would make no difference to us, just that we want to know what are options are really. (feel like this has come out all wrong but hopefully you will know what I mean.)

Help please.

My understanding is that it is usually diagnosed by age 4, but that signs are there well beforehand. I thought this link www.bridges4kids.org/articles/1-03/EP12-02.html might be helpful - the 5 signs might help you to rule it out. With my cousin, who has mild Aspergers, we could clearly see that there was something different even when he was quite a small baby (incessant screaming, he hated being held & cuddled even as a baby, no eye contact as an older baby/toddler).

Why do you feel he is more vulnerable to a vaccine reaction? Does he have allergy/immune problems? Is there a history of it in your family?

It's totally your decision. If you want my opinion FWIW, if he doesn't have any serious allergies or immune problems, no family history etc, then I'd go for the single vac's starting with measles. There's so much measles about at the mo. Hope you find a decision you're comfortable with!

I haven't had chance to look at the link yet (thanks for it) as doing the kid's tea, but if we were to wait until just after 4. would he still have to have a preschool booster?

NAB
My son regressed after his vaccine at 18months. I was talking to a friend this morning whose son regressed at 3 1/2. Some people feel their kids showed signs from very early on. Others arn't aware until differences become apparent as they get older. I think average age for diagnosis is 5 but the process is lengthy.

And btw don't worry about being PC. whilst you wouldn't love him any less it totally would make a difference to you if he developed autism.

If he has no immunity problems and hasn't reacted to other jabs and no history of stomach/bowel issues then you are probably fine.
(And finally my DD hasn't had any jabs so you don't have to get any of them done although you may well feel you want to).
I am sure you will be fine whatever you decide

My reasons for thinking him as more vulnerable probably have no relation to the possible impact of the jab, it is just how I feel.

pagwatch, thanks for getting me! Of course it would make a difference to our lives, I just meant it wouldn't matter. We thought he was going to have a disability so we have had to have serious thoughts before now. Goodness, making this worse aren't I?

no not at all NAB !
I do know what you mean.
I remember being pregnant with DD and someone asking me about my concerns at DD having problems ( because of DS2's history and because I am ancient ). I said " we will be absoloutely fine if our baby has any kind of difficulties or disability". What a blinkin stupid thing to say. We were ready for that possibility and we knew it would not affect our love for our child but 'fine' was pretty trite.

I did know what you meant

Thank you.

Have to go. DD crying. See other thread

I'm unconvinced about the autism link, but you might want to look into other reasons for not choosing to immunise. In my experience (neither my siblings or myself were immunised and I chose not to immunise my two) it is a pretty tricky decision either way but I'm glad I made the decision I did. Good luck!

We feel as the other 2 have had the jabs that littlie has to have them as well. I jsut don't feel right about them.

Have to go and bath Dd now. Has wet herself in a temper.

I haven't read it all but have looked at the 5 pointer sentences. He does all those things. I have no worries about him being autistic now, I was trying to work out - if autism is always dx by the age of 3 then I would have him immunised after 3. Does that make sense?