Hib Booster

[Mocha]

Today I received a letter from our doctors surgery advising that my 9 1/2 month old daughter is due to have the new Hib booster. This has been introduced for all babies who were 6 months or older on 1st April this year due to the increase in cases of Hib meningitis.

I just wondered what everyone thinks of this.

Sorry Jimjams, didn't mean to 'drop you in it'.

No worries furball

Actually I hope LucieB comes back - I want to know more! When you are given the diagnosis you are told in no uncertian terms that this is a life sentence and not to go looking for a cure (actually I think that is said to protect you as there are people out there all too willing to accept money in return for dubious therapy). This is particularly true of those children born autistic. I do know adults who function pretty well in society- some even have partners and children, but I haven't really come across any who would say it had left them totally. (except the two I've laready mentioned) and even those very successful adult autistics like Temple Grandin are still very autistic! You know I always have half an eye on the future and wonder what I should be aiming for, so I am very interested to hear more about her sister. The above applies to autism not Aspergers- Aspergers often do very well.

Actually - sorry this is totally hijacking the thread but I hate it when they say "it is a lifelong disability" 2 seconds after diagnosing a 3 year old as the parents then think "oh god they're going to be screaming, non-verbal, poo smearing, not toilet trained at 30". In some cases that might be true, but it is often a more hopeful picture than that.

Anyway back to Hib! Good luck with whatever you decide furball.

JimJams

Just caught this thread, thanx for being so helpful and knowledgeable.

I have a stepson (20) who is autistic, so when ds was born I got very jumpy about his jabs. He had the combined jabs at 2, 3 and 4 months, with no ill effects at all (not even a bit of temperature), but I really fought when it came to MMR. Fortunately we were in contact with the hospital peadiatrician at the time (cos of MY disabilities), and when I said we wanted seperate vaccines or no vaccines at all, she tried very hard to get us seperate vaccines.

In the end the hospital got us seperate rubella and mumps vaccines happily they were given 5 weeks apart). As there was a shortage of supply they couldn't get us the measles vaccine, and since seem to have forgotten. I'm quite happy to leave it at that, although my GP thinks I'm the daughter of satan, and never misses the opportunity to tell me how damaged my son would be if he caught measles (I see a lowish risk of pernanent damage, and still feel prepared to take that risk, dh and I know too much about autism to risk that)

I don't know whether to give this hib booster. ds will be 4 in Sept, and you've suggested under 2 is the main risk group for illness. Ds hasn't had the meningitis jab either (shock all round) as I think the jab was rushed out, and am worried about side-effects emerging long-term.

BTW Am looking forward to the further rows when all other kids have MMR boosters at 4.

YOur GP sounds dreadful easy! Mine asked me for a letter as he was getting hassled. I gave him 3 pages!! He said 2 lines would have done The surgery are great actually. The receptionist rang this week to say ds1 is due his pre-school check with the Dr. I said he's not expecting to give him any jabs is he?" and she said "oh no no don't worry about that we know he's not getting any".

Measles can be nasty. But as you said normally isn't. I had it when I was 8. I remember when I was still in quarantine I was sent to play with my friend who had whooping cough!!! We had a great time- still reminisce about it today. I remember her Mum taking us to a local butchers and I put my hands on the counter - she (my friend's mum) said "get your hands off there- you've got measles" in a really loud voice. Could you imagine what would happen today???

I know measles can be nasty, but I asked my mother to ask around all her friends, and I've asked everyone I know, None of us can honestly say they know of a child being permanently damaged by it.

Bearing in mind that my mum is of the pre-war generation,when kids routinely got measles, I would have thought that makes complications very rare indeed (esp in fit healthy well-fed children in the developed world, different in the congo etc.)

I agree totally easy. My mum did suffer complications (deaf in one ear now) but she hardly batted an eyelid when I got it. No one did - this was 1979. I have a family health book dating from the mid 1980's - it describes measles as a childhood illness which is "usually mild". Recent research has shown that additional vitamin A reduces the illness and number of complications- even in those who are malnourished.

The thing that worries me most about MMR (more than the autism link really) is that the children who are most at risk are those under 2. Because everyone used to get measles (as it is so infectious) all babies were born with immunity (passed from mother to baby via the placenta) it was extremely rare for an infant to get measles. I know my boys have been protected in this way (as I had it). However the length of time the MMR lasts is under question (I believe the States has introduced a teenage booster) and I really worry that means lots of babies will be born without maternal protection. As measles outbreaks have been recorded as having occurred in 100% vaccinated populations I find the whole thing worrying.

Anyway keep watching easy- the govt now wants to introduce chickenpox vaccine (given at same time as MMR) - watch that mutate into a killer disease. Actually it probably will as it will mean adults will get it when it's much nastier.