Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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GP’s manner over babies vaccines

279 replies

SLiath · 21/08/2024 15:23

I just had a voicemail from a woman at my GP’s practice. The only way to describe her tone is condescending. She asked if I had a chance to speak with “hubby” about getting immunisations for my two twins. I am a single mother. I had the first round which made them very poorly and declined the second for the time being I was concerned for their health. They were born premature and we spent 5 weeks in NICU so didn’t want anything impacting their feeding. She then stated with a very snarky tone that if I was not having them immunised I need to go to the practice to sign a form because the “child health surveillance team keeps emailing her.” I have had some hesitance to get the vaccines due to some mistrust in the NHS. This voicemail has now increased that trust. Has anyone had a similar experience?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
viques · 21/08/2024 18:11

spongelover · 21/08/2024 17:28

Just a note to people who are pro vaccine... have you even looked up the data? Do you understand the probability of the diseases and mortality rate? It's very low, just saying do your own research and don't quote BBC news or NHS website

Have you ever googled pictures of children with measles? Do you understand that the mortality rate in the UK is low precisely because we have a history of vaccination take up? Have you wondered why parents in third world countries will move heaven and earth to get their babies vaccinated, and what happens to those babies when they aren’t vaccinated?

Have you ever researched the way killer diseases like smallpox ( eradicated) and polio ( close to eradication) have been largely conquered by vaccination?

I am old enough to remember a huge polio outbreak in the fifties, people were terrified, fortunately the polio vaccine was widely available, I remember people queuing up outside vaccination centres, many people, especially children, died, or were left disabled.

My great uncle died of TB, another illness that is largely absent from the UK. Again eradicated by vaccination.

There used to be entire hospitals dedicated to treating diseases like TB and polio, and many other infectious diseases involved patients being admitted to isolation wards to stop infection within their community.

pinkfleece · 21/08/2024 18:12

Greybobblyowl · 21/08/2024 17:54

OP likely had her whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy so they will have some protection from that. You could rephrase you reponse to be kinder eg ‘whooping cough is prevalent and dangerous for babies currently - if you’re going to get vaccinated maybe make that vaccine a priority’ rather than being harsh

She might not have done. Uptake is about 60%, less in some areas.

pinkfleece · 21/08/2024 18:13

Greybobblyowl · 21/08/2024 17:54

OP likely had her whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy so they will have some protection from that. You could rephrase you reponse to be kinder eg ‘whooping cough is prevalent and dangerous for babies currently - if you’re going to get vaccinated maybe make that vaccine a priority’ rather than being harsh

Harsh was intentional, she's risking her babies' lives.

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Makingchocolatecake · 21/08/2024 18:14

Esssa · 21/08/2024 18:07

It isn't a single vaccine given to pregnant women. It's the same one they give to babies 6 in 1.

Just looked it up- ‘6-in-1’ vaccine is for babies, Infanrix hexa/Vaxelis

3 in 1 for pregnancy, Adacel.

I'm annoyed they vaccinated me for diphtheria and tetanus without me knowing. I would have said yes if they asked, just want to know what I am having!

Sirzy · 21/08/2024 18:15

viques · 21/08/2024 18:11

Have you ever googled pictures of children with measles? Do you understand that the mortality rate in the UK is low precisely because we have a history of vaccination take up? Have you wondered why parents in third world countries will move heaven and earth to get their babies vaccinated, and what happens to those babies when they aren’t vaccinated?

Have you ever researched the way killer diseases like smallpox ( eradicated) and polio ( close to eradication) have been largely conquered by vaccination?

I am old enough to remember a huge polio outbreak in the fifties, people were terrified, fortunately the polio vaccine was widely available, I remember people queuing up outside vaccination centres, many people, especially children, died, or were left disabled.

My great uncle died of TB, another illness that is largely absent from the UK. Again eradicated by vaccination.

There used to be entire hospitals dedicated to treating diseases like TB and polio, and many other infectious diseases involved patients being admitted to isolation wards to stop infection within their community.

I think this is part of the problem. We have got too complacent and that has led to some people not realising the true risks.

I am 40 and thankfully other than one friend of my Dads who had been very ill from polo and had life long impacts I have never witnessed first hand the awfulness of these diseases. I am grateful to the vaccines for that but I do wonder if it has made some not see the very real risk. Sadly that risk is becoming even more due to low take up rates

Otherstories2002 · 21/08/2024 18:15

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Greybobblyowl · 21/08/2024 18:16

pinkfleece · 21/08/2024 18:13

Harsh was intentional, she's risking her babies' lives.

Harsh is not going to help a new twin mum with babies just out of NICU and having had a reaction the first vaccines.

Have you ever heard that story about the sun and the wind having an argument who can get a man to take his coat off first ? The wind blew and blew as hard as it could the man held his coat tighter. The sun then gently warmed him and he took it off himself. I apply that principle to a lot in life and find it generally works best.

Otherstories2002 · 21/08/2024 18:16

Borninabarn32 · 21/08/2024 15:45

People telling you're wrong and you should do it even though you feel uncomfortable isn't going to help.

So, split the vaccines so they just have one at a time.

Also, if they're premature, go when they weigh the same as an average child having that vaccine. So the 12 month vaccines, don't go at 12 months. Go when your baby is the weight of an average 12 month old.

You're trying to do the best you can for your babies, and the best is finding a compromise that works for your children, vaccines are important but you can alter the schedule to fit your individual child better.

Single vaccines are not licensed for use in England.

Greybobblyowl · 21/08/2024 18:17

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Reported

Greybobblyowl · 21/08/2024 18:18

Otherstories2002 · 21/08/2024 18:16

Single vaccines are not licensed for use in England.

Not single ones - just one vaccine at a time 2-4 weeks apart

Otherstories2002 · 21/08/2024 18:19

Greybobblyowl · 21/08/2024 18:17

Reported

You don’t need to announce it. Nor do I care. People who don’t vaccine their children are guilty of neglect.

Otherstories2002 · 21/08/2024 18:19

Greybobblyowl · 21/08/2024 18:18

Not single ones - just one vaccine at a time 2-4 weeks apart

Why?

Greybobblyowl · 21/08/2024 18:21

Otherstories2002 · 21/08/2024 18:19

Why?

This was what we did after meeting with the gp after my dc reactions he said if I wanted to do just one at a time to see which one caused the reaction we could - some he advised 2 weeks apart and another he said to wait 4 weeks . It’s a very individual thing. We had the mmr at hospital at 18 months as well in the day ward to be monitored for a reaction

Greybobblyowl · 21/08/2024 18:22

Otherstories2002 · 21/08/2024 18:19

You don’t need to announce it. Nor do I care. People who don’t vaccine their children are guilty of neglect.

Op seems open to vaccinations she’s just anxious this isn’t an out and proud anti vaxxer we are dealing with here so adjusting how we speak to OP could actually help?

Musicaltheatremum · 21/08/2024 18:23

Makingchocolatecake · 21/08/2024 17:38

Mmmmm..... the reason the diseases are so low is because people are vaccinated.

@Makingchocolatecake I came on to say the same thing. Disease rates low as vaccination rates are high.
Funny that!

Otherstories2002 · 21/08/2024 18:26

Greybobblyowl · 21/08/2024 18:22

Op seems open to vaccinations she’s just anxious this isn’t an out and proud anti vaxxer we are dealing with here so adjusting how we speak to OP could actually help?

I don’t agree. She has opted not to vaccinate vulnerable infants and is here moaning about tone.

Greybobblyowl · 21/08/2024 18:27

Otherstories2002 · 21/08/2024 18:26

I don’t agree. She has opted not to vaccinate vulnerable infants and is here moaning about tone.

We don’t know how old they are but she mentions the first set of vaccines ?

Otherstories2002 · 21/08/2024 18:28

Greybobblyowl · 21/08/2024 18:27

We don’t know how old they are but she mentions the first set of vaccines ?

So?

Greybobblyowl · 21/08/2024 18:30

Otherstories2002 · 21/08/2024 18:28

So?

So

she hasn’t opted not to vaccinate them - they are partially vaccinated and OP needs to find a solution to get back on track with the vaccines - we can help with advice and reassurance?

Otherstories2002 · 21/08/2024 18:35

Greybobblyowl · 21/08/2024 18:30

So

she hasn’t opted not to vaccinate them - they are partially vaccinated and OP needs to find a solution to get back on track with the vaccines - we can help with advice and reassurance?

She does yes. It means getting them done. Not worrying about a receptionist who’s right judging.

pimmpomm · 21/08/2024 18:38

Get your children vaccinated ffs!

Greybobblyowl · 21/08/2024 18:41

No surprise OP hasn’t been back! Hopefully she’s read the sensible replies

ImWearingPantaloons · 21/08/2024 18:48

Vaccinate your kids.

No time for all this anti vax nonsense....

theworldsmad · 21/08/2024 18:53

Ah I'm sorry op. I hate the way people talk about vaccines and the lack of knowledge, not just from the public (ie mumsnetters) but health practitioners in general.
For example, we know that once you contract TB it never really goes away, it just stays latent in your body. I asked my GP as well as nurse whether this is the same with the vaccine, they couldn't answer. I just wanted to know! They just spout the condescending 'go and research the illnesses ant think whether you want your child to get that'.
I have, thank you Jane but I've also researched the vaccines and know that certain vaccines for example improve all cause mortality and others worsen it. (Ie children are more likely to die from other causes after they've received certain vaccines). Can br the other way around as well. Measles vaccine is an example of a vaccine that improves all cause mortality. So children in Africa die less after receiving the measles vaccine at a rate more than what you would expect- you would expect them not to die from measles but now they're overall dying less. And some vaccines like I said inexplicably increases child mortality. ( They improve the rates for the specific illness, but cause higher mortality overall )
And we're only now really starting to research it. Esp since COVID since the COVID vax was so controversial.
It was the first time people actually started to think about childhood vaccines and how they've increased dramatically in the past few decades.
I wish our health care workers were able to explain it more but all they know and get taught is 'children should get their vaccines'. Theyre not taught to think critically.

Another example is the rota virus vaccine. My son was born abroad and so I am only remembering this country's vax schedule. Anyway they give rotavirus at 8 and 12 weeks. And if a child for some reason hasn't gotten their rota virus vax before a certain cut off point (I think it's 20 weeks) then you don't give it anymore. (Because it's given to kids because their immune system isn't fully developed, after a certain point kids are generally robust enough to not have e problem with rota virus - it's just diarrhea).
Anyway when my daughter was born it was during heavy lockdown. Nobody was allowed in or out our house obv. So my daughter couldn't contract rotavirus ( generally spread at soft play or nursery or whatever by child who didn't wipe his hands well and then touches toy, other kids then pop toy in mouth).
When I brought this up obv gp just said every child should receive it etc. No critical thinking that says every medicine or vaccine has a cost. Nothing is cost free. But you weigh it up. Advantages vs disadvantages. Measles kills x amount of babies per year vs VAERS only report x amount of vaccine injuries or negative effects. Other questions to ask are how healthy is baby? ( If sick, baby is more likely to have a negative impact from vaccine) how likely are you to contract it and how bad will effects be( think flu vaccines that are more likely to affect older people vs young healthy male normally dont die from flu.
Yet none of this risk factors are ever taken into account when talking about vaccines. People are just like YOU HAVE TO VACCINATE, HOW DARE YOU NOT? you're a conspiracy theorist et cetera.
When there are legitimate concerns regarding vaccines? I wish they would rather acknowledge the concerns a be able to hold a conversation about it and maybe put my mind at rest. Then I'll happily vaccinate. But now they do t have answers and basically treat you like criminal idiot mom. It's making me more sceptical, not less

Otherstories2002 · 21/08/2024 18:55

theworldsmad · 21/08/2024 18:53

Ah I'm sorry op. I hate the way people talk about vaccines and the lack of knowledge, not just from the public (ie mumsnetters) but health practitioners in general.
For example, we know that once you contract TB it never really goes away, it just stays latent in your body. I asked my GP as well as nurse whether this is the same with the vaccine, they couldn't answer. I just wanted to know! They just spout the condescending 'go and research the illnesses ant think whether you want your child to get that'.
I have, thank you Jane but I've also researched the vaccines and know that certain vaccines for example improve all cause mortality and others worsen it. (Ie children are more likely to die from other causes after they've received certain vaccines). Can br the other way around as well. Measles vaccine is an example of a vaccine that improves all cause mortality. So children in Africa die less after receiving the measles vaccine at a rate more than what you would expect- you would expect them not to die from measles but now they're overall dying less. And some vaccines like I said inexplicably increases child mortality. ( They improve the rates for the specific illness, but cause higher mortality overall )
And we're only now really starting to research it. Esp since COVID since the COVID vax was so controversial.
It was the first time people actually started to think about childhood vaccines and how they've increased dramatically in the past few decades.
I wish our health care workers were able to explain it more but all they know and get taught is 'children should get their vaccines'. Theyre not taught to think critically.

Another example is the rota virus vaccine. My son was born abroad and so I am only remembering this country's vax schedule. Anyway they give rotavirus at 8 and 12 weeks. And if a child for some reason hasn't gotten their rota virus vax before a certain cut off point (I think it's 20 weeks) then you don't give it anymore. (Because it's given to kids because their immune system isn't fully developed, after a certain point kids are generally robust enough to not have e problem with rota virus - it's just diarrhea).
Anyway when my daughter was born it was during heavy lockdown. Nobody was allowed in or out our house obv. So my daughter couldn't contract rotavirus ( generally spread at soft play or nursery or whatever by child who didn't wipe his hands well and then touches toy, other kids then pop toy in mouth).
When I brought this up obv gp just said every child should receive it etc. No critical thinking that says every medicine or vaccine has a cost. Nothing is cost free. But you weigh it up. Advantages vs disadvantages. Measles kills x amount of babies per year vs VAERS only report x amount of vaccine injuries or negative effects. Other questions to ask are how healthy is baby? ( If sick, baby is more likely to have a negative impact from vaccine) how likely are you to contract it and how bad will effects be( think flu vaccines that are more likely to affect older people vs young healthy male normally dont die from flu.
Yet none of this risk factors are ever taken into account when talking about vaccines. People are just like YOU HAVE TO VACCINATE, HOW DARE YOU NOT? you're a conspiracy theorist et cetera.
When there are legitimate concerns regarding vaccines? I wish they would rather acknowledge the concerns a be able to hold a conversation about it and maybe put my mind at rest. Then I'll happily vaccinate. But now they do t have answers and basically treat you like criminal idiot mom. It's making me more sceptical, not less

And along come the anti vaxxers. Yawn.

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