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SN children

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Original poster

mmr booster, autism etc what did you do??

18 replies

jennybensmummy · 28/04/2009 14:29

im not trying to create an argument just wondering what other people think as im so unsure what to do! my son is 3 and a half and due his mmr boostr, he is autistic. i have friends who think mmr affected their kids and friends who dont i cant afford the single vaccines privately and is there any evidence they are better in the whole autism debate?? i need to decide what to do so just wondering if anyone with asd kids or similar have any wisdom or can tell me if their child reacted to it at all. like i say im not trying to create an arguement i am just undecided what to do and thought id see if anyone had any stories one way or other other than those i have heard, im thinking of still doing vaccine but not sure.

OP posts:

TotalChaos · 28/04/2009 14:33

DS had first MMR, but not booster, couldn't really afford single vax so thought I would rely on first MMR. He got measles just before Xmas - which he had pretty mildly, but has been v. prone to D & V bugs since Xmas. Which may be coincidence - as he had a delicate tummy last summer too, before the measles. So now I drive myself mad thinking should I have just let him have the booster after all (developmental problems set in months after first MMR, so I don't feel he reacted badly to first MMR). I suppose the obvious starting point to consider is whether you feel ben reacted badly at all to first MMR.

4nomore · 28/04/2009 14:35

I read the research / arguments on both sides and concluded that I was satisfied that the vaccine does not cause autism and so sons 3 and 4 had the vaccine. Son no.4 was diagnosed with ASD before his booster ws due and he went ahead and had it as scheduled. I am absolutely satisfied that neither dose did him any harm (because my reading of the evidence supports this and because what I have seen of my son and his development supports this). I think you just have to feel relatively satisfied yourself that whatever you decide to do, you believe it is for the best and that it is an informed decision. HTH!

SheWhoMustBeIgnored · 28/04/2009 14:37

ds1 is 2.8 so havent really thought about it yet tbh.ds2 is 10 months though and coming up for his and i dont think i could physically hold him there to be injected. i know ds1 was autistic b4 the jab but then i think did it make it worse so will be following this thread.

cyberseraphim · 28/04/2009 14:42

Had both no problems either time with DS1 (ASD) or DS2 (non ASD) no problems either. I don't think you will find an answer by listening to us or friends in real life though, it's going to depend on what you believe.

catski · 28/04/2009 14:43

I think a lot of the people with knowledge are currently embroiled in the vaccine thread raging on the AIBU board!

I really don't know what to do. There seems to be lots of conflicting theories and advice out there, it is hard to find a path through the jungle. My son has just turned two but hasn't had the MMR yet.

I'd go down the single vaccine route, but I don't think that that route is that black and white either is it? How do you know if your child is in the minority group which may be affected? Something to do with autoimmune systems/leaky gut/exisiting ASD condition/family history?

rosie39forever · 28/04/2009 14:50

DD had first MMR at 14 months, she has autism and looking back was showing signs well before the jab, I agonised for ages over weather to let her have the booster, I waited untill she was five and her immune system was a bit stronger and bit the bullet and took her to get it, I watched her like a hawk for a week after and thankfully there was no adverse effects. Take your time with the decision, listen to both sides of the great MMR debate and make an informed choice that you are happy with.

pagwatch · 28/04/2009 14:58

I have no doubt personally that MMR was trifgger for DS2 so DD won't have it.

If I were thinking about it though I would go and see Dr Halvorsen and talk to him as he knows all about triggers, contraindicators etc.

It is down to your choice and your instinct really. I don't think anyone can speak with certainty anout any individual child

bunnyrabbit · 28/04/2009 15:23

I have seen no conclusive research/evidence/study/stats to show there is a link between ASD and the MMR vaccination. Until then I will go with my instincts which are that it's better to vaccinate in this instance.

DS1 had both jabs (mild HFA) and had no side affects at all.

DS2 (NT so far) will have his first jab in a couple of weeks.

Do what you feel is best, not what you think you should do.

HelensMelons · 28/04/2009 15:47

Jenny

DS2 (asd) was given the mmr a bit later than usual. We knew he had speech difficulties around about 18 months, I waited until I was satisfied that his difficulties were already present.

However dd3 was vaccinated when dp took dd to the health centre for something else and she ended up getting hers there and then, so came home already vaccinated and decision taken out of my hands!

reducedfatkettlechip · 28/04/2009 16:03

Really valid question, am in similar situation. Agonising over what to do for ds2 (21 months but have delayed MMR so far) Ds1 had it at 13 months, and had no ASD symptoms prior to the jab, but no adverse effects directly after so it's a bit inconclusive with him. Have decided not to give him the booster (he's now 3.8.)

However, my sister almost died of encephalitis (from measles) aged 2. Neither of us had MMR as my mum had concerns. The doctors told my mum that having the MMR jab may have triggered a reaction in my sister anyway. Her case was so rare it's still studied - she made a full recovery although everyone thought she'd be severely brain damaged.

It's such a difficult one and well worth the debate imo.

amber32002 · 28/04/2009 16:52

There's no real evidence to say that it causes autism. The original evidence has been discredited. It has to be an individual choice, so I'm not about to advise anyone one way or the other, but I didn't worry overmuch in giving my child the MMR. There again, we're already ASD, so maybe that doesn't count

bubblagirl · 28/04/2009 17:00

i found this interesting

5inthebed · 28/04/2009 17:05

DS2 had his booster after he was dx. I had no qualms about getting it done either.

Original poster

jennybensmummy · 29/04/2009 09:40

thanks everyone, and thanks for the link bubblagirl it is very interesting isnt it, i think im going to go for the mmr for him as although i think he was autistic before the first mmr i think it did definately set him back a bit, but i think if he was ever to get measles, etc i would think how stupid am i for not giving him it etc whereas i dont think i will blame myself if he does regress, though i dont know?! will see what happens! thanks again everyone xx

OP posts:

Shells · 29/04/2009 09:52

Jenny, I'm not an expert either. A lot of very well-read people on this board. My DS had the MMR and I am unsure if it affected him. He has autistic tendencies.
I decided not to give him the booster as I gather that the likelihood of him being immune is quite high and its just a 'double check' system. You can get a blood test to check for sure apparently.
Also I think being a boy its a bit easier as they are obviously more worried about girls and Rubella.
But its a hard one...

troutpout · 29/04/2009 10:02

ds (asd) had the original vac at about 4 just before he started school ...and then he had the booster just before xmas (aged 11) at school (with my permission). There was a flush of measles in the area (cheshire) and they were inviting all children who missed the booster to have it done.
He was poorly after the first one and was hospitalised 10 days after(which i always blamed on the vac) and for that reason i didn't do the booster. I ummed and aahhed a bit over the booster at school.. mostly because of the reaction, not because of the asd (looking back the asd was already evident at 1,2 and 3 years of age).
Anyway...he had no reaction and was ok with the booster.
Your call.. totally

Original poster

jennybensmummy · 29/04/2009 10:37

ooh shells didnt know about that test to check i wonder how easy that is to get might look into that first then wouldnt have to make a decision or do anything if he was already immune!?

OP posts:

TotalChaos · 29/04/2009 11:11

jenny - you can also be swabbed to check for measles immunity, not as accurate as a blood test but not as invasive (when DS had measles they took a swab to confirm it).

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