mmr

[Le Chat]

In January of this year I put up a posting here on AB deliberating about the MMR injection as my son was 13 months old. I'm just letting the 19 people who expressed their views know that he had the injection 2 weeks ago. I tried to get hold of the vaccines as single injections but had no luck as the place I had chosen kept running out of stock. I left it until he was 18 months and then took him to the doc's for the MMR. I was not happy really but didn't want him to catch or spread measles, mumps etc. Anyway, he is fine - not after effects. I'm glad I won't have to go through all that emotional turmoil again, as I have been researching for a long time and was very reluctant to have no reasonable choice in the matter of this!

[blueeyedlass]

well good for you le chat because your child is alot safer getting vaccinated properly. i didnt think twice about getting my son his mmr jab and hes now two and half and hes absolutely fine.

[kick3m0n]

did anyone see Horizon last night?  It pretty much ended any speculation about the MMR jag and autism.  However, it did show some very worrying examples of what can happen to children (or pregnant women) who catch measles or rubella. Sadly we now run a very real risk of epidemics of rubella and measles due to irresponsible parents not vaccinating their kids at all (ie neither MMR or single vaccine). 

[acw]

Well done for caring about your child and getting it done!  I had MMR and I'm fine!  Mind you, I also grew up in an age where we climbed trees, rode bikes, played with sticks (and no-one ever had their eye out),- actually played OUTISDE - not parked in front of the TV or games station.  And I was born in 1983.  How times change.

I'm glad to know that your son will grow up safe from measles, mumps and rubella.  The risks from those diseases are huge.  Anyone that fails to get their child immunised is simply a bad parent.  I was sorry to hear that you felt your options were restricted, but I honestly think you did the best thing.  I dread these sorts of decisions (when I finally become a Mum) but I hope I can make sensible decisions like you have.  :-)

[Mrs_Pegasus]

Hi

My daughter was 4 when she had her MMR - does it make me a bad parent acw because I just didnt know who or what to believe?  I am assuming from your post that you havent had children yet or you would have told us you allowed your child to have their MMR injection.

I still believe there are some children who react to the MMR just like people who react to penicillin or nuts etc.  Saying there is no link is a brave statement.  I decided not to have my daughter immediately vaccinated because she contracted german measles at 11 months and no-one could give me a feasiable answer when I asked if she would still require the rubella element of the MMR.  No medical person would answer my question - in fact one doctor said ' I honestly dont know'  So when they tell us there is no link it doesnt give me a lot of faith following my simple but not unusual question remaining unanswered!

The reason I decided was because I felt at 4 and starting school she would be in contact with other children and the risk would obviously double ten fold.

I do not envy any parent who has to make that choice if they have a sliver of doubt in their mind.

[acw]

Mrs_Pegasus - I have no idea what you're on about.  My point was that a good parent will protect their child from risks.  That means getting them vaccinated, whichever way they prefer.  If they can't get single jabs, but would prefer that, I feel it is still important to get them vaccinated. 

Anyway - you DIDN'T fail to get your child vaccinated - so what I said doesn't apply to you.

I just don't get your point/attack on me at all.

No - I haven't had kids.  I'm 22.  Yes, if I had had kids I would have commented on how I'd dealt with it.

My god, I was just trying to be positive and say that I thought LeChat had been a good parent and that vaccinations are important.  I realise the MMR issue is a serious one - I'm not a total moron.  But then it seems you've decided I am, so what's the point in me trying to defend a view which I am perfectly entitled to, parent or not. 

[Mrs_Pegasus]

acw I was not attacking you.  I just felt your 'simply a bad parent' comment was a little strong and you were generalising on a very emotive subject.

I did fail to get my child vaccinated at the time I should have.  Some would say that at any point after she could have contracted any of the other 2 diseases and possibly died.

Only the first part of my response was directed at you, the rest was a general opinion on the MMR debate.

[acw]

Well I'm sorry but I stand by my views.  I appreciate that you (and probably also others) think that childless people, however intelligent or aware of the real world, are not entitled to views on parenting, but I have an opinion and it's this:  a total failure to protect your children against health risks is irresponsible and therefore demonstrates evidence to support the idea that the parent is a bad one.  I would also like to reiterate that I'm not stupid!  I realise MMR is a very touchy issue and I realise that people are very concerned about the risks. 

PS - I made it perfectly clear in my post that I don't have kids. 

[Le Chat]

Thanks for all you replies. I do agree with Mrs_Pegasus in her scepticism. I simply hated my son having this confounded injection. It is a vile thought that an injection may cause any problems, as it is inflicted on the child by the parent!

I am glad that I am not going to be in the position again.

There is a saying that when a scare like the MMR comes about - firstly it is true, secondly it is rejected and thirdly it is accepted - just like breast cancer and the pill and mad cow disease!