MMR jab

Metranil_Vavin

I just wondered if anyone could let me know if their LO's had any adverse reactions when they had the MMR jab?

My DS is having his tomorrow, he turned 1 on Saturday. A couple of people I know said their children were a bit poorly afterwards, so just wondered if this was the norm. Should I be ready with the Calpol?

I've not read up too much about the whole MMR thing as I know there has been debate about if it's safe or not, and I honestly don't want to freak myself out

pinkclouds

It's the same as all the other vaccinations that your child has had. Neither of my kids has reacted badly to any of their vaccinations. If your kid tends to run a mild temp after vaccinations then I guess he'll probably do the same with this one. Otherwise, I can't see any reason to dose him with Calpol.

Metranil_Vavin

Thanks. He seemed pretty much fine after his earlier jabs, so hopefully tomorrow will all be fine.

I'll have the calpol if he needs it anyway.

thegirlintheattic

A bit of a fever/sore arm is common after all jabs so Calpol might be needed.

Last year the doctor who did the research saying MMR was unsafe was declared a fraud by the BMJ (big medical journal), the research has been retracted and the doctor struck off. The scientific evidence is there is no link between autism and the MMR vaccine. There is always a small risk from vaccinations but the benefits outweigh the risk, which is why the vaccine is recommended.

Something to think about. I'm a secondary teacher and for the past few months we've had a mumps epidemic; the health protection agency has had to be involved. So many of our children where not vaccinated at a young age that it is still going around the school now. Several children have had several weeks off to recover and many have been quite poorly with it; one had to be hospitalized. It affects teenage boys particularly badly and the disease can have some nasty long term effects.

Metranil_Vavin

wow, so that is pretty much down to the kids not being vaccinated when they were little?

Thank you for your post. It's made me feel much better I agree that the side effects of vaccinating are preferable to the diseases they protect against.

I seem to recall having mumps and measles as a child. When did vaccinations against these diseases start being given to babies?

emsywoo123

Hi MV DS had his 6 days ago and he was absolutely fine, screamed the place down in the surgery, but fine once outside, had absolutely no effect

MrsManda

Just to confirm the above, the MMR like other vaccinations may cause some redness/minor swelling around the site of the injections and your child may get a high temperature/rash.

But compared to how unwell your child could be if they don't have the vaccination and catch mumps, measles or rubella the common side effects of the MMR are mild.

The nurse giving the injection will be able to give you any information you need and be able to answer any questions you have. Having Calpol on standby can't do any harm but I wouldn't give it unless your child starts being unwell.

Thegirlintheattic makes some very good points about the importance of the MMR. Unfortunately with the media scare stories around the now very much discreditted 'research' done by Andrew Wakefield children/teenagers are still suffering from the effects of not recieving the MMR.

The MMR started to be given in 1988 I think.

thegirlintheattic

It was introduced in 1988, so the first batch of kids vaccinated are now about 23.

Yes, the problem in our school is so few of our children were vaccinated as babies, so that there are enough people to pass it around and keep it going in the school. Thankfully the worse is now over and we only have had a handful of cases since Christmas. I think it helped that several of our children have now been vaccinated after the HPA got involved and sent a letter to all parents.

fluffnutter

It makes sense to be prepared for any grizzliness after an inoculation. At the very least your son might have a sore arm and need some extra cuddles. But with regard to all the controversy surrounding MMR.. then feel confident that there's absolutely no need to worry or even bother reading the scare-mongering back editions of the irresponsible Daily Mail.

The study that caused so much media frenzy is absolutely discredited. One guy retracted his findings and the other was declared fraudulent. Since take-up of the vaccine fell, there have been problems with all three diseases, particularly measles which has been the cause of at least one death.

Incidentally, in the early half of the 20th century, measles alone used to kill around 20,000 children a year. Childhood inoculations like the MMR jab, together with improvements in sanitation, have had the biggest single effect on reducing rates of infant mortality and we are so lucky to live in a country where they're routinely available.

Close your ears to bad science and irresponsible, hysterical journalism and get your children inoculated with confidence.

Metranil_Vavin

Hey emsy! How are things with you?

Thanks for the info ladies. I'm in my late 30's and I clearly remember having mumps as a little child. It was very painful and horrible. I'd much rather my DS have a bit of discomfort having the jabs to having mumps or measles or rubella.

Saturnalia

The scaremongering was found to be false and the doctor responsible struck off. Definitely get the jab, I had mumps in my 20s (born '81 so pre-MMR) and wouldn't wish it on anyone.

My nephew has been a little grizzly after each of his jabs but a bit of extra "babying" and some calpol if necessary has sorted him out each time.