Measles & MMR

JemmaM91

Hi

I know about the recent outbreak of measles and never really gave it a second thought to be honest. I didn't really know it could be serious. (naive I know)

I wasn't worried about DS though as hes up to date with all his injections, but in the paper today it says that they are not covered until they have had 2 doses of the MMR. DS is only 14 months so has only had 1.

Does this mean he is not covered and if so, would the doctor give him the 2nd dose 2 yrs early? Or is that dangerous? A lot of people are mentioning it now and I'm starting to worry. DS seems to catch everything (except chickenpox).

Also I have a 4 month old nephew. Would he be able to get the MMR early? Or am I just worrying over nothing.

Sorry about the long post. Its just I get things in my head and worry until I've spoke to someone.

Moomum

Where we live in London the 2nd dose of mmr is given two months after the first so it is possible. If the outbreak came to your area then there would be the option for everyone to be immunised.

notanewuser

No need to panic. I live near Swansea and DD has only had one dose. The first dose gives them up to 95% immunity. The 2nd boosts it to 99%.

DD won't be having her second dose yet!

Whereabouts are you?

Unless you're in the heart of Swansea I doubt anybody would immunise a 4 month old - it's less effective in under 1s.

Person_one

Don't worry about the 4 month old, if his mum is immune he'll still have some protection from her antibodies. They give the first dose at 12 months because that's when immunity from mum has worn off.

NANU is right that the first dose is 95% effective at preventing measles. Here's a link that might ease your mind a bit:

http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD004407/using-the-combined-vaccine-for-protection-of-children-against-measles-mumps-and-rubella

notanewuser

Person_one wrote: »

NANU is right that the first dose is 95% effective at preventing measles. Here's a link that might ease your mind a bit:

NANU NANU!!

JemmaM91

Thank you everyone. Put my mind at ease

Person_one

notanewuser wrote: »

NANU NANU!!

That's what I was thinking when I typed it, I liked it so I kept it and I'm afraid you will always be NANU now, just as poor Quinechinoise is always quiche-noise.

notanewuser

Person_one wrote: »

That's what I was thinking when I typed it, I liked it so I kept it and I'm afraid you will always be NANU now, just as poor Quinechinoise is always quiche-noise.

I like it.

pigpen

secondary infections are very rare without another illness which lowers the immunity.. illnesses such as leukaemia, hiv etc so one dose is sufficient ordinarily. most people who die of these infections are already ill, someone in a good state of health should be fine even if they do catch it.

2 of mine have had measles.. DD1 at 3 years and having had the vaccine (she also had whooping cough last year) and the other at 17 weeks, 2 weeks after she had chickenpox! I had it at 7 and was rather unwell.. it just felt like I had a bad cold and was sleepy.. other than that is was fine.

JemmaM91

PasturesNew wrote: »

It's more a problem of being contagious these days than being 'serious'. Yes it can be nasty and yes it's possible to die from it .... but it was a pretty usual childhood disease when I was a child and most people either don't catch it or live. It's just nice to avoid it if you can and vaccines have been available since the 60s for that.

I'd be more worried about the new bird flu http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/25/health/bird-flu-facts/index.html - better the devil you know.

OH noo dont start me worrying about something else :rotfl:

wierddumpling

If it makes you feel better I didn't get my second dose til last year at the grand old age of 24, mix up with my medical records apparently.