The rise of measles... what about children under 12 months? (MMR Vaccination - Is it a Friend or Foe?)

Member Name: rhianjo

Product:	MMR Vaccination - Is it a Friend or Foe?
Date:	03/06/09 (222 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Measles immunity

Disadvantages: All vaccines have disadvantages and side effects

This is a very emotionally charged debate for obvious reasons and every parent has the right opinion for their child. This is my view for my son.

I think it's really important that the immunity level to measles is kept above the critical level to prevent unimmunised children for catching it. At the moment in Wales there is an alarming increase in the number of cases. In healthy school children the chance of any serious complications is rare but possible.

However, what about babies? Those that have yet to develop any form of immunity and are too young for vaccination. Severe illness is much more likely in infants under one year.

Now consider that the community level of immunity is dropping due to the low uptake of vaccination, more children are catching measles, more children are spreading measles, more babies will come into contact with measles. A friends newborn baby girl came into contact with measles while on the maternity ward from a visiting child (who wasn't symptomatic at the time). She was lucky to survive after intensive treatment. The other babies all had to have treatment too just in case. Imagine dealing with that?

My fear for the next six months is not whether I will vaccinate my son with the MMR but will he catch measles before he has it. Will have had any immunity passed from me by breast feeding? Is he healthy enough to fight it off?

Immunisation is a personal choice but its effects are more widespread than imagined. If you don't trust the MMR vaccine after reading all the evidence then please have your child immunised using the single vaccine.

Don't underestimate measles... a vaccine wouldn't have been designed if it was a harmless childhood infection. Maybe this is a slightly different viewpoint, maybe you will agree, maybe you will totally disagree, maybe I've missed the point. Hopefully I've put something into the debate.

Summary: Vaccination keeps immunity levels high low take up levels mean more cases