Alright, I hope it's not too late to be posting this as I've just got an email from a bloggy friend (that's you Claire!) inquiring about MMR jab for her child (about to turn or already 12 months old now).
(*Image taken from Google search)
Just for your info, Ben got his MMR jab when he was 18 months old. Yup... we delayed half a year from letting him take his MMR jab, and then we came across an article and we rushed as soon as we could have the time available to get the jab for Ben. Before I write on, please take some time to read the article, the very same one I read (and posted in my FB page) which made us changed our decisions and got the jab for Ben. (*updates: I can't seem to be able to load the article website anymore... hence am not able to show the link in this post anymore)
So, back to this topic... after reading this article and discussing with hubby on whether we should go for the MMR jab now, we also took into considerations on the fact that I'm still breastfeeding Ben, so, I would want him to be protected (BM helps with immune system you see) by my BM while I'm still able to breastfeed him.
I know for a fact that whenever Ben has stomach flu, teething or any illness (which I can count with 1 hand throughout his now 20 months of being on this planet) he recovers really fast and sometimes we didn't even realised there's anything wrong with Ben cos' he's just alert and active all the time!
So, my personal thoughts on this is, if we delay the MMR jab longer and I'm not able to breastfeed Ben anymore (touch wood), how is he going to cope and recovers fast from any side effects (just in case)?
So after discussing with hubby, we decided to go ahead and make an appointment to see Ben's paedictrician. Because we delayed Ben's MMR jab (supposed to take at 12 months), his 2nd booster (DPT, Hib and IPV) jab which was supposed to be taken at 18 months was also delayed. In the doctor's office, we were scolded because of our actions in delaying the MMR jab and putting unnecessary risks to Ben (imagine if he contracted measles or anything throughout the 6 months we delayed the jab!)
So anyway, to cut the story short, Ben finally got his MMR jab. Side effects noted:
* 1 week after the jab, slight fever at 37.5℃ which we cool down his body temperature by giving him sponge bath and throughout the duration, Ben is still active as ever. No other medication given at all.
* 3 weeks after the jab, Ben had a mild rash on both his legs between his knees to his upper thighs and part of his elbows and arms area. No itch whatsoever, just red rash that disappears in one hour time (exactly one hour). And Ben's still alert, active and jumping around like normal. No other medication given at all.
Pictures below taken when Ben got the rash.
Of course, I am in no position to influence your decisions on the MMR jab. I'm just sharing our thoughts and take on this. We too delayed it for 6 months and then finally decided to get it. And you know, after we got Ben the jab, we actually realised how silly it is for us to delay the jab... it took us 6 months to get over the unnecessary worries and putting the unnecessary risks on Ben (Thank God he's healthy and did not contract any measles!)
I have friends who are still delaying it, I have friends who only got the MMR jabs for their children when they turn 4 years old (that was because MMR back then was a new thing), I have friends who wanted their child to get the jab but had to delay it because of the egg white allergy.
Internet is a wonderful thing, but as you searched on this topic, you get lots of different point of views. MMR causes autism, MMR causes deafness, death, no links between MMR and autism, etc etc...
So please, discuss through with your spouse and check through with your child's paed. Ask around your friends and relatives whether their child have taken the jab and any side effects noted.
Here's some other links I found on the Internet:
* http://ibnlive.in.com/news/no-link-between-mmr-vaccines-and-autism/134840-17.html?from=tn* http://www.mirror.co.uk/advice/miriam/2010/11/15/why-mmr-jab-is-a-must-for-school-115875-22718290/
I hope that this post is able to help you, Claire!
Anyone else had any thoughts and experience to share?
