Measles vaccination

Greatnan I think some of the suggestions you propose, like making parents responsible if their child infects someone else, is a slippery slope to all sorts of possible interventions.

The AIDS thing is different. A condom is not a drug and wearing one is not an invasive procedure, whereas forcing someone to have a vaccination is invasive.

I don't think you could hold parents responsible if a child infects another with a preventable disease. For example, Absentdaughter exhibited the first symptoms of measles the day that she was booked in for her measles jab (didn't have MMR then). It was not, therefore, my fault if any little friends at toddler group also caught measles. Besides, it is difficult to prove exactly where a child caught an infection.

Also, what about the vaccination against genital herpes – already controversial in some quarters?

I take all those comments, but what about some alternative suggestions?

What I'm trying to say is this isn't just a clear-cut thing. There seems to be new vaccines being developed all the time - the HPV and genital herpes ones are relatively new. I even read something about researchers trying to develop a vaccine for the common cold.

It could be argued that such vaccines would be very important for people with seriously compromised immune systems and I can understand that in cases like that probably all sorts of preventative measures need to be taken to avoid infection, including multiple vaccinations.

But drug companies aren't going to go to the expense of researching and producing a vaccine that only a handful of people need to use. They have to ensure that the vaccine is used by as many people as possible. I'm sure I'll be accused of being cynical, etc., etc., but the fact is these huge national and multi-national organisations are working for a profit. In the past they've used "bribes" to encourage the medical profession to use their products and, although I believe this has been curtailed, there are still concerns about their marketing methods.

A couple of years ago there was even a suggestion that everyone over 60 should automatically be prescribed with statins, whether they had high cholesterol or not, just as a "precautionary" measure. Statins can have extremely serious side effects.

The medical profession is now issuing dire warnings about the over use of antibiotics and scientists are working frantically to produce new ones. Though this is a slightly different issue, it is another example of unintended consequences.

If I was ever prescribed Statins , I certainly would not take them after hearing some of the horror stories about them .

I would take my chances .

Eloethan I wholly agree about Big Pharma and wouldn't trust them if they told me night follows day. At the same time, herd immunity provided by vaccination is essential for the common good. People have become complaisant because so many common infections have become quite rare and they don't recognise the seriousness of many of them. A concerted effort of education is called for, perhaps in antenatal clinics as well as in well baby clinics (or whatever they are called these days) so that if parents refuse to vaccinate their children their choice is at least an informed one. Do we still have health visitors in the UK?

I agree with all you say, Eleothan, but we need something to happen now to get parents to have their children vaccinated, or for sure some children will die or be horribly injured by measles.

Nonu, your taking or not taking statins would not impact on the health of others.

Greatmam Longitudinal studies to investigate whether there is a correlation between multiple vaccinations and an increase in chronic diseases such as asthma, lupus, MS, Crohn's disease, etc., etc.

Chronic disease isn't as dramatic and noticeable as acute infection but it is every bit as debilitating to the sufferer and if the health of the general population becomes more susceptible to chronic illness, this is an equally important issue.

In the meantime, the vast majority of parents will follow the current recommendations and have their children vaccinated. Those who have strong feelings on the matter should not be forced to get their children vaccinated.

I agree that with diseases causing very significant risk of damage or death, like polio, diphtheria, etc., parents should be strongly encouraged to have their children vaccinated.

I agree with all you say about the research, but surely measles is a disease that can cause significant long term damage? I think people have forgotten how serious it can be.

It can on rare occasions. All my little orca cubs had the measles vaccination (no MMR in those days) and all still caught measles. Little GS had MMR and still caught measles. It's only 90% effective after the booster. I think our pod is genetically programmed not to accept the measles vaccine.

orca , we were exactly in the same position.

it was like my son having his nose cauterised for nose bleeds , after the procedure , on the way home , ^ he had a nose bleed ^

Oh dear Nonu!!
Just been reading up. Complications are much more common in adults who catch measles. Wonder why that is?

Sorry that should read serious complications.

Did the little orcas have measles badly, or only mildly?

There was a man in the news at lunchtime they think may have died of measles. I wonder if we all need doing again!

I don't need it! There are many benfits to living in isolation.

Orca , well ours are okay then , as they had the jab.

I kknow I had it as i have the scar on my upper arm .

In those days they just jabbed . It is not unsightly but maybe could have put it in a less obvious place .

That will be a smallpox vaccination, nonu if it is sort of speckled with pores. They did them on the upper arm because it was less likely to be in water (baths etc) a lot. You had to keep it dry until the scab came off. If you caught the real thing, you got those sores all over. Horrible! Elizabeth I had it and was thought to be likely to die. She recovered, but had the scars.

Elegran , have i had the measles jab ! I am panicking !!!!!!!!

Reassure me ,

Or it could have been BCG

Galen ??

Dunno nonu

One little orca was delirious. Others quite ok.
Nonu our generation didn't have measles vaccinations, we just had measles. I remember being kept in a darkened room.
Just heard about the 25 year old who has died.