Childrens Vaccinations

[RachaelOs]

Went to register the girls at the doctors today (aged 3 & 1) and took along their red books to show they are all up to date with vaccinations. I appreciate that I should have looked in to the differences between UK and here before I went but I didn’t really give it much thought. So after going through their books and ringing a vaccination line she told me that both would need Hep B injections and would also need to have MMR’s as the one here contains the vaccine for chicken pox (neither girl has had it yet). It threw me as both the girls have had the MMR injections in the UK and my reaction was that I didn’t feel comfortable for them to have another one just so that they then get a vaccine against chicken pox. She said that she sees loads of families from the UK and only one mother had chosen to buy the chicken pox vaccine separately (she thinks it’s about $80). Did anyone else feel slightly uncomfortable giving his or her children a 2^nd lot of MMR or am I being a paranoid mother?

[Guest Benoli]

our doctors surgery gave our two the chicken pox vaccination without any issue and didn't charge anything for it. I wouldn't be happy with a 2nd MMR either but it wasn't even mentioned. Maybe best to look at other surgeries in your area and see what they do? Mine is on Main South Road, Morphett Vale x

[Anne B]

Obviously not all Australian kids are vaccinated as there have been cases of children with chickenpox recently at my daughter's school!! Mine both had chickenpox in the UK when they were younger, must say I was very surprised when my daughter said a boy in her class had it and a note came home from the headteacher. I personally would do a bit of research into whether it is wise to have the MMR vaccines again. I think there is a lot of hysteria about vaccination but it does seem odd to do it twice - may be worth paying the $80 for peace of mind.

[Guest Claire-n-tel]

There's no special or extra harm recorded in getting an extra dose of MMR, but really, there should be no need to.

 

I'm guessing your girls have both had their first dose, usually in UK 1st is around 12 month and second at 4yrs (preschool) So they could potentially both have a MMRV now (providing their first one was more than a month ago) and then both have a second chicken pox single vaccine in 3 months.

 

The dr should not charge you for using a single vaccine in this instance as it is being given singularly for medical reasons.

[Guest Claire-n-tel]

Obviously not all Australian kids are vaccinated as there have been cases of children with chickenpox recently at my daughter's school!!

 

Anne this is quite usual. No vaccine is 100% affective, the chicken pox one is currently said to be 80-90%) It is fairly new on the vaccine schedule, as time goes on it is likely that fewer and fewer cases of chicken pox will be seen. I remember EVERYONE getting mumps when I was in infant school, you very rarely see a case now.

 

it takes many years of immunisations to eradicate a disease (along with other factors) as happened with small pox etc

[amdaloia]

Hmmmm thanks for posting this....we are headed to Oz later this year and my two will be almost 3 and almost 2 at the time so I will be doing some investigation as to vaccinations they have had and what that compares to in Oz. Like you I have never even considered it and just assumed it was on the same (or similar) schedule and the same (or similar) vaccinations. Just another thing to worry about/investigate now but thanks again for the heads up.

[amdaloia]

For those who are curious here are a couple of links to show what immunisations kids in the UK get and what immunisations kids in Australia get

 

UK immunisation schedule - http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/vaccination-schedule-age-checklist.aspx

 

Aust immunisation schedule - http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/medicare/australian-childhood-immunisation-register/your-childs-immunisation-schedule

[Guest Mrs Bon Jovi]

My youngest had the chickenpox vaccine when we got here. He had the single one at no cost to us. MMR was never even mentioned

[GarethB]

HepB is not given in the UK and only recommended in high risk groups, eg jobs where there is likely exposure to blood, HepB positive parents, sharers of needles etc. I would seriously research the need for this one, I assume your child doesn't fit into any of those categories. If given, protection will only last until their late teens anyway, probably when most people are likely to need protection from this disease.

As for Chicken Pox, the vaccination in the UK is not on the NHS schedule probably due to it NOT being a killer disease. Don't we all remember having chicken pox as kids? If you do happen to get it you then then have life long immunity, something the vaccination will not give you.

See the NHS website for more details

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Chickenpox/Pages/Introduction.aspx

[Guest lilgal89]

Hi Rach we had the same with our little girl, had her catch up schedule through and she's due them all on Monday! I felt like I wasn't in a position to question it but I thought the same thing!

[Guest Claire-n-tel]

Hi Gareth!

 

If anyone, infant or adult, have had a full course of hep b vaccinations they will never require a booster, the only exception to this is immunosupressed individuals ie people having chemo or those that are HIV positive.

 

With regard to the need for infants to have it done, well hep B can actually be passed on through non sexual household contact, ie by touching open cuts or sores of an infected person. You do have a right to choose in Australia, vaccination is not compulsory here, no school, preschool, childcare centre or playgroup is legally allowed to refuse a child because of their vaccination status.

 

Everyone needs to be aware however that both Tax Benefit Supplement and the Childcare Allowance are both affected by vaccination compliance. If you choose not to fully vaccinate your child you will need to get a GP or someone who has an immunisation provider number – to sign a Conscientious or Medical Objection form.

As for chicken pox, it can be and is a killer, just because it is something we all had as kids does not make it harmless, mumps, measles, whooping cough etc we're all common 30 or 40 years ago, it doesn't make them harmless, my sister has been deaf since childhood as a direct result of mumps. The most common serious complications that arise from chicken pox are pneumonia and encephalitis.

 

I am not a "drum beater" for child immunisations but I do think that they are there for a reason, they are not being provided for free to every child just for fun, there has been years of research regarding what is necessary. There is an infinite amount of stuff to be found on the internet with regard to the right/wrong thing to do, just be aware of who wrote what you are reading and keep in mind there are two sides to every coin.

[RachaelOs]

Thanks for the responses everyone. The Hep B I felt fairly relaxed about and I'm happy for the girls to be given the chicken pox vaccine, I just didn't feel there was a need to give it along with the MMR when they've already had that, especially as you can get it by itself! I think ill ring a couple of the other doctors round here and if they do the same I think I'd just feel more comfortable buying the vaccine. Apparently I'll need to pick it up from the chemist and take it straight to the doctors appointment for her to do it - maybe I'll also see if I can find somewhere that stocks it at the surgery!....all part of the adventure I guess! X