Combo shots boosts kids' fever-related seizure risk

[2boyzmama]

http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2...e-risk/?hpt=T2

Here's my question about this...how does it increase the risk? If you get one shot or two, you're still getting the same amount of the four antigens. Is there a difference in some other ingredient? Isn't it usually the antigens that are blamed for causing the fevers, which causes the seizures?

I could understand if this concluded that the MMR and Varicella should be separated by a week or a month (or some other time period) but the conclusion is that one shot (MMR) should be given in one arm, and the other (Varicella) in the other arm.

What's the difference that way???

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by 2boyzmama

http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2...e-risk/?hpt=T2

Here's my question about this...how does it increase the risk? If you get one shot or two, you're still getting the same amount of the four antigens. Is there a difference in some other ingredient? Isn't it usually the antigens that are blamed for causing the fevers, which causes the seizures?

I could understand if this concluded that the MMR and Varicella should be separated by a week or a month (or some other time period) but the conclusion is that one shot (MMR) should be given in one arm, and the other (Varicella) in the other arm.

What's the difference that way???

http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_...proquad_pi.pdf (proquad)
http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_.../mmr_ii_pi.pdf (MMR)

http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_...varivax_pi.pdf (varivax)


well here are the 3 different inserts. If you look carefully, the amount of antigens would not be the same if given separately. One needs to do some math as the combo vax amounts is expressed in log10 and the MMR is not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logarithm

[2boyzmama]

WOW...so talk about confusing. I looked up the inserts during my pump break at work, and here's what they say:

Proquad:

3.00 log10 TCID50 measles
4.30 log10 TCID50 mumps
3.00 log10 TCID50 rubella
3.99 log10 PFU varicella

MMR:

1000 TCID measles
12,500 TCID mumps
1000 TCID rubella

Varicella:

1350 PFU varicella

Confusing enough for ya???

[ASusan]

2Boyzmama - WTHeck does that even mean?

Will someone do the math for us and explain it?



and...

does anyone think the headline Kaiser study finds safer way to use MMRV vaccine in toddlers a bit disingenuous?

[Deborah]

That sort of headline only works on people who aren't in the habit of actually thinking.

What it really means:

Our previous use of this vaccine endangered toddlers. Now we figured out a way to endanger not quite as many. Step right up with your kids!

[caned & able]

http://www.dor.kaiser.org/external/n...ella_Vaccines/

[ASusan]

Apparently, this news (that the quad shot doubles risk of febrile seizures) isn't new.

http://www.thenhf.com/vaccinations/vac_228.htm

[Deborah]

No, I remember the previous discussion. I don't think they took the vaccine out of use, but it wasn't recommended. Now they seem to have decided that the risk is worth it? To whom?