MMR vax- first dose-- for my 5 year old?

[Kelly1]

DD just turned 5 and is due to start kindergarten this fall.  We have previously used religious exemption to bypass the school's need for the vaxes.

She has been speech delayed and has made remarkable progress.  All of her testing is now falling within the range of normal for her age.  There remains some processing issues, of which, the neurodevelopmental ped. and I are almost certain are related to an Auditory Processing Disorder (though those are not officially diagnosed until a child is 7).

We have her 5 year old well child visit coming up in a few weeks and I know this is going to come up.

I had initially planned to start the separated series of M, M, and R when she was 4 but then it was no longer available.

I do believe it's a good idea for her to be immunized against these diseases at some point.  I do NOT want to jeopardize her in any way.  I'm feeling more comfortable with her getting this vax this year compared to last year at this time. 

But truth be told, I'm not sure I'm ever going to feel great about her finishing up her vaxes.

Thoughts?

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

Sorry, no thoughts.  Just wanted to tell you that you arent alone.  Not Vaxing is a choice I revisit constantly.  Sometimes I wish I didnt think so dang much. 

[grumpybear]

Was wondering if you do decide to go with vaccinating if the religious exemption will be forfeited?

[Kelly1]

Originally Posted by grumpybear 

Was wondering if you do decide to go with vaccinating if the religious exemption will be forfeited?

Are you asking if we do the MMR vax, will I lose religious exemption status for the others she hasn't received?

No.  The religious exemption provided to us is very vague.  DD was vaxed mostly on time until she was 9 months.  So yes, she has some vaxes but not all.

Does that make sense?

[grumpybear]

Yup. That makes sense.

We're actually on the same boat. We selective/delay vax and DS is going into Kindergarten in the fall too. We have the religious exemption and opted to suspend all vaxes for now.

[A&A]

Ds is 9 and I'm contemplating this same question.  I think we are going to get the MMR this summer. 

FYI, Dr. Sears gives the MMR at 4 or 5:

http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/thread/1318886/time-for-the-mmr#post_16518672

[APToddlerMama]

We are in a similar boat and the fact that DS (3) has developmental delays has further delayed my plans for vaccinating.  "At some point" can be a few years from now... You don't have to make the decision today.  I am thinking more along the lines of age 10-12 now for my DS. 

Originally Posted by Kelly1 

I do believe it's a good idea for her to be immunized against these diseases at some point. 

[BroodyWoodsgal]

I wouldn't do it. I don't vax at all, so I wouldn't do it anyway...but with a kid who has had problems who is making such great strides...I would have even MORE reason for not wanting to.

Good luck, mama, sometimes it's really hard to figure the right move...I hope that if you send the question out to the universe that maybe an answer will be revealed to you. (((hugs)))

[new2this]

Its a hard choice. One I spent a lot of time researching on and even though we fully vax. There are times where I wonder if it was the right choice. But I also know for me if I would have decided to not vax I would have been wondering the same thing. Good luck in what you chose. 

[l3erly]

Nothing really to add.  We also delay vax. Just wanted to wish you well, whatever you decide :)

[Cynthia Mosher]

Moving to the Vaccinations forum. 

[Marnica]

Wondering what state you live in - because unless your state offers a philisophical exemption, you will lose your religious exemption if you decide to do the MMR. A child can be vaxed fully, partially or whatever as an infant and then a parent can file a religious exemption because beliefs can change at anytime. Once you go back and get more vaccines however, you cannot then go on and claim another religious exemption.

 

Originally Posted by Kelly1 

Are you asking if we do the MMR vax, will I lose religious exemption status for the others she hasn't received?

No.  The religious exemption provided to us is very vague.  DD was vaxed mostly on time until she was 9 months.  So yes, she has some vaxes but not all.

Does that make sense?

[ma2two]

How would you feel if you gave her the MMR and she regressed, and required a year or so to get back to where she was? Worse than if she were sick in bed with measles for a week? What is more likely? Out of 310 million people in the U.S., there are usually about 60 cases of measles per year. This year, with the outbreak, there's been a "whopping" 118 cases so far.

[purslaine]

why do you want to vaccinate her?  Figuring out exactly why you want to vax might help you figure out a game plan.

If it is to prevent the diseases - you can consider that it is extremely unlikely she will get the diseases.  Please look at the CDC site for numbers on how many actually get M, M or R.  The diseases (measles possibly aside) are not dangerous to children

If it is to increase herd immunity - well, I am not overly found of the herd argument for a variety of reasons - but some people are.  If you worry about such things - you can still wait under she is older to vax.  A five year old to me is still quite young.

Are you worried about her contracting rubella while pregnant?  If so, you can vax during her teens.

In any event - much peace to you as you sort it out.  I agree with Avery's mom to send out a prayer or vibe into the universe and see if you get an answer back.