Another vaccine shedding question...MMR and others. Please help!

[mom of twins]

PLEASE PUT MY MIND AT EASE...My unvaxxed 5 year olds have two best friends (also twins) who just received 3 vaccinations for kindergarten.  I remember very clearly that one of these kids having a pretty bad reaction to MMR as a toddler.  So, three days ago, we were out and about when their friends announced they just got 3 vaccines that morning at the doctor.  I cringed - especially because of the bad MMR reaction I just mentioned that happened a few years back.  I know they are exposed to lots and lots of other kids who are getting boosters for school that I don't even know about.  However, since I knew of the reaction this particular child had, I became more worried that she might develop symptoms again and be contagious... Any thoughts?  Or can someone please put my mind at ease?  How long does this so-called "shedding" period last? 

When I casually asked my friend (their mom) which other vaccines they got that morning, she didn't know...which made me cringe even more.   I am very passionate about our decsion not to vaccinate yet at the same time very quiet with friends because it is a touchy conversation... So, I am turning to this forum for help with this question.

Should I be concerned about  "shedding" (esp MMR, but others too), especially if a child shows symptoms or had a previous reaction to a vaccine?

THANKS!!

Edited by mom of twins - 3/18/13 at 5:37am

[Marnica]

Honestly mama I wouldn't worry about it.

You are right in that you cannot avoid your child being exposed to other kids who may have boosters with live virus vaccines - since there isn't much you can do about it, try not to worry. Whatever reaction that child had to the vaccine, it was a personal reaction right? I mean it just effected that child. 

As for shedding it is the rubella portion that sheds theoretically. This is from package insert.

Quote:

Excretion of small amounts of the live attenuated rubella virus from the nose or throat has occurred in the majority of susceptible individuals 7 to 28 days after vaccination. There is no confirmed evidence to indicate that such virus is transmitted to susceptible persons who are in contact with the vaccinated individuals. Consequently, transmission through close personal contact, while accepted as a theoretical possibility, is not regarded as a significant risk.33

I suppose if I knew before hand that a friend of my kids was getting a live virus vaccine, I would try and steer clear or reschedule any play dates for a couple weeks just as a precaution but I wouldn't run away from them if i found out after the fact and my kids were already there around them kwim? 

The only other live virus vaccine that that kid may have gotten at this age is chicken pox. - again i wouldn't worry too much. 

[mom of twins]

THANK YOU!! I just remembered that reaction to the MMR vax and wondered if those symptoms could be contagious...fever, rash all over.