Shellydon Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 In light of the recent measles outbreaks, is anyone opting to get a MMR booster? ETA: I am not interested in a vaccine debate. My use of the word booster assumes that you have been previously vaccinated. If you are part of the anti-vax crew, you aren't going to change my mind and I am not going to change yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elisabet1 Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 No, the MMR is against my religious beliefs. Plus, I had measles as a child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 DH and I were just talking about this. We were going to ask the doctor next time we were in. Is it recommended/necessary? Haven't researched it yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellydon Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 This is all I could find. http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/have-you-had-your-measles-shot-maybe-you-need-another-n290786 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrixieB Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I think I got a booster before I got pg with my eldest. Seems like my doctor recommended it because of talk at the time about the "R" part of the vaccine's immunity wearing off. But I can't find my vaccine record and I've changed doctors a number of times since, so there isn't an easy way to confirm whether I got the booster or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lllll Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnyDays Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I've been wondering about that. Great idea to get titers checked if you would rather not vaccinate unnecessarily. I have to do annual bloodwork (cholesterol and thyroid and all that) in the next few weeks anyway, so I might ask if they can tack that on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Because of our living situation (overseas, sometimes in places where we can't assume herd immunity because the local population may or may not have been vaccinated), my family re-ups all our shots whenever they're due, as well as submitting to a few vaccines that most Americans safely skip. Also possibly because of our living situation, and because I take frequent breaks from paying attention to the news, I have no idea you're talking about with regard to a recent outbreak :huh: . However, I would encourage anyone who is not philosophically opposed to vaccines to check out their records (if they still have them; I've been told that I'm very strange for still having all my records, even from childhood) and ask their doctor what vaccines may need a booster. ETA: And yes, I think everyone who vaccinates should ask about *every* vaccine they've had. It does you no good to have had the shot at age 2 if it wore off when you were 12 and you've never had a booster, and whatever is going on with this outbreak, why not be prepared for the next one while you're at it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 No. Both my husband and I were also vaxed in the military. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Peregrine Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I had a booster before I got married 20 years ago, as I wasn't immune. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Like Aiden, I had an MMR booster recently while I was getting other shots in preparation for moving overseas. It wasn't because I was going overseas, but they recommended it since I was getting shots anyway. They never let me get behind. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 do you have your full vax history & childhood illness hx? Because I think that would impact my decision making. I know I had all 3 diseases as a child. I think there is research ongoing about whether that immunity is lifelong but right now I'm assuming it is. I do boost tetanus/diphtheria every 10y. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I had the booster a few years ago. I travel internationally (especially to Uganda and Kenya) and I go fully vaxed. I had Whooping Cough a few years ago-- I do NOT want to go through that again-- so I got the booster last year. Having it does not provide lasting immunity! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymonster Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 You can be checked for immunity easily at the doctors. I had my immunity checked when I was pregnant for DS1 and again with DS2 (had him at age 36), so I don't need the booster. I'd get checked before getting a booster (but I would definitely get a booster if it was needed). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magic Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I am 39 and I did get a booster last year. My husbands is 40 and is due for a booster soon and will be getting one. We try to keep all members of our family up to date on immunizations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiana Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Not yet, but I'm seriously considering getting a titer done. I'm not 40+ yet, and I had the full series as a kid, but I have frequently not developed immunity when I should have -- had chickenpox at 4 and again at 8, and pertussis vaccine also wore off far sooner than it was supposed to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I'm not rushing to make an appointment or anything unless the outbreak gets a LOT worse, but it's probably something I'll discuss with my doctor at my check-up in June. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Good reminder to mention it to my dr at my next appointment. I had a DTaP booster a few years ago. Really should be up on all of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratford Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I've had the MMR booster 5 times as an adult (count 'em!) Turns out I am not immune to rubella and for whatever reason the vaccines have not been a success for me. I had to have the first booster when I started nursing school, and 4 others with each of my kids. Still didn't work. Hopefully the measles/mumps were effective. I certainly don't want it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I got a booster about 15 years ago for nursing school, but Plan to have a titer done next checkup, which is this month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 DH and I did a few years ago. Stuff was getting more prevalent and I too had been told while most people only need it once, others need a booster. Our DR encouraged the booster so we did. Nothing worse than the parents being super sick with kids. DS never had the MMR as a kid. He just turned 13 and he did get the MMR at his checkup. We talked about doing titers, but he ended up just getting the shot. we have never done flu shots. I feel for the parents of kids this season that have died from the flu. But I felt peace about getting this MMR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I agree with getting a titer. I had measles and mumps before the vaccines were available (and long before the three were combined to MMR). My mother thought I also had rubella (called German measles when I was a kid) but when I was getting ready for infertility treatments I had a titer and it showed no immunity so I got that vaccine. It's never been suggested by a doctor that I get a booster of any of the shots, but I suspect if outbreaks become more common and widespread doctors will start recommending boosters for older adults. I would get one if it's recommended, but I'd ask for a titer first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelenNotOfTroy Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 No. I had a titer for Rubella when I volunteered at the hospital (couldn't access my records in the time frame I needed them) and I had immunity. I am not concerned about the other parts of the shot not having conferred sufficient immunity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brehon Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 No. I had a titer for Rubella when I volunteered at the hospital (couldn't access my records in the time frame I needed them) and I had immunity. I am not concerned about the other parts of the shot not having conferred sufficient immunity. Have you had measles before? Not (the horribly misnamed and confusingly called) German measles (aka Rubella). The current measles outbreak is NOT Rubella and is highly contagious and can be deadly. Rubella's mortality rates are generally much lower than measles' mortality rate; though, of course, the morbidity of Rubella can be devastating to pregnant women and unborn children. I had titres of most of the diseases commonly vaccinated against drawn as part of my job a couple of years ago. I had a (+) titre for almost everything, except HEP B. I'm a known non-responder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica in OR Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Never had measles, so thinking about getting a titer done. We have family and friends in Arizona in the area where measles cases are on the rise and have a trip planned there in a few months. A friend has been posting on Facebook about recommendations from her local news about guidelines for those who should consider getting a titer and/or booster done. She is 42 and had a titer done; it showed little to no immunity, so she's getting a booster. Erica in OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 i had mine. the science speaks for itself. ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Rubella is not the same as Measles. I have Rubella titers but I will still probably get a booster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsuga Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I got my last booster (full MMR + polio) at 28, so no, but I would happily get it again. My titres were as high as someone who had had all three, according to the doctors--they were surprised until I explained that due to perpetual disorganization I kept losing my card so had to have it three times in four years. Oops. I felt happy about having so many antibodies to pass on to the kids through breastmilk though. Lucky byproduct of my poor planning skills. (Edit: You might wonder why they hadn't taken titres those times, and the answer is that we were in a hurry to get me overseas and working and I said go for it, I'll just take the shot.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellydon Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 Decided to go ahead and get a booster for DH and I. Thanks everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kari C in SC Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I've had the MMR booster 5 times as an adult (count 'em!) Turns out I am not immune to rubella and for whatever reason the vaccines have not been a success for me. I had to have the first booster when I started nursing school, and 4 others with each of my kids. Still didn't work. Hopefully the measles/mumps were effective. I certainly don't want it again. This is same for me. Each pregnancy another booster and I am still not immune. My sister is the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I was thinking about this and now will go to my doctor and ask. I am on strong immune suppressants and will get a booster if I can. Fortunately, I am far away from CA and AZ but I am not happy about how this is spreading. As it is, in September, I paid out of pocket to get the bigger dose of flu vaccine and I will have to see about this and the shingles vaccine. I am strongly considering starting on a biologic but I really have to make sure I have all the vaccines I may need in the next several years before I do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMamaBird Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I'm taking our Ds to the Family Dr. for his yearly check-up next week so I am going to have him check my vax record and make sure I'm up on everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 This crossed my mind, too. I had a DPT booster in 2012, I suppose I will ask about the MMR. I will have my annual physical in March or April so I hope that they can draw for titres then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I had one done 13 years ago, when I take dd2 in for her's I'll ask if I need another. this will be dd2's first mmr (on schedule per CDC) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaVT Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I've got a physical coming up in a couple of months and was planning on asking my Dr then. I got the TDap 2 years ago when VT had a whooping cough outbreak. I took DH in to see our dr for a bad cough, which ended up being bronchitis. Dr declared it a good opportunity to jab me with a needle - I wasn't the sick one! :-) I'll check in about MMR this spring because my last shots were before college in 1995 aside from the random TDap. Well, aside from the flu shot that is- I get that every year and it's definitely worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyofsixreboot Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Well, I'm so old I actually had the measles and mumps so...no booster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I've had measles and chicken pox but not the other two (though I got the shot in 2002) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I had a booster a couple of years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Not at this point. If the outbreaks continue, or they are seriously concentrated around here, I might ask for my titers to be checked. I want to say that I had an MMR booster for college, twenty years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I had to have my shots re-done in 2013 when I went back to school. My shots were long ago, no idea where those records are and my pediatrician is long gone so I just got them again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSmomof2 Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 No, I had a booster in my 20's. I was working for. hospital in a community that had an outbreak. Dh is 50 and had both measles and mumps as a child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isaac_megan Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 This is same for me. Each pregnancy another booster and I am still not immune. My sister is the same. Same here. So glad to know I'm not alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Only me Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Wow I was just coming on here to post the exact same question. I had the mumps several weeks ago and now I have a secondary parotid gland infection-not fun. I was immunized as a child but they didn't start giving boosters until the 80's I believe. Now my doctor and my dentist (who I unknowingly exposed before I knew I was sick but seems fine) are both considering getting an MMR. I think I've freaked them out a bit since neither has ever met someone who had the mumps. I do have an autoimmune disease and I'm also on a med that supresses my immune system so that is why they think I got the mumps. I have no idea where I caught them though. So now my doctors want me to get the MMR. I have to see an immunologist since its tricky since I'm on the meds I am on and the MMR is a live injection. From what I just read about the measles outbreak at Disney apparently those people affected were not immunized or were unsure if they were or not. I'm still scared because my immune system is pretty messed up right now and if I get the measles it could be very serious. Makes me wonder too if my husband should get the booster not only to protect himself but me too. On the other hand if your immune system is messed up can't you get the measles from the shot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dory Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I got the shot and the measles as a kid so I should be good. Right? I'm tempted to have my titers checked though. I'm the one in the household that's out and about in odd places the most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I got the shot and the measles as a kid so I should be good. Right? I'm tempted to have my titers checked though. I'm the one in the household that's out and about in odd places the most. Well, I think that's the point - if you had the vaccine as a child, has immunity worn off after 30-40 years? I had titres done for grad school admissions and had antibodies then, but 25 years down the road, do I still? We're seeing with pertussis that another booster is needed in middle age. Perhaps the same is true for the MMR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dory Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Well, I think that's the point - if you had the vaccine as a child, has immunity worn off after 30-40 years? I had titres done for grad school admissions and had antibodies then, but 25 years down the road, do I still? We're seeing with pertussis that another booster is needed in middle age. Perhaps the same is true for the MMR. I was hoping since I had the measles as well that that would be like a booster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSmomof2 Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I was hoping since I had the measles as well that that would be like a booster. If you had the measles, you should be immune to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I had measles when I was six. I hope I am okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Another one who has had the booster and still comes up not immune. I remember the nurse telling me that it happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 This is a good reminder. I seem to remember having a titer done for Rubella back when I was pregnant with DS1, but nothing since then. I think I'll ask about a titer at my next appointment. I'm also due for a tetanus shot. Blech. I hate those. Maybe one of my kids will bring me a lollipop after. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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