Has anyone ACTUALLY been successful in splitting up MMR??

[neuri]

Hi All,

I'm curious to know if anyone has ever successfully split up the MMR shot for their 12 month olds in Australia?

I keep hearing of parents who have done this, but they've all been overseas. We have been getting irritated and hostile responses from GPs (3 separate doctors so far), they all say, (a) it cannot be done and (b) no one manufactures measles or mumps vaccines anymore anyway. Rubella is available on its own, though.

Has anyone had any luck? Please tell me yes...

TIA
Neuri

[kristy J]

why do you need them split?
I have never heard of this.

kristy

[olive]

i know janie looked into it, will send her over!

[Janie]

Yep, LOOKED into it, but haven't actually come across anyone who's managed to do it LOL! DS hasn't had his 12 month jabs yet, mostly because he has been too sick over the cooler months to do it, and partly because we haven't decided which ones to give him yet

[neuri]

Oh no Janie! Don't tell me that

Kristy J- it's to do with the alleged link between the combo of MMR and developing Autism and Crohns disease. There is no hard evidence at the moment, but we've had a personal experience in our family.

I've just got off the phone with clinic #4 and they have no idea

My DD has had her Meningococcal and Influenza B at 12 months, no worries. But I witheld MMR to see if someone could split it up for me.

Ok, so I have just got off the phone with the NSW Dept of Health: Immunisation Info and they say it can be done depeneding on if your GP can find those vaccines in stock from their supplier. So it takes the GP to actually inquire on your behalf and sadly, not all GPs will do this for you.

If anyone comes across someone who will, please let us know!!

thanks
neuri

[MantaRay]

GL Neuri. If you find someone, can you please post it as I'm sure others will be interested.

[Junglemum]

Hi Neuri i have this information that might help. This is just from my researching.

Merck make monovalent mumps and monovalent measles. (That is, seperate injections)
Monovalent mumps is called Mumpsvax
Monovalent Measles is called Attenuvax

Perhaps if you contacted Merck yourself to see who they supply to in Australia, then phone the supplier and find a local-ish Dr who uses them and then you have done all the running around, you just need to present to the info the the GP and they can order them. You could also ask Merk if it is possible for your GP to order directly through them.

HEre are some contact details for Merck Australia, if you have no luck there you can find contact details for Merck USA by searching.
Tel: (02) 9795 9500
Toll free number: 1800 023 135
Medical Information Toll free number: 1800 645 712

Not sure if any of this will help, but certainly worth a shot. Let us know how you get on.

[neuri]

Falguni, you're a legend.

I've tried 5 other pharmaceutical companies just now and they all said they don't make it. Here's hoping I get lucky with Merck!

Will certainly let everyone know how I go.

thanks,
neuri

ETA: Sorry guys, Merck doesn't do them apparently and they say they don't do them combines either and doesn't know of anyone else in Australia that does.

[MantaRay]

Neuri, perhaps contact Merck in the US? I have heard before that the vaccines have to be imported. It wouldn't be cheap I don't think, but could be worth it if this is the path you really want to take. GL hun.

[Junglemum]

My next bet would be to email Dr Bob Sears on his website thevaccinebook . I emailed him with questions regarding the meningococcol vac, and he emailed me back. He supports seperating the MMR so would be able to tell you where he sources it from........

ETA- he is based in the USA

[neuri]

Hai all,

I'm beginning to question if this is all worth it. At least I can't say I didn't try! One doctor I spoke to was all, "why are you questioning something that's been in place for 30 years now with no ill effects? If it wasn't safe the government wouldn't do it."

I mean, when we weigh up the pros and cons, it doesn't seem a likely prospect that the combined MMR will lead to nasty things, but you know what? Having the choice to vaccinate how I want to vaccinate my own child is important to me and I think it's big enough of a deal to kick up a fuss.

Well I emailed Dr. Bob as suggested but I think it's a long shot if I get a reply. I'll chase up overseas pharmaceutical companies this evening as they're all shut right now. I got one bleary sounding security guy in the UK saying to me, "Love, all I can help you wish right now is a cup of tea as it's currently 3 in the morning."

LOL.

Neuri

[Sammiejane]

HI Neuri,

IMO i think that if you could get your hands on the immunisations, you should be able to get ANY GP to give the immunisation....
Very often things are bought on special order esp some of the travelers inj and all that needs to be done really is to get your hands on it. (easier said than done obviously!)
Also another suggestion, could you speak to your CMH centre and see if they would be able to/willing to administer the immunisations for you. I think that this could be a good way of approaching it, if you manage to get your hands on the immunisations that is.

HTH and GL

[krysalyss]

Just found this on a UK newspaper article:

Parents worried about the MMR jab could soon have no alternative but to give it to their babies because supplies of the single injection vaccine for mumps are running out.

Clinics say stocks are running low and they have been told they will not receive new supplies for up to 12 months after the world's only manufacturer - American pharmaceutical giant Merck - halted production.

Mumpsvax is used to vaccinate children whose parents opt out of the triple measles, mumps and rubella jab which was once suspected of links to autism and bowel disease.

Yesterday suppliers confirmed the shortage of Mumpsvax was worrying some parents who still do not trust MMR.

Pharmacist Barry Mickle, of London-based medical supplier Jolinda, said his company had run out of Mumpsvax a month ago.

He added: 'My understanding is that Merck is not manufacturing Mumpsvax at the moment until 2009, so it could be a year before UK clinics will have any.'

[Kitt3n]

krysalyss, that is a worry.

I agree completely that everyone should have the choice - not having the stock doenst leave you with much of a choice does it?!

We have decided that the baby will not have ny jabs until the age of two - at which time we will review circumstances (but unlikely to change our minds).

[Cyathea]

I've never known anyone to actually be able to get the shots separately.

I don't think it is good enough myself...

[Junglemum]

Neuri- i nearly fell off the couch when he emailed me back, you never know!

[neuri]

Hi Everyone,

Yes, I don't think it's good enough either. Perhaps its time we start writing to the Dept of Health to demand that access to separate vaccines be available for those who don't wish to follow the government's prescribed immunisation schedule.

Sammiejane - I was told that I could not order the vaccs myself and that I could only get my GP to do it for me after I sourced for the GP where they were available from. If this ever happened I can't see it being a pleasant experience as my GPs have been less than helpful. If my MCN can do it, all the better! But I figure only an MD can do the ordering first.

Falguni - well I certainly fell off my chair this morning because Dr. Bob emailed me back! His site said he doesn't reply to personal emails from parents. so I was as surprised as you must have been.

Not good news, sadly. Dr. Bob said no one in the US is manufacturing it at the moment, though he did give me the name of a New Jersey company to ask as they were the last known ones. There may be more stock in 12 months time. I will have a go and post here if anything comes of it. Looks like American parents wanting the same option right now are fresh out of luck as well.

I'm taking my DD to see my family in Singapore at the end of the year and our family pediatrician has just informed me that he can get a hold of the vaccs there. I will dbl check that this is accurate info.

thanks for all your help,
neuri

[Junglemum]

Neuri, what a nice surprise. Like i said i was shocked!
If you can get the Vacc's in Singapore, then SOMEONE is making them and surely a GP or pharmacist could order it where ever they are getting it...... You are right on the ordering, you can't just order it yourself, imagine if we could order what we liked!

Good work on the investigation. Keep up the good work!