Meningitis

[Guest guest]

I've been reading all your emails about the Meningitis jab with interest

because I thought long and hard about having my children vaccinated. This

evening though I had a call from Iona's playgroup leader to say that one of

the children is critically ill in hospital with meningitis. Obviously I

feel terribly for the child concerned and her family but it has really

brought home to me what it is you are dealing with and I am extremely glad

we had our children immunised.

We made the decision after a recent Measles scare at our mother and toddler

group. At the time the Health Authority took it extremely seriously. As

one of the leaders I was advised to let all thirty families know that had

come into contact with the child concerned. More than 2/3rds of the

children hadn't been immunised, mostly because they were too young. Yes, I

know Measles isn't always serious but for a number of the children there it

could have been very serious, those who already had health problems for

example. I was told this is becoming an increasing problem and it made me

think again. My children are very healthy and I imagine could probably

fight off most things but if by not having them immunised I put other

children in danger, surely this is wrong? There were a number of one year

olds there, too young for the jab but old enough to have lost the immunity

from their mothers/breastfeeding and it was one of these that contracted

Measles.

I realise this viewpoint is controversial, but I do think there is more to

think about than possible side effects to vaccinations.

Mid Sussex Branch

(Mum to Iona & Findlay)