Meningococcal group Y vaccination trial - would you take part?

[littlepickle]

Evening all :-)

I received a letter this morning from the Mater asking if I would take part - or rather - would I let dd take part in the trial of the meningococcal group Y vaccine at her 2 month vaccinations.

This is what it says:
"One of the vaccinations listed on the national immunisation schedule has been developed to prevent meningococcal group C disease within our community and it is recommended that baby receives this vaccine at 12 months of age. As you are probably aware, other strains of meningococcal diseases exist which are not prevented by this vaccine.
The Mater Children's Emergency Department is currently conducting a vaccine research trial, investigating a combination vaccine to help prevent meningitis. As part of this study, babies enrolled, will receive all the recommended vaccines, and may also receive a vaccine that is aimed at preventing both the meningococcal group C disease as well as meningococcal group Y disease. Babies receiving this new research vaccine will be vaccinated against these meningococcal diseases from the age of 2 months."

I had an appointment with the pediatrician this morning and asked his opinion on this vaccine as I was a bit scared of the word "trial" and "research" but apparently, the vaccine has been used for years in other countries, and the only reason it has been classed as a "trial" is because it needs to be used on "X" amount of Australian babies before getting the endorsement or whatever from the Australian govenment or something like that.
I am still in two minds about what to do, I am going to do some research on the vaccine, and find out everything I can before making my mind up, but I do think that the threat of meningitis in a baby under 12 months is very "real" and would like to be able to protect DD from getting it, I just dont want to put her in any potential danger from the vaccine itself. Does anyone know about this new vaccine, or has anyone elses babies been given the vaccine with no problems?
DD will be getting all of the other recommended vaccines as I do believe in vaccinating. This is not a thread debating whether or not to vaccinate as a whole, rather, it is to get an opinion on the new meningococcal group Y vaccine, and to get feedback from anyone whose babies have been given this vaccine.

Thanks :D

[xkwzit]

Hiya LP

I can't really help you directly with your query, but one thing I would weigh up is while MenC is only 30% of total Men infections, it is the most dangerous strain. So you would be protecting your baby against one of the less harmful strains of Meningococcyl.

I don't have a really good handle on the percent of cases that are MenY or how dangerous MenY is, but I think that is a good q to ask of the researchers.

Also why imm at 2 months for this, rather than at 12 months like MenC? I know that DD1 starting daycare was a trigger for me to get her MenC vax. I am sure I did it after 12 months.

I seem to have more questions than answers for you - sorry.

Cheers

[sleepyhead]

No i wouldnt let scientists use my dd for testing which is really what they are asking. They dont know what its side effects are.

[littlepickle]

Hi X

Thanks for your reply, I have loads of questions too - I think the whole point is that bubs would be vaccinated at 2 months for men raher than 12 months, but what are the chances of getting meningitis when not at school or daycare etc - I guess it is a bit like the Hep B vaccine debate. I turned down the hep b vaccine at birth as I didnt believe that bub was at risk between birth and 2 months of getting hep b. I didnt realise that Men Y was a less harmfull strain of the disease though. At the moment, I am tending towards not getting the Y vaccine as I am concerned about any side affects in taking part in such a trial - and that compared to the chance of contracting meningitis Y when dd is at home with me all day which is quite remote, makes it seem like more risk than benefit IMO

[littlepickle]

No i wouldnt let scientists use my dd for testing which is really what they are asking. They dont know what its side effects are.

I dont think it is actually for testing as this vaccine is in use in other countries, and has been for some time. Apparently, it has to be called a trial until a certain amount of Australian babies have had it in order for it to receive the Austraian endorsement or something like that.
That said- I still dont think I like the idea of it!

[xkwzit]

I think that I think along the same lines as you. There are some vaxes I did get that I prob wouldn't have done if DDs were not in day care - but I didn't need to get them until they were 12 months old.

I also turned down the Hep B at birth (paed said if she had the 2, 4, 6 month shots, she'd still be completely protected). I can't really call myself a selective vaxxer though, eventually they got everything on the schedule and THEN some :D.

Good luck with your decision