The MMR coffee morning

nichih: My son has Down's syndrome and I am worried about giving him the MMR. He's 18 months old and should have had it six months ago. My health visitor has advised me, due to my concern, to leave it until he is nearer two as by that time any autistic tendencies will show themselves. Fortunately we live in an area with quite a high take-up so she tells me his chances of catching mumps, etc., is fairly low.

I have read the leaflets but to be honest a lot of the time I feel that parents' concerns aren't even acknowledged because they are so preoccupied with telling us how great the triple vaccine is.

Obviously I am concerned for my son who, quite frankly, has enough to deal with without chucking autism on top!
Dr Howard LeeI can totally understand and also sympathise with your worries and concerns; the recommendations of most specialists would be that if there is an existing 'vulnerability' (Down's), then protection from other damaging conditions should be even more important.