Chicken Pox vaccine - What are some reasons why people choose to delay it?

DS' 15 month apptmt is tomorrow and I think the ped will want to give the chicken pox vaccine.

I am always so worried about vaccines. I worked on an inpatient peds rehab unit where I was exposed to children who became very sick (and thus needed intense physical rehab) because they either didn't get a vaccine (one kid almost died from swine flu) or because they DID get a vaccine (child developed transverse myelitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord after getting the chicken pox vaccine). I remember the head doctor being really insensitive and commenting on how parents are aware that vaccines carry risks.

So, i have seen the good and bad of vaccines, and can't make up my mind about what to do tomorrow.

What are some of the reasons people have for either delaying or not giving the chicken pox vaccine?

Re: Chicken Pox vaccine - What are some reasons why people choose to delay it?

I'm not aware of its side effects, but I do know its live virus. And it also wears off, so they may need it again later in life.

Its one of those illnesses that a lot of people think, children are better off getting and gaining natural immunity, since most children handle the illness well.

Re: Chicken Pox vaccine - What are some reasons why people choose to delay it?

Re: Chicken Pox vaccine - What are some reasons why people choose to delay it?

As you already know, there are risks involved with getting vaccines.

I chose to not give my DS vaccinations until he's immunity is stronger - after 2yo.

My reasoning is if he's going to be sick, it will be from something that ran its course, not from something I chose to give him despite knowing the potential risks.

Re: Chicken Pox vaccine - What are some reasons why people choose to delay it?

Re: Chicken Pox vaccine - What are some reasons why people choose to delay it?

I held off a bit because I wanted it done alone.

I'm one of 'those moms' who is against the cluster of drugs pumped into my child.

So i put it off.

I live by the CDC's guidelines though. I just stretch them to the fullest extent. Means she'll get some stuff early and others later as long as it all falls into the 'range' I'm ok.

That's how I got my very strict vaccine pushing office to grudgingly agree with me.

Re: Chicken Pox vaccine - What are some reasons why people choose to delay it?

I delayed it nly because I didnt want to give her the chicken pox and MMR at the same time. So I just split them and made sure I gave them alone.

I never had the chicken pox and got tha vaccine when I was in middle school. I know (because of IVF teting) that I no longer have the immunities so I needed her to get it because I was TTC and didnt want to risk getting chicken pox while I was pg with #2 etc.

Re: Chicken Pox vaccine - What are some reasons why people choose to delay it?

Because I dont think that it is necessary to have. JMO.

Re: Chicken Pox vaccine - What are some reasons why people choose to delay it?

I delayed it for my DS because at the time I was pregnant with my DD and a certain amount of kids actually get a slight chicken pox outbreak from it. I did not want to risk getting chicken pox when I was pregnant. I did get them as a child, but only a mild case.

Both my DC have received the chicken pox shot even thought I used to think they were not that necessary and then a couple of weeks a go a friend of mine posted this on facebook:
"might be provocative now, but highly recommends all of you parents out there who haven't immunized your kids against chicken pox to do it! Today, on New years eve, we had our third - and hopefully the last - doctor's visit because of complications from a chicken pox infection a month ago...".

Now I am glad I did give them the shots and I am thinking they are more necessary than I thought.

Re: Chicken Pox vaccine - What are some reasons why people choose to delay it?

My pediatrician gives it at 12 months I gave it at 14 months.

She did get a mild case of chicken pox/ rash from it that last 1 month. 1-2 pox broke o ut a week for about a months. They didnt seem to bother her at all and the dr told me to except that.

I didnt givre it at 12months bc we were going on vacation and I didnt know how she would react to it and I am glad we waited till we came back.

Re: Chicken Pox vaccine - What are some reasons why people choose to delay it?

i would have delayed it if it were given the same time as the MMR. but my ped gives them at 12 months and the MMR at 15. so i let him get it at 12. he had a slight fever a week later but was otherwise fine.

Re: Chicken Pox vaccine - What are some reasons why people choose to delay it?

Re: Chicken Pox vaccine - What are some reasons why people choose to delay it?

We delayed the chicken pox with my older DD until she went to pre-school at 3- it was a requirement that she had it then. The reason why we delayed was because of the risks of her getting chicken pox marks- i wanted her to be old enough to know not to scratch and not be a little child not knowing what was wrong with her.

Re: Chicken Pox vaccine - What are some reasons why people choose to delay it?

Yeah, I am all for vaccines for things like polio, measles, Hepatitis, meningitis etc.
Things that can be deadly.
But chicken pox?
I mean I had it as a kid- a very bad cas eno less- and I survived.
I feel like when we were kids it was like a right of passage.

I am sure children have gotten very sick from chicken pox, but I still dont' know if the risks of that warrant me giving DD a vaccine for it.

Is it required by law for school??

Re: Chicken Pox vaccine - What are some reasons why people choose to delay it?

I think it's completely unnecessary, my kids will not be getting it.