Why Chicken Pox Vaccination???

We never got this as kids, why now?

Re: Why Chicken Pox Vaccination???

ugh I asked this questions to my ped on Tuesday and she said well it would be great if we could guarantee that she would get the chickenpox without complications naturally but we can't so its the reponsible thing to do. I asked about the effectiveness and she said that they give the chickenpox vaccine twice (I am guessing the second time its a booster).

I am SO torn on what to do.....my DD has gotten a fever from her 2,4 and 6 month shots...so the "big" shots scare me.

Re: Why Chicken Pox Vaccination???

I thought that vaccinations only became available in the mid-1990's? I thought that was why we didn't receive it.

I got it in kindergarden...the actual virus.

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It's a "new" vaccine.

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The ped who wrote Baby 411 (which I found really useful) strongly suggested the chicken pox vaccine. She had a five year old patient die of a staph infection after getting chicken pox. Granted, the chance is probably slim, but I didn't want to risk it.

Re: Why Chicken Pox Vaccination???

Hmm..ok I was just reading that its only effective till age ten...Are there any negatives to it? I think my ped is going to give it at the next visit.

Re: Why Chicken Pox Vaccination???

well, if you get immunized, you won't get shingles later in life...

the actual disease isn't that horrific... especially for kids aged 3-8. I had it at age 3 and only received a few pox, and it disappeared immediately afterwards. I had titers done, and I'm completely immune as an adult. Shingles is a PITA, though... My mom has it. That's when the pox virus settles down in your peripheral nervous system and re-emerges as an adult....

I will immunize DS, but not until all the major vaccinations are done

Re: Why Chicken Pox Vaccination???

Re: Why Chicken Pox Vaccination???

I think a vaccine for this is ridiculous IMO. Everyone I know had the disease and was fine other than a few scars.

Re: Why Chicken Pox Vaccination???

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I know chicken pox doesn't seem "dangerous" but honestly, I had it at 16 years old- and I have horrible scarring from it- it was awful.

My mom TRIED to have me "catch" chicken pox from my cousin- and I would never catch it.

It was awful- and I wouldn't wish it on anyone- hence why I gave DD the shot... i now walk around with horrible pox marks on my face b/c of it.

Re: Why Chicken Pox Vaccination???

Posted by Goobster

Posted by Kelly9904

Posted by XcalystaX

ugh I asked this questions to my ped ...she said well it would be great if we could guarantee that she would get the chickenpox without complications naturally but we can't so its the reponsible thing to do.

I also asked my ped and her feedback was similar. She said often in smaller children chicken pox can lead to much bigger issues and even death in some cases. (I am sure its rare but still) Then I remember my brother who at 7 was hospitalized for over a month because what started as chicken pox became pneumonia and strep and who knows what else (I wasn’t born yet) but he was very ill due to this and basically my ped said my brother is a prime example of why the vaccine is now given.

Interesting to read this, never heard of anyone having a bad response like this. Thanks for sharing.

Re: Why Chicken Pox Vaccination???

From WebMD:

Complications of chickenpox

Skin infection is the most common complication of chickenpox. Skin infections occur when bacteria from your skin or under your fingernails get into a chickenpox blister. Sometimes a skin infection from chickenpox can be serious.

Other complications of chickenpox are rare. They include:

* Varicella pneumonia. Pneumonia can develop if the chickenpox virus travels to your lungs. Pneumonia from chickenpox is most common in teens, adults, and pregnant women who have chickenpox in the last part of pregnancy. It is also more likely to develop in people who smoke cigarettes, have lifelong (chronic) lung diseases, or have impaired immune systems.
* Inflammation (swelling) of the brain, known as encephalitis. Encephalitis can develop about 5 to 10 days after the chickenpox rash appears. In children, encephalitis most often affects a specific part of the brain (cerebellum) and is called acute cerebellar ataxia. It mainly causes poor muscle coordination, although other symptoms of encephalitis can also occur. In adults, this complication is more likely to affect a bigger part of the brain and cause more severe symptoms. Encephalitis symptoms include confusion, a high fever, a severe headache, sleepiness, sensitivity to light, and nausea. In the most serious cases, a person may have seizures or tremors. Treatment may include medication to help relieve symptoms. Some people with encephalitis may need to stay in the hospital.
* Vision loss. Chickenpox virus that spreads into the clear eye covering (cornea) can leave scars that can cause vision loss.
* Reye's syndrome. Reye's syndrome can develop in young people who take aspirin during chickenpox or flu treatment. It can be prevented by not giving aspirin to anyone under the age of 20.
* Inflammation of the joints (arthritis). Sometimes people with chickenpox have pain in their muscles and joints. This pain usually lasts as long as the chickenpox rash. Medications taken for fever or other general illness often help ease the pain.

The following complications of chickenpox are very rare:

* Inflammation of the nerves of the eye (optic neuritis) or the spinal cord.
* Inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
* Nerve damage that causes problems with movement of the face or other parts of the body.
* Certain blood disorders, such as a decrease in the number of blood cells that help clot blood (thrombocytopenia).
* Death. Before introduction of the chickenpox vaccine in the United States in 1995, about 100 people died each year from chickenpox.

Women who are pregnant when they have chickenpox are at risk of complications such as premature labor or varicella pneumonia, and the fetus is at risk of developing chickenpox. Fetuses with chickenpox are more likely to develop birth defects or other complications before and after birth. Newborn babies can also get chickenpox when their mother has the illness within a few days of delivery.

Re: Why Chicken Pox Vaccination???

Well...we never got the Chicken Pox Vaccination and with my last pregnancy I ended up with Chicken box about 3 weeks before my due date. It was not fun at all. If the baby was born while I had them or within a certain time frame of me having them. She could have been born with them or ended up getting them. If you get Chicken Pox in your 1st trimester it is very serious for the fetus because it can create abnormalities. It was the scariest thing and I worried the whole time even after she was born. Wish I had the Chicken Pox vaccine when I was little!

Message edited 1/30/2009 2:36:55 PM.

Re: Why Chicken Pox Vaccination???

Sassy my mom tried to do the same thing to me with my cousin and uncle and I never caught...I did when I was 27 though.

Message edited 1/30/2009 10:09:50 AM.

Re: Why Chicken Pox Vaccination???

I though if you had it, you cant get it

Re: Why Chicken Pox Vaccination???

THe vaccination for chicken pox came out around 1995. My eldest daughter had it when it was still wasnt available to everyone.

The effectiveness of the vaccine isnt as up to par as the other vaccines. I believe it's around 80%.

It's now maditory (at least in NY State) for entry into Kindergarten.

Look at it this way. We have been immunized againest German Measles for years...German Measles (Rubella) in and of itself is very mild. The issues with it is that it's detrimental if a women contracts it while pregnant.

Re: Why Chicken Pox Vaccination???

I'm really leery of this vax mainly because its effectiveness has been questioned. Chicken pox is rarely dangerous for children, but very dangerous for adults.

I would rather my son contract the disease and develop immunity to it as a child, than take the chances of the vaccine not giving him life-time immunity, leaving him vulnerable as an adult. I would be even more concerned about this with a girl since chicken pox in pregnancy can lead to birth defects.

Re: Why Chicken Pox Vaccination???

Message edited 1/30/2009 1:55:47 PM.

Re: Why Chicken Pox Vaccination???

My DH actually had to get the vaccine recently because he never had them as a child and has no immunity. If an adult male contracts the chicken pox it can be very serious and can cause sterility. He actually had to get it on the same day that my DD got it.

Re: Why Chicken Pox Vaccination???

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Question: Is it safe to give your child the vaccine if you are in your first trimester of pregnancy? We might be TTC when its my DD's turn for the vaccine.