Chicken pox vaccine?

Question

Did your child get the chicken pox vaccine? Why or why not? Is it required in your state for your child to have it? Anyone have some helpful sites about the chicken pox vaccine? I am torn if i want my daughter to get it or not, so I am just seeking some more information.

Answer 1

In general, chicken pox is a pretty mild childhood disease, although with some children it can turn into a killer. It really depends on how comfortable you are with the risk.

My daughters did not get vaccinated, although my oldest got a shot as soon as her symptoms showed up, and wound up with only two or three spots. My youngest didn't have a very bad case, either, but she seemed sick for much longer (then again, we were travelling when she caught it )-: -- what a nightmare!)

Chicken pox has made the rounds of our little town this month, and some kids who had the vaccine still caught chicken pox -- although it was a very mild case.

There are many times when a vaccine would be more convenient than catching the "wild" virus, because you can control the timing (ie: the child will be "sick" when it's convenient for you). Consider it seriously if:
1. If you are a working mother -- especially if it's hard to get time off during certain periods of the year.
2. You travel with your children.
3. Volunteer or other work would make a case of chicken pox a serious inconvenience.
4. Your child is above a certain age -- older children (teens and adults) are harder hit by the virus.
5. Your child is under the age of two and in day care.

If your child is between two and six, I'd consider purposely exposing him or her to chicken pox, just to get it out of the way.

Oh, be sure whatever you do, you write it down in a safe place -- if the child has caught the wild virus, or if you've gone for a vaccination. This is important information for many medical forms, and anytime the virus makes the rounds. My mom put it in a baby book; we have a little notebook for immunizations, and I wrote it in there.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

My first two children did not have the opportunity to have the vaccine and they got the chicken pox really bad! My second two children did get the vaccine and they have not gotten the chicken pox, although I do believe they will be getting a booster vaccine around the age of 12 yrs. Definitely go with the shot! Hindsight is always 20/20!

Answer 3

Hardly any child will get the vaccine here in Holland - and while I'm anal about all the other vaccines to be given on time, the chicken pox vaccine is useless and increases your childs risk to get shingles later on.

My DD had the chicken pox last summer - and as long as you know the remedies for it, your child won't suffer a lot, but will have lifelong immunity in most cases. That isn't the case with the shot, your DD will need refresher-shots later in life.

My DD had an average case, but it only hindered her like 3 days, after that, she was feeling just fine, nevermind she got them during a heat-period (heat makes the itching worse), but we had menthol powder and I had her swimming in the sea - both helps to dry the blisters out faster and to minimize the itching. She doesn't have any scars from it, either, had a low fever on the first day, was a bit clingy and whiney for 3 days, but that was basically it - she suffered more from every stomach bug she had so far than from the chicken pox.

There was a chicken pox epidemy here last summer, so most of her friends had it at the same time - they counted their blisters and bragged about the number, LOL.

BTW, the state you live in can not require you to get the shot for your child - you have the right to decline it for religious and/or ideologic reasons. The school or daycare needs to be informed, but they can't force you to get the shot for your DD.

Answer 4

My son had the vaccine, but my daughters did not. They caught chicken pox instead. I was worried that the vaccine would wear off when they became adults. Chicken pox during pregnancy is just as bad as the measles.

Answer 5

I don't know where you live but in Indiana, it is a required vaccination now. I think one of the big concerns is how long it lasts. I have heard that these children may need to get boosters when they are older. I know the vaccine has only been around since the mid 90s. It came out right after my son had the disease.

Answer 6

go to the CDC web site and look into this. the varicella imm. is really not required. if you wave the shot than your kid does not have to have it but it is highly recommended. why not give it to them? your baby will be getting a whole lot of shots anyways whats one more gonna do?
there are some side effects listed for the shot but i have been a medical assistant (I'm the one who gives the shots) for about 3 years now and i have only had one kid come back with some swelling at the injection site due to an allergy he had to the immunization.
please consider the shot for your child's sake. chicken pox is no fun to get!

Answer 7

My son did, at the time we were in GA and they require it before the kids start school , Here where I live and came back to NY , it is not required. If you want to take a chance being out of work for 2 weeks with a sick spotty child, then don't get it, I went through it myself and Im so glad my son will never have to experience that itching and scarring. Boy was that uncomfortable.

Answer 8

Please don't be scared of the vaccine, be very afraid of the disease. They have been vaccinating us for chicken pox since the late 50's, it works and it won't make your child autisitic.