Why get the chicken pox vaccination?

Question

I understand most vaccinations. But to avoid the chicken pox? Why?

Researchers say children getting the pox is a GOOD thing, as their bodies/immune system are learning how to fight. If you don't give them something to fight, how will it strengthen?

They also say, it is actually dangerous to get the vaccination because it will wear off when they are adults, making them susceptible to the pox ..... which can be deadly to adults.

Yes, some families have a bad history of the pox, in which case I understand if you want to avoid it.

But other than that, come on guys .... the chicken pox is no big deal. We, as humans, have been getting it for ages. Don't fall for it. They are not "omg, so dangerous!". In fact, more people have died from the vaccination than the actual chicken pox.

So, WHY get the vacc????

you are susceptible to Shingles when you get the vaccination too.

and, NOBODY has to get the vacc. It is NOT a law. You can get an exempt from your doctor ..... anyone can!

jennie ...something

yes, I know getting them as adults is worse (as I already stated), that why it IS a good idea to get the vacc if you pass a certain age.

"pox parties" ... yep, we still do them =)

Answer 1

jennield - those are called pox parties, and I know plenty of people who still do it.

it's a simple answer to me ;

life long immunity vs. immunity till adulthood (when chix pox are deadly).

They are not typically dangerous, and it's good for a child immune system.

Answer 2

you will have to be revaccinated (get a booster shot) approx. every 10 years unless consensus changes or the vaccine changes. it is not a permanent immunity, at least, the vaccine has not been around long enough to be declared permanent. some studies have shown that 90% of those vaccinated are still protected 5-8 years after receiving the vaccine, others claim up to 20 years of immunity. there is some evidence that those who recieve the vaccine but do not get a booster have a higher chance of catching a '2nd case' of chicken pox. the effect, if any, the vaccine will have on the prevelance of shingles, which is a reactivation of the chicken pox virus later in life with a different symptom set, in unknown.

Answer 3

I've never heard of anyone dying from the varicella vaccine. I do know that there are roughly 100 deaths a year due to chicken pox, and about 11,000 hospitalizations due to chicken pox. More than half of these are from cases where the victims were very young, or had other health conditions (HIV, cancer, etc.)

I don't think they know if it will wear off, although I know the medical community recommends a booster shot after a certain number of years.

That said, I agree with most of your points. For most people, getting this shot is probably a waste of money, and has the potential for worse problems -- such as catching chicken pox as an adult, which is far more dangerous -- down the road. Also, there is a school of thought that states the increase of asthma in industrialized nations *might* be due to the aggresive vaccinations (this has not been proven and I would argue the consequences of NOT vaccinating against the more serious diseases would be far worse, but it is worth noting)

I think this is something that is best left to the individual and their doctor. A definate candidate is an adult who has never had chicken pox.

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-varicella.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/whatifstop.htm#varicella
http://www.drgreene.com/21_510.html

Answer 4

what happens when you get he vax is this.

The vax is some form of the virus sometimes it is called a Modified Live Virus. That is where they take the virus and nuke it to change the structure of the Virus. Now you do not react to the virus in the vax. 99.9% of the time you react to the dilutents in the vax (the Liquid).

Vax like all medicine need to be a theriputic levels in the blood to offer protection. A vax makes your body produce a anit-virus to it. there for offering your body the protection from the real virus the levels in the blood and body are called tiders and yes they can and do fall over time. That is why ou made need boosters over the course of your life.

While in the Army I had to be vaccinated against Rabies seeing as I was a Vet Tech. I had to have my blood drawn every year to check the tider levels to see if I needed revaccinated.

Ok you do not need any Vaccinations so why get any of them. Because they help you stay healthy and they help to keep your kids healthy. The benifits out weigh the risks in this field.

Answer 5

I agree with you that chicken pox in children is no big deal however, it is not a FACT that more people have died from the vaccination than from the actual chicken pox, I have no idea where you got that information. The chicken pox vacccine is more reactive than other vaccines but your statement is simply not true.
Parents need to made an informed decision whether or not to get their children vaccinated. It may be right for some and not for others.

Answer 6

Agreed.

It's the flippen chicken pox. More people have died from the common cold.

Everyone is flipping out BECAUSE there is a vaccination for it.

hook line and sinker

and to the 1st poster ..... a school cannot make you get ANY vaccinations, by law, no one has to.

Answer 7

I have not heard anywhere that the vaccine can wear off. The chicken pox vaccine is not 100% coverage anyway - it just covers most strains.

If you get chicken pox, you are then susceptible to shingles later in life...which can range from being just a minor breakout (what I had), to a major, major problem (my grandfather).

And who, exactly, has died from the vaccination? I seriously question your 'facts' there.

Answer 8

Here's the thing. I agree with you for the most part, but there are so many children getting vaxed that it will be really hard for unvaxed children to catch chicken pox at a "good" age. And then they'll be susceptible when they're adults which could be deadly.
Point being... get your child vaxed.

When I was a child, parents would purposely have their children play with a child that had chicken pox just so they'd get it and be over it. Could you imagine any parent doing that now??

Answer 9

The same was true of measles at one time, but just try mentioning that you are thinking about not getting your child vaccinated against measles (not saying that I'm not going to because I am, I am just making a point).

People tend to do whatever their doctor tells them to without doing the research themselves. Which is ok, they see doctors as someone they hire to research things for them, which works for them. It's just a shame that if a parent chooses to do their own research and question anything that they are considered bad parents rather then informed ones.

Answer 10

the vaccine lessens the case of the pox.

chicken pox can be deadly
the fever can cause a condition called reye syndrome which kills kids

my brother almost died from chicken pox at age 3 his fever got to high and caused reye syndrome
my son has had the shot and so will any other kids i have not worth the risk to me

chicken pox are dangerous read up on it miss thing