Chicken Pox Vaccine

Kia542 · 01-27-2008, 02:08 PM

My friend has a four month old daughter who is up for her vaccinations soon. She is torn on whether to give her daughter the chicken pox vaccination. It doesn't last forever and she's worried about her daughter getting chicken pox later in life (or worse, when she becomes pregnant) and we all know chicken pox in adults is much worse than getting it as a child. I would be interested to hear opinions from anyone for and against the vaccination. Should she just do like we all did and let nature run it's course (which would mean if she did get chicken pox as a child she would then be immune in adulthood), or should she get the vaccination (her doctor is reccomending she get it)? Thanks!

Koloe · 01-27-2008, 02:53 PM

Well first off - you shouldn't be giving that vaccination until the child is 1-year-old.

Many school districts are requiring it before entering school - so around age 5 she will need it if she hasn't had chicken pox yet anyway - unless she can sign a waiver form saying it's against her beliefs.

I have not gotten my daughter vaccinated with that one yet. Because there are conflicting opinions on it. Most likely you will need boosters later on in life. But they think it will also give you protection against Shingles. My understanding is you only get Shingles if you had chicken pox earlier in life. And I think you can get chicken pox from someone who has Shingles (if you don't already have immunity). But the vaccine hasn't been around long enough to really justify that theory, as most people who get Shingles are older 50+.

My doctor or the nurse practitioner did mention it was really more of an economic vaccine, as a child could be out of school or daycare for up to 2 weeks if they got it. It's difficult for any parent to take that much time off work.

tinamariebb · 01-27-2008, 09:54 PM

My ped only gives it when the schools or parents demand it. She doesn't think it is necessary, she's been doing this over 15 years (she is still pretty young though). Both of her boys got chicken pox naturally. I figure, if my ped doesn't offer it as part of the normal schedule, why should I be giving it to them. But, I am just starting to question a lot of vaxes, we have alzheimers in our family, and most vaxes have aluminum, and they are starting to see a link between aluminum and alheimers. Watching my grandma going downhill is killing me.
Being a parent is such a hard job!

Emma · 01-28-2008, 12:06 AM

I guess, like Rebecca said, if you can afford to be home with a kiddo that has chicken pox then go the old fashioned way. It some point if the child doesn't get the chicken pox, then you could vaccinate later on. With more kids getting the vaccine, the child is less likely to catch it like we used to. I don't know about aluminum being in the vaccines, I thought it was the mercury we were worried about. The alzheimer's link has been discussed for years. Many folks don't use antiperspirants, cook in aluminum pans, or drink soda out of aluminum cans because of the link, so if there is aluminum in the vaccine I could see the cause for concern.

Koloe · 01-28-2008, 12:20 AM

I think if I don't get Liriel the Chicken Pox vaccine or she doesn't catch it by the time she is about 10 - then I will seriously consider getting her vaccinated. Because Chicken Pox becomes much more problematic when they are teens and adults. On average - some people have little problem with it as an adult and some young children have very severe, and even life threatening complications. So if you do skip a vaccine, you need to seriously consider the ramifications of not doing it and if you are willing to accept the potential ramifications - including death.

Of course there is always the argument about the safety of the vaccines as well. I know they have taken the mercury out of about all the children's vaccines, except the flu vaccine.

Kia542 · 01-28-2008, 11:22 PM

Thanks so much for your advice all. I'll pass along to my friend. I'm not even close, but I completely agree with tinamariebb - I can see parenting will be a very hard job. Thanks again!

Kris · 01-28-2008, 11:44 PM

My two older children have both been vaccinated against chicken pox. Both of my older two children contracted chicken pox. So, not only have they been vaccinated, they've had the disease. My little guy was only 5 weeks at the time...and HE got them.

We refused the 2nd doses, and both my kids have "signed waivers" filed with the school stating our reasons.

Let me tell you... a 5 week old infant, with the chicken pox, is NOT fun!!!