poll: chickenpox vaccination

redshoegirl

I've heard two schools of thought about the chickenpox vaccine - the first that it's awesome that our kids can be spared the obnoxious itching, etc., and the second that it's unnecessary since chickenpox is seldom dangerous to children and that natural immunity is preferable.

[Poll]

lelekay

I picked the last option, since I'll probably defer to MH on this one.  Since he's in the medical field, I generally let him decide things like this, as he often has strong feelings one way or the other.  We both tend to be pro-vaccine, though, so I would guess we'd lean that way.

HappyGoLuckyGal

I voted for the first one. I have a lovely scar on my cheek from the chickenpox. Boo!

inamra

Voted for undecided. I was surprised when I saw the varicella vaccine on the list though, because I didn't know until I saw it that we could vaccinate for chickenpox now! BUT I don't really feel like vaccinating LO against non-serious diseases, like chickenpox. I actually didn't want to vaccinate him for the flu either but we ended up getting it since we'll be flying in a few weeks and it'll be flu season and with the holidays around the corner, it was probably the best to do.

MrsNJSwimmer

I have a friend who is a virologist (sp?) and he gave it to his kids, so I followed his lead.  lol

mrsmauimary

Nope, not that vaccine.  We are doing the regular vaccinations as scheduled by Health Canada - but are not going to vaccinate against chickenpox.  Hubs and I both have had it when we were yonger and no issues.   In my opinion, I'm not convinced of the benefits at this time.

sanae78

The only problem I see with not vaccinating is that if a kid is not vaccinated and isn't exposed as a child and they catch it as an adult, the course of the illness is much more severe.  This wasn't as much of a problem before the vaccine when most kids were exposed at a young age, KWIM?  So, yes, I will have her vaccinated.  I guess? 

Hanyi, I had shingles as a teen, too!  It totally sucked.  It may not be that you didn't develop the antibodies.  It usually happens when you are immunocompromised.  I think mine was due to stress.

redshoegirl

sanae78:

The only problem I see with not vaccinating is that if a kid is not vaccinated and isn't exposed as a child and they catch it as an adult, the course of the illness is much more severe.  This wasn't as much of a problem before the vaccine when most kids were exposed at a young age, KWIM?  So, yes, I will have her vaccinated.  I guess? 

This is a really interesting point that I hadn't considered. I guess as more and more people vaccinate against it, it will be harder for them to get it naturally as a child and therefore they're at more risk of adult exposure...I hadn't thought of that at all!

MrsZiz

sanae78:

The only problem I see with not vaccinating is that if a kid is not vaccinated and isn't exposed as a child and they catch it as an adult, the course of the illness is much more severe. 

I agree with this. We didn't do it at the "suggested" age but do plan to do it if she hasn't had it by the time she enters public school, so about age 5. I think the older you are when you get it the more severe it is and I don't want her to have to deal with that later in life, like as a teen or something. I also don't think it's necessary when she's a baby though... We also didn't do the hep B vaccine for several reasons but that's another post  We're also delaying the MMR and we only did one flu shot, not the recommended two... we're different!

cecig

I caught it as an adult, I was 20 years old and it was terrible. That reason alone was enough for me to have DD vaccinated.

MauiWedding08

nope.  perhaps I'll reevaluate if he has not gotten it before starting middle school.  Many people don't get the vaccine around here so I am pretty sure he has a reasonably good chance of contracting it at some point.