Chickenpox from the vaccine?

Mrs. Destructo

Have any of your kids gotten the pox from the shot?

My kids had the chickenpox vaccine about 1.5 weeks ago (along with the MMR). Yesterday Leo was a little bit boogery, but not enough for me to think he was getting sick. When we bathed him he had a few red bumps on his skin, but we thought they were ant bites because we laid him down in the grass at the park yesterday before we spotted some ants (yeah, we win the parents of the year award).

Well, today he has a good 2-300 little spots on his trunk, some on his arms and legs, and a few on his neck/head. He seems to be okay otherwise - no fever, no runny nose, not cranky, etc. I did some googling, and it really looks to me like he has chickenpox now! 

Anyway, the pedi's office is closed, and he's not nearly sick enough to go to Urgent Care, but I'm wondering if any of you have been through this, and how long I can expect him to have the rash. I really hope we don't have to skip Thanksgiving this year because of this!!

Lani Lyons

Hmm. Mine just had the MMR, Chicken pox vacc, and flu shot.. and our nurse said that it wasn't a live vaccine that they were getting, so it wouldn't actually give them it. (I guess we could have gotten different shots, though) BUT, she did say that with the MMR and varicella, there is another side effect to be aware of, which is a rash that could develop up to a month after getting the shots, and if that occurred, to call. So maybe its just a reaction to the vaccinations and not just chicken pox? I hope it goes away quickly!

Jessarella

Poor little guy! Do they not seem like they are bothering him? If I remember right, don't chicken pox itch like hell? Well if your other baby gets it you will know for sure they are chicken pox since they are highly contagious.

I think if he had 300 ants on him you would have noticed. I bet you anything it is a reaction from the shots. 

Hopefully they don't bother him. You could always try an oatmeal bath, and some benedryl cream.

SCOOTER

I'm also pretty sure the Chickenpox virus is a dead virus.  I had one twin get sick and then the first day after she felt better, she broke out in a rash all over her trunks, tiny little raised spots.  We happen to be at the ped and she def said it looked like a viral rash.  It didn't bother her and it went away in a day or so.  I would say it was that. 

mommyof4boys

My oldest son had the vacciene before it was manditory to get it.  He got the chicken pox after he had his vaccine.  We chose to delay it for the 3 younger kids until they reached school age (or preschool age) as a result.

Lani Lyons

I found this too.. Either I got confused and heard wrong , or my nurse misspoke, but it is a live vaccine, and a small percentage of kids do get it..

"Can the vaccine cause chickenpox?"
Because this vaccine is made from a live, but weakened, virus, about 1% of recipients develop a mild form of the disease, consisting of a limited rash, most often with only 5-6 blisters. Usually there is no fever. These persons are then safe from the more serious, naturally occurring form of the virus.