random thought, potential controversy

asyph107 · May 2013

What do people think about chicken pox parties?

We are pretty good about vaccines, they boys get theirs no more than two at a time but they get them..However DH has been very strongly against the chicken pox vac, and he said he wants to see if the boys get it and if not he will let them get the vac before school (since they can't be enrolled without it)

This all came into my brain today because the office manager I work with her son may have chicken pox. So thoughts? I got chicken pox from my school aged brothers, all three of us got them at the same time, and no biggie but I know that is just one story of the illness.

[Deleted User] · May 2013

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Leap08 · May 2013

I don't really see any reason not to get the chicken pox vaccine. It protects your child not only from getting chicken pox, but also from developing shingles later in life.

That said, if you aren't going to vaccinate, I'd expose your children to it when you have the chance. Actual outbreaks of chicken pox are becoming more and more rare because most people do vaccinate for it, so they won't be naturally exposed to it very often. They say it's easier to have it as a child, so I'd just try to get it over with.

bridein08 · May 2013

Leap08:
I don't really see any reason not to get the chicken pox vaccine. It protects your child not only from getting chicken pox, but also from developing shingles later in life.
That said, if you aren't going to vaccinate, I'd expose your children to it when you have the chance. Actual outbreaks of chicken pox are becoming more and more rare because most people do vaccinate for it, so they won't be naturally exposed to it very often. They say it's easier to have it as a child, so I'd just try to get it over with.

No. It absolutely does NOT protect against shingles, and the duration of the vaccine efficacy is actually unknown. There will be more boosters than just the two in the series when we learn more about how long the vaccine will last.

I was not planning on getting DS vaccinated, as I had seen kids get Chicken Poc from the vaccine , and preferred for him to get it naturally so that he would have a lifelong immunity (versus getting the vaccine and getting chickenpox as an adult and possibly having long termm side effects), but decided to vax in the end. There will be more known about more needed boosters by the time our LOs are a little older and it shouldn't be a concern.

MesmrEwe · May 2013

I have a friend who invited me to one - Honestly, I'm not a fan of the "pox parties", but I should add I'm not too big of a fan of the vaccine either. I much prefer the natural course of the Chicken Pox and would rather it be included on FMLA for the time off needed by the parents and schools to allow for the absence to be excused...

That said - yea, both kids got the vaccination, but that still doesn't mean that I like it nor would I opt for a booster..

bridein08 · May 2013

MesmrEwe:
I have a friend who invited me to one - Honestly, I'm not a fan of the "pox parties", but I should add I'm not too big of a fan of the vaccine either. I much prefer the natural course of the Chicken Pox and would rather it be included on FMLA for the time off needed by the parents and schools to allow for the absence to be excused...
That said - yea, both kids got the vaccination, but that still doesn't mean that I like it nor would I opt for a booster..

i'm 99% sure that the majority of states require two chickenpox vax (usually at a year and at 4) for admittance to kindergarten. Is your state different?

I am totally with you though- I would prefer that DS got it naturally, but I am not a fan of the parties either. And local outbreaks just don't happen anymore.

Leap08 · May 2013

bridein08:
Leap08:
I don't really see any reason not to get the chicken pox vaccine. It protects your child not only from getting chicken pox, but also from developing shingles later in life.
That said, if you aren't going to vaccinate, I'd expose your children to it when you have the chance. Actual outbreaks of chicken pox are becoming more and more rare because most people do vaccinate for it, so they won't be naturally exposed to it very often. They say it's easier to have it as a child, so I'd just try to get it over with.
No. It absolutely does NOT protect against shingles, and the duration of the vaccine efficacy is actually unknown. There will be more boosters than just the two in the series when we learn more about how long the vaccine will last.
I was not planning on getting DS vaccinated, as I had seen kids get Chicken Poc from the vaccine , and preferred for him to get it naturally so that he would have a lifelong immunity (versus getting the vaccine and getting chickenpox as an adult and possibly having long termm side effects), but decided to vax in the end. There will be more known about more needed boosters by the time our LOs are a little older and it shouldn't be a concern.

The varicella vaccine (Varivax) has become a routine childhood immunization to prevent chickenpox. The vaccine is also recommended for adults who've never had chickenpox. Though the vaccine doesn't guarantee you won't get chickenpox or shingles, it can reduce your chances of complications and reduce the severity of the disease.

https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/shingles/DS00098/DSECTION=prevention

MesmrEwe · May 2013

I'm not 100% on what our state requires anymore since DD is already in school...

I used to be 100% pro-vaccinating... Until I had a 6w long reaction with asthma flair to the DTaP, and then DS got one rather similar after his (about 2mo after I had gotten mine) and was reminded of why my previous doc switched me to just Tetanus shots because I didn't have the severe reaction as I have every time I've had the combination... Ever since I've been A LOT more skeptical about modern vaccines..

bridein08 · May 2013

Leap08:
bridein08:
Leap08:
I don't really see any reason not to get the chicken pox vaccine. It protects your child not only from getting chicken pox, but also from developing shingles later in life.
That said, if you aren't going to vaccinate, I'd expose your children to it when you have the chance. Actual outbreaks of chicken pox are becoming more and more rare because most people do vaccinate for it, so they won't be naturally exposed to it very often. They say it's easier to have it as a child, so I'd just try to get it over with.
No. It absolutely does NOT protect against shingles, and the duration of the vaccine efficacy is actually unknown. There will be more boosters than just the two in the series when we learn more about how long the vaccine will last.
I was not planning on getting DS vaccinated, as I had seen kids get Chicken Poc from the vaccine , and preferred for him to get it naturally so that he would have a lifelong immunity (versus getting the vaccine and getting chickenpox as an adult and possibly having long termm side effects), but decided to vax in the end. There will be more known about more needed boosters by the time our LOs are a little older and it shouldn't be a concern.
The varicella vaccine (Varivax) has become a routine childhood immunization to prevent chickenpox. The vaccine is also recommended for adults who've never had chickenpox. Though the vaccine doesn't guarantee you won't get chickenpox or shingles, it can reduce your chances of complications and reduce the severity of the disease.
https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/shingles/DS00098/DSECTION=prevention

Uh, yes. Which is the knowledge I had previously. Look at your post above- you stated that if they get the vaccine, they won't get the disease (shingles) which just isn't true. I an a pediatric rn who has given thousands of these vaccines, and have actually seen children develop shingles as a result of the vaccine.

Courtimilk · May 2013

I would have been all for pox parties prior to finding out the connection between chicken pox and shingles. Between the knowledge of the public health nurses and my research, the vaccine seems like the best decision for my family.

My cousin's wife developed shingles in her brain prior to her fortieth birthday. She slipped into a coma before eventually passing on and leaving 3 young children behind. I know it was probably a ''fluke'' but I sleep better knowing that I did what I could with the best information that I had.

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