Chicken Pox Vaccination

[Tuesday's Child]

This is something I've been thinking about even though DD is only 10 months old so we don't have to worry about it for a while. After reading this thread, I'd like to share my thoughts:

Chicken pox is relatively 'harmless' while young. But I don't want DD to get in when she's older because she may suffer more with it and it may affect her ability to have children. If we vaccinate now, she'll need a booster in high school anyway. So, I'm thinking we'll forgo the CP vaccine at 18 months and then reconsider it when she's older. The possibility of developing shingles later concerns me too.

[Trillian]

i just find it interesting how people decide to not immunise. and feel well its not prevelent in my area so i dont need to. but the reason its not prevelant is because people are immunising against an illness to help reduce its occurance and its working.
the more people who do not immunise the more chance there is of an illness coming back

That statement is largely incorrect. The varicella vaccine has been available for LESS than 10 years and has only been free/recommended since May 1, 2004, so there is a large proportion of the population who is unvaccinated against it. So it is probably jumping the gun a little to say that. Which means that chicken pox is still very prevalent and that is why I suggested that a person do their own risk assessment for it. It has nothing at all to do with it not being in an area, but waht sort of exposure you might out yourself in - such as a childcare centre of a school kwim? Just remember that informed decision is a two way street

[kawazuki]

i totally agree trillian that it is a two way street. i like to walk backwards down the main street some days.. and this is a topic i have done a lot of study and research into. the government feel i am educated enough to administer these vaccines.
that was more of a general statement not just limited to varicilla. as yes it is a relatively new vaccine here in australia.. and it has a term called "herd immunisation" were people feel a safe as its no longer a common occurrence so they believe that it no longer exists..

but if you do look at how many cases are now being recorded as to 10 years ago there is a drastic drop. hence the vaccine is having its desired effect by the national immunisation board. ( not generally everyone opinion).

i am happy to accept that someone doesn't want to vaccinate, i also think twice about some vaccines and the schedule in which they are given.
and that is why i like BB as it shows us both sides and allows us the then ask further questions and in the end we get the maximum information and are able to make a decision which is right for us

[skybie]

DD1 still hasnt had the CP vaccine and i got the immunisation allowance for her, without signing any forms too.
We're undecided whether or not to give it to her, if we do it will be around primary school age. i dnt see it as an important vaccine, kids who have been vaccinated still get it and as PP said it doesnt last long either, so then u have to go well will i keep getting my child boosted to make sure its constantly covered ITMS?
Good luck with ur decision hun

[Trillian]

I just think that chicken pox has a long way to go before it can be compared to something such as Polio

[Miss.September]

Thanks everyone and thanks Kawazuki for the link too.

I hate the way all the warnings tell you what the minor side effects are, but never the major ones. Just the comment that serious ones are rare and if they appear to contact the GP. To make an informed choice, they should say all of the effects and not list a generalisation. Unless, of course, I'm looking in the wrong places.

DH is concerned that if DD gets chicken pox, he will too as he has never had it before. I've explained that she can still get it even if immunised, but it should be a minor case. She isn't in childcare or playgroup, so chances of her getting it now is if we pass a sick child in the supermarket, so the concern is for when she is older, and then the disease is worse than when she is little. Still a bit to think about, but thanks for all the imput

[Trillian]

I suppose his chances of getting it as the same as what they would be if he caught it off a stranger kwim? Maybe he should consider getting to done for himself. I totally agree with the information that you are given. Unless you specifically try to seek it out, you just aren't told. The information sheets they give you at the time you have them done just don't give you enough details.

[Miss.September]

I suppose his chances of getting it as the same as what they would be if he caught it off a stranger kwim? Maybe he should consider getting to done for himself.

LOL, Trillian. I've got about as much chance of getting him to get one as I have of growing a second head. But won't I hear about it if he gets sick!!!!! He's Da Man!!

[Junglemum]

the Japanese vaccine is different. from memory the original one was a live vaccine. i have the material on it here somewhere..

live vaccines tend to have more serious reactions as its the actual virus which is being injected not just the memory on how to fight it

Isn't the Varicella in Australia a live vaccine?

[Trillian]

according to the AVN website it is still a live vaccine.

[MrsC_Aussie]

just wanted to say thanks to everyone for your comments, has been really good to read everyone' opinions We decided before bub was born that we weren't going to give bub this vaccine, but as she's 18 months and has her nurse appointment today I just wanted to refresh my reasonings in my mind

thanks all

[BeautifulMadness]

Well i figure this if both my boys vaccines are up to date 4 yrs and 18 mths why would i stop now? chicken pox is not fun and i dont want my kids going through it to be honest.

I want to give them the best protection. My 18 mth old is getting his done this week.

MY MIL got shingles it was horrible.

[kawazuki]

Isn't the Varicella in Australia a live vaccine?

yes your correct, sorry the info i had was of teh one they were trying to get into australia which wasn't live, but success rate was to low or something.
sorry been moving, just found info now i have unpacked.

[STARRYSKY]

I chose not to vax DS against cp, then he caught it off a child at MG who broke out in a contagious cp rash after being administered the vax.

[butterfly_warrior]

At this point, we aren't doing the CP vaccine. I'm on immune suppressing drugs and dealing with a baby who has just been vaccinated with a live virus is painful. Nobody can tell me whether my immunity from having CP as a child will still hold in the face of the immune suppression.

If Sam gets it, so be it. It's generally much more serious for older children and adults than it is for a child. If we get to school age and he's still not had CP, then at that point I would seriously consider the vaccine for him.

BW

[Ambah]

I had my DS vaxed with everything including CP.
But with DD I have done more research & decided that the CP vax wasn't necessary. I was going to withold the rota virus one too, but was basically railroaded by the GP into doing it (not that I think it helped-DD still comes down with horrific gastro viruses from daycare at least 4 times per year).
I am more concerned about DD developing a horrible case of shingles later in life due to being vaxed, than I am about her having chicken pox...

[Shanti]

DD is 21mths and hasn't been vax'd against this. I read about it and decided it wasn't worth the risk. Not sure if she'll ever get it TBH (the vax I mean). If she gets chicken pox while she's little I won't be too concerned as it will be over and done with and very rarely is it life threatening anyway.

Good luck deciding. It's so hard deciding what is right for your child

[Freya]

Im just curious as to what the vax shingles VS CP shingles rate is if anyone knows? Because I find it weird that people are avoiding the CP vax because of the risk of shingles yet CP is probably one of the most prevelent childhood diseases (a majority of us all have prob had it as kids) and also has a maturity occurance of shingles.

I also thought that CP could be life threatening?