Varicella - yes or no?

[onthefly]

We've gotten most of the vax except this one and apparently I need a CO form done to avoid getting pesky reminders. It's a bit of a nuisance to get one!
Anyway, our GP gave me a bit of a run down on it and she reckons the main reason to get it is to avoid exclusions from school if it's going around And says there are no side effects.
I'm more concerned about potential risks of the vaccine versus benefit in avoiding very rare complications.

[Shanti]

My girls haven't had it and won't be getting it either. We don't think it's necessary. That's a live vaccine I think from memory?

We had chicken pox as kids and were fine. Yes some kids do get seriously ill and yes there are RARE complications but for this one I feel the risks of the vaccine given outweigh any benefits to getting the vaccine.

So many kids get it and they are immunised against it....go figure?

Good luck it's a super hard decision either way. We find it very hard.

[HotI]

i didn't think that is one of the 'mandatory' ones on the schedule.

[Trillian]

HotI, it never used to be, but it is now.

MadB, I wouldn't bother with it. It is seriously ineffective now and if I had a dollar for every chicken-pox vaccinated child who did get chicken pox I'd be rich. At my kids school, the older kids in years 4-6 are of the age group where the vaccine was not on the schedule (I actually paid $60 for them to have it, but DD2 was free as it was on the schedule by then) and they are not excluded when chicken pox does the rounds. It would be impossible to exclude that many kids. Same goes for high school were I reckon the number of kids vaccinated for chicken pox would be under 5%.

[onthefly]

I think they've changed it HotI, it is now.

[Lily Dust]

DD didnt get it and wont be. We delayed others but varicella vax just doesnt sit well with me. Basically the same reason as you, atm we just dont feel that the rare complications outweigh the potential vax risks. I also felt that DD wasnt being directly exposed to many other children at that age to be concerned about her contracting it either. My other question that always came in to consideration was and still is- do we overlook the potential natura immunisation of extended BFing (certainly not starting any debates there!!! just something I was always interested about).

i didn't think that is one of the 'mandatory' ones on the schedule.

Are there 'manatory' ones? If so, what ones?

[Little Chicken]

They actually reccomend two doses at least one month apart as it has been found to be more effective to have two doses. the first one is free, the second one costs $60.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Also on the note of exclusion, to my knowledge of NHMRC exclusion chart children not immunised against Varicella are not excludable.
Unimmunised children are only excluded in cases of Measles. (http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc...h43poster4.pdf)
However, I guess schools may place policies of their own, that I don't know.

[onthefly]

ah! well there you go then

[Jellyfish]

This is one we have also not got for DD1 (she has had all others on schedule) but think we might get it when DD3 gets her 6 month shots (in a couple of weeks) as DP has never had chicken pox it is a concern for me now. Have been looking into it more so will be interested what people have to say in this thread!

[nickle730]

I chose to have my three vaccinated. Although many children who have been vaccinated still get the disease, it is almost always a much milder dose. Interestingly, after I had DS and he had his Varicella vaccine I mentioned to the GP that I had never had chicken pox. We checked my immunity with a BT and I had NO immunity. Odd, because I have worked in medical for the past 15 years but had somehow managed to avoid exposure to chicken pox - which is a nasty disease in adults. I also chose to be vaccinated and my immunity is now good!

[ss_storm]

DD hasn't had it, and I still haven't taken her for the MMR either (she just turned 3). I don't think it is necessary, I don't believe the vaccine is all that effective at preventing chicken pox, the number of vaccinated kids I've heard about who have gotten it anyway.
As a kid I was exposed to children who had it and neither myself or my two brothers caught it and neither of my parents have ever had chicken pox either, so maybe we have some kind of special power against chicken pox (lol). I think CP is a manageable disease, although not very comfortable, and natural immunity if she did get it would be more beneficial than acquired vaccine immunity for the long term (here's hoping she's inherited my special CP inhibiting gene...)

[leesha]

Being vaccinated doesn't automatically assume you will never get it! It is usually your body being able to deal with the disease much more easily and symptoms are not as full on and or painful...sometimes even life threatening!
I was vaccinated as a child and never caught chicken pox till I was 18 and felt fine, the doctor told me that as an adult and not being vaccinated I would of been quite sick...
Just do what sits right with you and your beliefs.

[nothing2lose]

I have had several varicella vaccinations as well as a dose of the chicken pox. My immunity dissipates over time ( for whatever reason). My aunt is the same. DD was immunised and still got a bad dose which had lasting medical implications over a year later. It can be quite serious and it regularly spreads through schools.

[luna moth]

We got it. DH is immune compromised so we got t while he was overseas. It's the easiest one we've ever one, and all DD remembers now is that she got a sticker and got to play with a ball.

No harm in delaying, though, I don't reckon. CP sucks more when you're older, and it's harder to catch these days because it's less common. So would be easy enough to go back and get it at age 12 or so.

[k4t]

My understanding is that a single dose in childhood is about 85% effective at preventing chickenpox and those who do still get it are much less likely to get severe disease. I had chicken pox as a teenager and it was absolutely horrible.

Like all things it's a personal choice on risk/benefit but I'd be discussing it with a doctor you trust if you're unsure. Pressure them to do some research if they can't answer all your questions right away.

[Miss_Dee]

What are the potential risks of the vaccine out of curiosity? Not that this is something I need to think about for quite awhile, but I'm just curious.