To Chicken Pox or Not to Chicken Pox.....

Hi,
For what it's worth, I believe that the vaccine is the way to go. Whe I was about 20 years old my blood work showed that I had never been exposed to chicken pox so I got the vaccine. About 10 years later I DID develop chicken pox as an adult but it was a VERY MILD case so I think the vaccine was definitely worth it for me. It does not cover you 100% but it does make it so that, if you get the disease, it will be a much milder form. I have vaccinated my oldest and plan to vaccinate my younger one. I have not heard of the chicken pox vaccine helping to prevent shingles. There is another vaccine out there called Zostavax (just came out within the past 3 years) that helps prevent shingles, but it is usually only recommended for adults older than 60.

Here is what I know. Chicken pox is better to get as a child than an adult. Once you have chicken pox you are not supposed to get it again, there are exceptions. The chicken pox vaccine is to keep your child from getting it, but he may still get a small case from the vaccine. I have not heard of that happening, but it is possible. It even says it on the information sheet. I'm for getting it. My husband had shingles from extreme stress and he has had the chicken pox when he was little. So the vaccine and or having chicken pox, in my opinion, won't stop shingles. I would not expose your children to an illness just because you are not sure about the vaccine. Do more research, talk to your Dr. and decide. I would never purposely expose my children to an illness. Yes our mother's may have done it, but they also did not use car seats, put us to sleep on our tummies. So they are not always right. As far as the vaccine wearing off, haven't heard that, I thought you were covered, I will look into it. Either way, if your husband and you keep on top of it, like the tetnus shot we have to get every 10 years, everything will be fine. Good luck

Know what? I'd err on the side of caution and keep your daughters away from it if you have an 8mo old with Down's... you don't want any chance of the baby getting cp because the strains lately are much worse than they were when we were kids... and in between surgeries... that's a lot for a baby to handle. just my thoughts. Good luck!

Since you have the 8 month old, I'd say hold off. Chicken Pox is very harmful in infants and adults. If all three of your children were older, I'd say go for it. It is what my parents did and I've been exposed since to many people with chicken pox and never got it. There is the risk of shingles, but I'm not sure what percentage of people actually get that.

I am all for getting the vaccine. While many people have no major complications from Chicken Pox, there is a chance of serious problems. As to Shingles, My best friend (who had Chicken Pox as a child) recently had Shingles and it was one of the most painful things she has experienced, 26 hours of labor included. She also ended up with scarring on her face. I know there is still a chance that a child will end up with Chicken Pox even if they are vaccinated, but it is my understanding that those children would have ended up with a pretty severe case without the vaccine.
Sincerely,
L.