Chicken Pox Vaccine - Views

[HBSBeeches]

Hello!

I’m booked to give my DD who’s 15 months old the chicken pox vaccine next Monday. She’s also getting the Men B booster.

She’s had all the standard jabs for a one year old.

I’m keen to know if any fellow parents have opinions on getting the chicken pox vaccine.

Hoping for some views.

Thanks so much

[ktmummy1]

I wish I'd known about it. I wouldn't hesitate to have it. My dd had a terrible case 10 months ago and has a number of face scars. (Which I'm hoping will continue to grow out or fade as her skin rejuvenates). Still, it's been a traumatic year and was very upsetting for months.

[boredwithfoodprob]

My two children had it age 2 and 5. We had a run of hearing about friends' children getting chicken pox really badly and suffering both during the illness and afterwards with facial scarring. I did a fair bit of research and came to the conclusion it was definitely worth it. I will get it for my 9 month old once he's old enough.

[Jules125]

I had it for both my daughters. Both of my daughters had managed to miss getting it when they were very young and it tends to get more serious as children get older.

Chicken pox is mostly mild but occasionally serious and definitely a pain for parents and kids. Many Western countries have been offering the vaccine for some time, but it may have been deemed not "cost-effective" in the UK (it is quite expensive). Or we are frightened of adding more vaccines to the immunisation schedule and putting parents off getting other more essential vaccines like measles post- MMR scares. It is cheaper than taking the time off work for us!

The one caveat is that although the vaccine is very effective it is less clear how long lasts so it may be that we should test vaccinated children for their immunity when they are adults (or just look at the long term evidence from other countries like the US who have been using it for a longer). I am an experienced medical researcher who can assess this risk later on though. Immunity from naturally caught disease is not 100% either.

Not sure if this helps, but I think it is rational to vaccinate if you can comfortably afford the cost.

[FlopIsMyParentingGuru]

We had it for DD. Had no problems other than mild under the weather for a day or so afterwards.
Two doses six weeks apart.
So pleased we did. No scars, no three week waits wondering if she would come out with it.
Went and discussed it with GP first who was very helpful.

[HBSBeeches]

Thanks so much for the advice. My DD is getting the vaccine on Monday!

[Natsku]

Getting it for my daughter, asked about it at her 5 year check up this week. Hope it doesn't cost too much, so broke right now.

[Thecatknowsshesboss]

DD had the vaccine done last year when she was five. She didn't suffer any ill effects from it and we were pleased she had it done as she's prone to febrile convulsions when running a temperature and a very poor patient.

[Out2pasture]

I have two children with chicken pox scars on their face. now that vaccines are available I would inoculate.

[BlueSkyandRain]

Can I ask where you are all getting it done? Our practice nurse said they couldn't do it at our practice...

[HBSBeeches]

We are private patients in a London practice so it's standard if you want it. A friend is NHS and she has the extra jabs done at a travel clinic in Caterham. She loves it.

[scaevola]

You have to get it privately.

Some GPs will offer private services alongside NHS ones, others do not. And if yours doesn't there is nothing you can do about it. There are private vaccine centres in a lot of cities, so you're probably best off googling for your nearest.

[BlueSkyandRain]

Ah ok that makes sense now thanks. On my to do list for tomorrow!

[FlopIsMyParentingGuru]

We actually had it on the NHS because of an immune suppressed family member.

[Acorncat]

My DS got it at the same time as his men B when he was 14m. We used a private travel clinic. I think I'll advise him to get his immunity checked in late teens but depends how the countries that have been doing it longer are getting on by then.

[Thecatknowsshesboss]

DD had it done at Citydoc - private vaccine centre. It was expensive but our doctors didn't offer it (& nurse was very offish when she phoned back! Yes it's a common illness but it didn't mean we wanted DD to have it).

[2010sll]

Hi

I had my daughter (5) vaccinated last week. 1st of 2 jabs. Mainly because I was worried over scarring. However, I've had a massive wobble and am now worried, all I've done is guarantee her a life of boosters or getting it as an adult. I thought I was doing my best for her but now I'm worried! Doctor at the clinic said that vaccinated children get natural boosters from exposure and get her checked for immunity when at reproductive age but didn't seem to think boosters would be necessary. Worried. Would like to hear thoughts from others who had it and what their doctors advised them. Thanks

[2010sll]

Thinking of not going back for 2nd jab and hoping that as vaccinated that she'll get a mild case in the next few years. But might not get it at all of course.

[HBSBeeches]

Hello!

I didn't reply last week because my DD had a bit of a reaction to the vaccine and I wanted to wait and see how she went. She is fine now. Just a bit of crying, temperature and rash. Wasn't great though.

Overall, for us, we want to give her as many vaccines that are available. She already gets poorly with lots of things and if we can avoid some illnesses then we will. Checking immunity isn't a problem later in life for us.

It's a personal choice but we want to avoid illnesses if we can.

Hope this helps.

[2010sll]

HBSBeeches Sorry to hear she had a reaction to the jab and glad to hear she's ok now. Hope her next one goes a bit smoother for you.