Chicken pox vaccine and meningitis vaccine

[ScissorBow]

I have 2 DDs 4 and 2 who have never had chicken pox. Youngest just slid into the recent meningitis vaccine catch up cohort but DD4 hasn't.

I'm not going to lie I've not done it before because I couldn't afford to but now I'm thinking I can't afford NOT to IYSWIM? I can't think of anything more important to spend the money on if it's the right thing for them.

My questions re the chicken pox vaccine are

1. how long does it last?
   
2. might it wear off before they get pregnant? That's my biggest concern is something I do 'for the best' now ends up hurting them or their unborn child in future
   
3. are there any side effects?
   
   Meningitis one
   
   
4. apart from cost is there any reason why not?
   
   Really appreciate any advice.

[TheBrilloPad]

Following with interest. I got the meningitis one done for my 2yr old DD, as I have a relative who does vaccinations and whose decisions I always respect, and who said "I couldn't live with myself if I didn't tell you about the risk of meningitis, If it was my kids I would eat beans on toast for weeks just to save to get it done". So that was sort of "enough" research for me.

But with chickenpox, although it CAN be fatal, for most kids, it's not. So I haven't done that one yet, but would do it if I found it compelling evidence why I should.

[ScissorBow]

I always said I wanted them to have it (the pox) when they were young but not too young. DD is going to school in September so has missed a big chance to get it. She has been seriously exposed about 4 times (all children with CM got it-not her, all children at toddler group her age got it-not her, child she played with for an entire day got it 4 days later-not her, many children in her preschool got it-not her) She's never got it so may potentially have immunity bit it's getting to the stage I don't want to risk it.

[Witchend]

Meningitis, yes, go ahead. I've seen firsthand the damage it can do (not my dc).

Chickenpox I'd wait and give them longer to potentially catch it. It does seem to be generally agreed that catching it naturally is better both from the immunity side and other side effects-I think the jury's still out on whether it's a good thing or not. I think one of the concerns is shingles (which can be very nasty)seems to be more common in children who have had the vaccine.

There were at least a couple of chicken pox times through infants, so give them until the end of infants (and that also gives longer to investigate possible side effects and/or offer it on NHS)

[Witchend]

And sorry, don't rely on her having immunity.
I went through goodness knows how many outbreaks at school, including my dsis having it (and not being kept away from it) and close friends having it. I got it aged 21yo at uni when no one else I came across got it. Work that out!

[ScissorBow]

No I don't want to rely on her having immunity because like you I know she'll get it at a bad age / time. It feel as though chicken pox would be better caught naturally but I can't find anything conclusive on that.

[dementedpixie]

I would wait a little longer to see if your older dc gets it at school. If they haven't had it in the first few years then maybe consider the vaccine.

[putdownyourphone]

Why are you asking MN and not reading the package inserts?

[dementedpixie]

Package inserts?

[ScissorBow]

If I had any package inserts I would read them but I'll be honest I've no idea what package inserts would be relevant for this!

Good point about leaving it a couple more years for chicken pox. Maybe till DD2 is at school.

[Twistandshout77]

I would get chicken pox done asap for both - I know many children who have had nasty complications with it. Also do you want to stay in the house for a week with a sick child and then poss a few weeks later with her sister?!
It's a very simple vaccine - no side effects for my dd. They sometimes get a spot or two but it isn't proper chicken pox though be careful around newborn babies et for a few days. 70% of them get immune after first dose so they recommend two jabs.
Honestly just get it done - you'll be beating yourself up when you see the spots appear otherwise for not having done it.
The vaccine doesn't 'wear off' - how many other vaccines do?! There's an awful lot of misunderstanding about this one as the government don't promote it - but that's to protect the older population if you read into it.
In any event they could always have s quick blood test before pregnancy to check if they need a booster dose.

[Twistandshout77]

Much better than getting infected spots or pneumonia as the kids I know have had with it

[dementedpixie]

Several vaccines do wear off and that's why there are boosters. You'd have to research how long it lasts and whether boosters are needed. My two had chicken pox at age 3 and age 6 months then ds had shingles at age 3 (more common if they get chicken pox under 1 year)

[CatsCantFlyFast]

I got the chicken pox vaccine for my eldest and will for my youngest too. I'm of the opinion that if I can give something to avoid an illness, even if it may only be mild, I will. I'm also of the opinion that it's a gamble hoping your child will catch it, as whilst many cases are mild, many are not and lots end up with complications. I'm sure there must be people who were keen for their kids to catch it who regret it afterwards

[BitterYoungWoman]

My dc's have had it recently. They had 2 injections 2 weeks apart. As long as they have both injections they are covered for life. It was about £60 per injection per child.

[dementedpixie]

Don't think the vaccine had been about long enough to know it gives life long immunity. Some studies seem to suggest 10-20 years

[Twistandshout77]

It's used in most developed countries throughout the world - most of Europe/the states give it - it's just the NHS which doesn't

[Witchend]

The vaccine doesn't 'wear off' - how many other vaccines do?!
A lot of vaccines do. That's why they test your immunity of rubella in pregnancy (or ideally you have it done before ttc). My dsis was immune for the first pregnancy, but not for the second.
I know a couple of people who got hooping cough in adulthood having had the injections and were told the immunity has worn off. And tetanus you used to be advised to get it done every 10 years... etc.

The problem with it wearing off in 10-20 years is that is probably just about right time to catch it from your children, and chicken pox is one that tends to be much worse in adults. My college nurse's dh had it in his 40s and caused a small pox scare (just after they'd thought they'd irradiated it) because he had it so badly. And if it lasts longer, 30+ years and you're looking at catching it from your grandchildren which is potentially even worse.

[Dina1234]

The chicken pox vaccine is routine in many countries. Both of mine have been vaccinated for it-I don't see any reason why they should be sick for a couple of weeks and potentially scarred when I could just vaccinate them. It safe me a lot of trouble as well. Not to mention it is cheaper to vaccinate that the take time off work.

[ScissorBow]

It's the wearing off in 10-20 years that worries me because that's potentially dangerous if either of them get pregnant in that period. If they were boys I'd just do it.

[Y0uCann0tBeSer10us]

I echo others who suggest waiting to see if they catch it at school as natural immunity will most likely last longer and the consequences of catching the disease in childhood are very minor in the majority of cases. Vaccines do indeed wear off after differing lengths of time, ranging from a couple of years with Men B/whooping cough etc to 10-15 years with things like Mumps. (We'd be wise to learn from the 'mistake' of childhood Mumps vaccination, where the vaccine is less effective than hoped and clusters are appearing in young adults - a time when it is much more serious than the generally extremely mild disease you get in childhood).

[Twistandshout77]

It is not a mild illness for some - why take the risk with your child.

[ScissorBow]

Twist because if it's not a minor illness then if they get it as adults it could be far worse than as children and if they're pregnant could severely damage their unborn child. So if the immunity wears off I'm concerned.

[Twistandshout77]

If the immunity wears off like that and it's a higher risk for them why does the rest of the developed world give their children the vaccine? Have a look at what Europe and the us do.

[Twistandshout77]

Even the world health organization recommends it
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varicella_vaccine

[MirrorMouse]

If the vaccine does wear off after 10-20 years, surely you are much more likely to catch it in the UK once it's worn off (where there is no routine vaccination for cp and loads of kids incubating it) than in a country where they routinely vaccinate for cp?