AIBU to consider the chicken pox vaccine?

[PassiveAggressivePamela]

Reposting from children’s health as no replies....anyone’s DC had the CP vaccine? I have a DS who is 3.5 and has avoided every bout of it at his nursery, and a baby DD.

DH isn’t sure if he’s ever had it. Just wondering if it’s worth getting the DC the vaccine privately...no health issues, I know for some it’s mild and for a few it isn’t.

I wouldn't discourage anyone from getting vaccinated. However, I've never had chicken pox (according to my parents and I've no memory of ever having had it) but was tested for immunity when I worked for the nhs a few years ago and I did have immunity which apparently isn't uncommon. ie a child has had chicken pox but mild enough that they haven't been noticeably ill with it but have developed antibodies.

Is being tested for immunity an option as you might find your children already have it despite having never seemingly had chicken pox?

The NHS was trying to establish whether vaccination against CP might lead to more cases of shingles later, last time I was privy to the decision, but since then shingles vaccine has been more widely used and there's more evidence from other countries so I thought it was about to be introduced a couple years ago - it might be issues with suppliers now.

I decided I'd pay for it if mine hadn't had it by age 5, as I had it as a teenager and it was very nasty. Both had it around 3 and were definite but fairly mild cases.

There's usually no point in testing for immunity as might as well just have the vaccine.

The CP vaccine is virtually unheard of in France. I first read about it on Mumsnet.
I used to think CP was harmless. Then DD2 almost died and spent a week in hospital because of encephalitis caused by chicken pox. She has almost fully recovered but still has balance problem. I am not sure what we would do if we had another child.

Both my kids have had it privately. I chose to do it because I didn't want to risk them getting it as older children or into adulthood when it can cause bigger issues. Easy vaccine. No side effects.
Interestingly, like PPs, i also tested immune to CP when pregnant but my mum has no recollection of my having had it. Guess we must have though!

JaneEyre70

If you and your newborn were exposed to shingles in that period you both probably received Zoster immunoglobulin (ZIG) not the chickenpox vaccine. Most exposure protocols don't include giving CPV to babies. So I wouldn't assume you've both been vaccinated.

NotBadConsidering that's interesting, I may have to dig our maternity discharge notes out and see if it says what the vaccine was. Thanks for that.

My DS had his first vaccination today (finally!) but the after care advice confused me. We were told to keep him away from immuno-suppressed people for six weeks after the second vaccine - so 10 weeks in total. Can this be right?

The nurse didn't seem very confident about the advice when I asked follow up questions and it's quite important as we have one member of family going through treatment now, and one who finished about three years ago. Both are, understandably, worried. But it seems a little OTT to me - at least for the person who is recovered - and I thought they gave vaccines to children whose family members were seriously immuno-compromised?

I've suggested that both family members speak to their doctors but if anyone can shed any light I'd be really grateful.

Really? I wasn't told anything like that with either of my kids.

Hmmmmm, that’s interesting - I can’t find anything about it on the NHS website, in fact the only time the the CP virus is recommended on the nhs is when there are immune issues in close family - six weeks is longer than you have to restrict contact for the actual disease!

We had it done. No CP. Worth it imo. It's not time limited. They just don't have data on whether it is effective after 20 years.

I've had the cp vaccine as an adult 18 years ago & it shows in my blood tests. It's easy enough to check. My DH & both kids are now vaccinated. Not worth the hassle & long term possible scars of CP.

My first dd had it so badly, I also felt guilty that in some way I could have prevented her suffering. Dd2 been vaccinated. No worry and a week I would need to take off work covers the cost

I'd recommend looking into getting the vaccine for your DH too - I had chicken pox as an adult and it's AWFUL.

Julia, were you or your family warned off seeing people with compromised immune systems? I’m beginning to think the instructions we were given were odd.

Dd had the vaccine when she was 13months, part of the routine ones where we were living. She then went on to have Chicken pox twice in two years once she was at school. Mild doses though, so I wonder how bad she would have had CP if she hadn't been vaccinated. Oldest Ds had CP in Kindergarten and Ds2 never had it, but was a newborn and still BF when the big brother got it.

@flairyfairy We were. DD had her privately in a hospital at 14 months and we were told to avoid people who had compromised immunity for four weeks after each jab.

I got my youngest of four vaccinated. After spending a month holed up with his older AIBU longs while they all got it one by one was something I didn’t want to repeat.

This thread has reminded me that he needs the booster.

I was going to get it for my youngest, fortunately he saved me the fuss and caught it himself from nursery a couple of weeks ago. Luckily had it very mildly, just some slightly itchy spots, not even much of a temperature.

Friend's DD had life threatening complications from CP so I was going to get the vaccine.

@flairyfairy - yes we were, that's not because it could spread like real cp - given that there will be no breakouts or weeping scars; rather it's saliva, wee, poo which could be contagious due to it being a 'live virus' in our system. For adults this isn't a huge issue if we keep hygiene but with kids you need to inform nursery/school so they can warn immuno-compromised people in the vicinity. The risk is much much lower than real CP though.