To consider private chickenpox vaccine for DS?

[coffeeforone]

DS is almost 2 years old and I’m 3 months pregnant with DC2. I’ve read chickenpox can be very dangerous for newborns. Are there any downsides to getting DS vaccinated now? To help prevent the unpleasantness for him but also to protect his younger brother/sister, as there is the small risk he could catch it when they are a newborn. I probably will ff from birth so newborn won’t be protected from me.

Have you, or do you know anyone who has vaccinated for these reasons?

Didn't know about the vaccine when dd2 was new born but planning on getting it done before dd2 starts school in Sept when dd2 is 1.

It's the thought of possibly a month off work with poorly dds that's pushed me.

Yes there is also the time off work too! We have no childcare other than nursery too so would need to take time off when DC catch it.

Dd was born in the USA so got the vaccine there. No problems except sore vaccine area for a few days. If you can prevent your child from getting ill, why not? Even if it's not a hugely dangerous illness it's no picnic when you have it.

Yep. DD has had the vaccine. I would certainly in your situation.

Have you, or do you know anyone who has vaccinated for these reasons?

I live in the US so I'd say 99%+ of the children I know are vaccinated against chickenpox.

The overall result is... no one gets chickenpox. That's it.

Do it! We got DD done and will do the same for DS. It's an unpleasant illness and the idea of being housebound for weeks with itchy kids is not so great.

Would you get your child vaccinated against chicken pox? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/vaccinations/3188718-Would-you-get-your-child-vaccinated-against-chicken-pox

There was a thread a couple of weeks ago. I'll try and find it.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3188298-To-ask-Would-you-give-your-child-chicken-pox-deliberately

Very helpful- thank you!

Please can someone advise where I could get the vaccine done for my DS (4 months) privately? Is it very expensive?

I have Lupus Syndrome (severe immunity disorder), but my GP has advised that they won't vaccinate my DC because it's not listed as being a 'red alert' illness, requiring those around me to be vaccinated

I didn't have chickenpox as a child. My mum always kept me away and as a result, I'm even more likely to have shingles as an adult

Just make sure you understand what the long-term implications are. E.g. will your DS need a booster at some point? Will not having chicken pox as a child make him more susceptible to shingles as an adult? (I don’t know the answers btw, but I would look into that before doing it.)

I don't think you can't get the chickenpox vaccine for a baby that young. It's usually 12 months or 9 months in certain circumstances. I think I paid £70 per dose (2 doses) for DS.

I would.

I considered it for DD1 and got talked out of it.

Now, we have premie DTs, just a month old and only home from NICU in the last 10 days - and DD1 comes down with CP right on cue!

So now we have the wait to see if the twins have it. If so they will likely have to go back to hospital for treatment. Really wish I'd vaccinated when I had the chance.

I wish I'd got the vaccine for my ds - I wasn't even aware of it until I read about it after he caught cp at around 15 months. It is a pretty nasty disease. I get so cross when people talk about cp parties and bringing their little ones in contact to catch it deliberately - they should get the bloody vaccine! I think you sound very responsible and caring to get it done for your dc.

Meh it's up to you

But both my ds had the vaccine and still got the chickens. Though it was very mild case.

It doesn't allways work but won't hurt.

My ds had it as part of a trial of a new version. I'm pleased as some if his friebds have been really poorly with it- and I was very ill myself wuth it as a small child.

I‘m vaccinated, my kids are vaccinated. Both my cousins ended up in icu with chickenpox, both have permanent scaring, face, body, arms. Chickenpox can get very nasty. With the vaccine it’s as least milder