AIBU to vaccinate my children against chicken pox?

[chickchickchickchickenpox]

I want to vaccinate my children against chicken pox, but is it selfish?

From what I can see the main reasons for it not being part of the regular childhood immunisations is because it is 1) usually mild . And 2) to protect the adult population from chicken pox (when it can be more serious to contract it) and shingles.

My reasons for leaning towards paying privately to get it are that it is not always mild in childhood (I have seen firsthand in my previous career a child who developed septicaemia from chicken pox and was critically unwell with it - I'm not sure of the outcome).

Even in a mild form they will have flu like symptoms and itchy spots which could then scar - none of which sounds fun for toddlers to have to go through; but possibly selfishly if I vaccinate my children - that could mean that others could be at an increased risk of getting it in adulthood.
AIBU?

My youngest had chicken pox so badly. He had open sores on his eyes, inside his bottom, in his throat and everywhere else they'd cause maximum pain. He cried for a week. I would now vaccinate.

As a mum and an RN it seems absolutely bonkers to me that it's not on the standard immunization schedule in the UK. It's not that expensive when you're buying millions of doses.

Nearly all children in my sons school had chicken pox, it did the rounds. Closely followed by Slapped Cheek Syndrome. Neither caused and issues just inconvenience. You have to do what you think is right for your child going by evidence based pros and cons. Follow your gut. What feels right for you.

I’ll definitely be vaccinating my 1 year old. I didn’t vaccinate my eldest and I so wish I did because her’s was awful.

She was one that didn’t scratch either and 2 years on she’s covered in scars.

What are the side effects to the chicken pox vaccine?

What are the side effects to the chicken pox vaccine?

None in my DC's case. They didn't even cry.

Sorry I've not RTFT but absolutely get them vaccinated if you can afford to. But remember to buy them a booster for their 18th birthday so they have adult coverage too!

I had the vax as an adult. The immunity from the vax was the only thing that survived the chemo.

I would recommend you get it. I was thinking about it for my dc but then they caught it before I got round to it. My DS was fine with it but my dd who was only about 1 at the time was very very poorly.

YANBU. It not only prevents chicken pox, but also shingles.

Once you have chicken pox, the varicella zoster remains dormant in your body in a nerve cell. It reactivates in the future in times of stress or decreased immunity and the symptoms present along a dermatome and is called shingles.

Might as well prevent both chicken pox and shingles if you can!

I've just booked my son in. Poor chap, but worth it

My son had his first dose of the chicken pox vaccine last weekend and he has experienced no side effects so far. He also didn't even cry when he had the injection! @babybotox

I don't think chicken pox is mild at all. My dd was extremely ill at 2 1/2 years old and it triggered asthma and eczema as well. I wish I'd been able to vaccinate then!

For the argument that the vaccine doesn't cause lifelong immunity - neither does getting the virus. I know several instances of people who have caught it a few times, especially when the first instance was a less severe case. The vaccine offers as much future immunity as a normal bout of chicken pox would. But it's not a cast iron guarantee. We vaccinated. I know a few children that were hospitalised from it, one nearly died.

The reason it is not on the NHS schedule is not because of cost! Will people PLEASE stop peddling this myth! It is because of shingles.

Given that we vaccinate boys against rubella and girls against mumps, when arguably there is no reason (other than herd immunity) to do so, don't you think the NHS would vaccinate against chicken pox if it was felt it was useful and to assist with herd immunity?

^ It is to do with cost. A very good friend who works for the NHS told me this. They have had meetings about it.

Also because of that wanker wakefield they didn't think the MMRV would be accepted by many.

I've just booked both of mine in for the vaccine. Been thinking about it for ages as DD had 5 spots and the GP said it was chicken pox. She had no itching, no pain, was absolutely 100% fine, they didn't even seem to scab, just went away. I'm worried she hasn't been exposed and being female, that's a big risk going forward.

Anyhow. Once I go back to work, we can't afford to be off for a week+ looking after them and of course the worry of more serious complications.

Can't really afford it but would kick myself if they caught CP and were really ill.

I am going to book it privately for me and my DS.

Better to be safe than sorry.

I know people with immune-compromised conditions too - would hate to think they could catch anything from me/us

Just booked to get DD vaccinated, would never forgive myself if she caught it badly knowing it could of been prevented. For me it's money well spent.