To be in two minds about the chicken pox vaccine

[trippingovertoysinthedark]

I’m really on the fence with this one.

On the one hand, I have two preschool children in full time childcare and a SE partner. Financially, we could be in trouble if we had to take time off work to look after them if/when they get chicken pox. Also, I don’t want them to be unwell.

However, on the other hand, them being unwell now might set them up for lifetime immunity and that would probably be ultimately better than the vaccine when it wanes - I’m also not a fan of vaccinating children when it isn’t needed, as vaccine damage can happen and yes tiny chance blah blah but why take that chance if you don’t have to? Although I haven’t read of any adverse reactions to the pox vaccine but then would I be likely to?

So I’m dithering here

"Six deaths were due, or possibly due, to varicella, including one intrauterine death. Four of the other five children who died (ages 2–14 years) had a pre‐existing medical condition."

From your first link. So it's six child deaths possibly due to chickenpox, of which one was an unborn child and 4 had pre-existing medical conditions.

That is of course still absolutely tragic but yes I do think the way you are choosing to represent those statistics is fear-mongering.

Unbelievable.

You do understand medically why it must say “possibly”, given that these deaths were caused by secondary complications of an illness?

And having pre-existing conditions is mitigating how, exactly? Children with pre-existing medical conditions are not vaccinated on the NHS unless their condition relates to immunosuppression.

And the 3,000+ children under 10 hospitalised for severe complications over a ten year period - is that also scare mongering?

Approximately 5 months post chickenpox my perfectly healthy child had a stroke.

Chickenpox causes strokes. Fact. On average 5 months post stroke. My child has been left permanently damaged from it.

Google Chickenpox and stroke. Lots of evidence on it.

Of course you hear 'stories' on here. If I had my time over, I'd vaccinate. But then I would. I hate that my child requires lifelong support. But this support must be paid for by the government - the same government who say it's not financially viable to vaccinate children in the UK. Trouble is the lifelong support now required is damned expensive too.

Hindsight is a marvellous thing. I was sceptical too until we became one of the statistics.

My friend's child would have been recorded as a result of sepsis....which occurred within 48 hours of contracting Strep A as a result of chicken pox. Their child had no underlying conditions

My ds did get it on the NHS, as a result of his complex needs - he had had several hospitalisations for problems with his lungs, and his GP and Paediatrician recommended it. I know if several childten who have not been allowed it on the NHS with similar profiles though.

Unless there is a good medical reason then have all vaccines offered. We are very fortunate to be offered them free.
Someone i went to school with had her 13 year-old dc die of complications from such. Tragic , all because of the lack of vaccine .
Re scars , i am an older poster and still have scars .
I treat my dog like my dc and had her vaccinated against everything possible.

I’m so sorry Bertie

hazey that was the purpose of the study I linked to, since deaths from complications aren’t attributed directly to chicken pox in the statistics. But then someone comes along and tries to argue against the language that has to be used in such a study. You can’t win. So sorry for your friend’s loss.

Thanks sinkgirl

You're right had my child died of the stroke, that would have been the main cause of death. Chickenpox would have been a secondary factor but given the 5 months post the infection probably wouldn't have got a mention at all. Thank god either way he's still here and the light of my life.

But you're completely right in what you say.

Bertiegertie
As mentioned above Ds friend had a stroke from chickenpox as well.
He was paralized left side of his body, but thankfully learned to walk etc but he did have some learning difficulties after.
I think it was similar with measles, many deaths were recorded as pneumonia, and because measles reduced the immune system for 3 years after children were 3 times more likely to die, but not recorded as measles

It’s awful that children are dying and being disabled from a disease that could be so easily prevented with a vaccine. The NHS should sort this out

I'm feeling much less bad about ds having to have the vaccine now! I'm ashamed to say I had no idea of the possible effects.

Where are people buying the vaccine please?

Boots do it in most large branches and some branches of Superdrug - boots have an online booking system too. Also local private GPs, places that do travel vaccinations etc.

I got mine at Boots. £140 per child for the full course (2 injections 4- 6 wks apart).
The Boots I need to go to is over an hour's drive away but I think the money and hassle will be worth it.

I debated the vaccine but decided against it. My children had CP last year, ages 2 and 4. Apart from 3-4 days each of being uncomfortable, it's over quickly and now I'm glad that they've had it. There is no long term data to suggest how long the vaccine will last, and adults could contract CP when they are vulnerable (e.g. pregnant) which could have devastating consequences.

How do you find a private GP? I've had vaccines myself at Boots with mixed experiences... think I'd rather pay a GP.

We had a our paediatrician do ours as our state had just passed a bill that means kids can't attend school unless they have all of the mandated shots. Varicella being one of them.

So that's no help obviously.

For people asking where to get it done, also could look at travel clinics where people get travel vaccines done, if you are not keen on Boots/Superdrug etc.

And also consider paying for the two doses seperately in case they are unfortunate enough to get CP in between the two doses. (as happened to someone who posted earlier).

There was an interesting Guardian artical about this topic a while ago, will try and find the link.

www.theguardian.com/science/occams-corner/2014/may/15/real-reason-british-public-chickenpox-vaccine-shingles

Doctors here do the second dose no sooner than three months after. The second dose isn't required for school entry interestingly.

Carpetburns we’ve been over that about 18000 times on this thread already. Even having chicken pox is not a guarantee you won’t get it again, and there are national programmes 20 years ahead of right now, so plenty of notice if immunity does start to wear off (no signs of that yet)

SinkGirl, as has been mentioned several times, yes there was evidence of waning - only a single dose used to be recommended and then they found that protection waned. In 2006 a second dose was recommended and that was introduced shortly afterwards. It’s a bit early to say how long protection will last from 2 doses. The studies want to see people who were vaccinated with 2 doses after 20+ years - so still a way to go yet.

I’m Australian (but too old to have been vaccinated for CP as a child) I had a mild dose when I was four and this year, whilst getting a bunch of travel vaccs and my flu shot my doc recommended I get a booster of the childhood ones, including pertussis, tetanus and CP.

So even if the CP immunity is not for life, is getting a booster every 20 odd years really that big a deal?