Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Chicken Pox Jab?

52 replies

Pleasenomorecheese · 12/03/2023 22:22

I’m weighing up if I should get this for my 4 year old DD. Done a lot of reading about it-but don’t personally know anyone who’s had it. Any experience?

OP posts:
Cuwins · 13/03/2023 22:25

Very interested to read this as we are considering getting my 1 year old dd vaxed.
She does unfortunately seem to be pretty sensitive to vaccines- had a rough time with first and second baby ones and currently dealing with side effects of the 1 year ones- on and off temp and a rash currently. So that does put me off a bit.

I struggled to find info on how long the immunity lasts, my concern was that if they lost the immunity into adult hood then getting chicken pox then would be so much worse. Reading this I'm getting the impression it lasts into adulthood?
Also does it have any effect on getting shingles? My dad gets that and it's awful so wouldn't want to make her more susceptible to that.

Marynotsocontrary · 13/03/2023 23:09

It should make her less susceptible to shingles than if she gets chicken-pox naturally and if she does get it the likelihood is it'll be milder.
Of course, if she never gets chicken-pox she won't get shingles either, but that's most unlikely.

There are vaccines available for shingles, for older people at least (at least I think so).

Marynotsocontrary · 13/03/2023 23:18

Sorry, just re-read your daughter's age.
What I said is true for children over 2 - I think it may be different in younger children so you need to check this out @Cuwins.

Cuwins · 13/03/2023 23:41

Marynotsocontrary · 13/03/2023 23:18

Sorry, just re-read your daughter's age.
What I said is true for children over 2 - I think it may be different in younger children so you need to check this out @Cuwins.

Thank you. I have found it quite tricky to get information from sources I trust but will do some digging.

BritInAus · 13/03/2023 23:49

It's on the standard schedule for childhood immunisations in Australia (and many other western countries), and has been for many years. I still find it strange when people on this forum/UK friends talk about chicken pox 'parties' etc when it's easily prevented. It sounds like such a horrible illness, easily avoided.

Cuwins · 13/03/2023 23:53

BritInAus · 13/03/2023 23:49

It's on the standard schedule for childhood immunisations in Australia (and many other western countries), and has been for many years. I still find it strange when people on this forum/UK friends talk about chicken pox 'parties' etc when it's easily prevented. It sounds like such a horrible illness, easily avoided.

What age is it given in Australia or any other country that gives it routinely?

BritInAus · 13/03/2023 23:54

@Cuwins with other vaccinations at 12 months in Australia (though my DC is 8, so this may have changed). Before many people start childcare if taking a year's parental leave, where I guess many children catch it.

mastertomsmum · 13/03/2023 23:57

DS reached 3 without catching it, we went to the US for a while and he could only attend nursery if he had the vaccination.

Cuwins · 14/03/2023 00:02

BritInAus · 13/03/2023 23:54

@Cuwins with other vaccinations at 12 months in Australia (though my DC is 8, so this may have changed). Before many people start childcare if taking a year's parental leave, where I guess many children catch it.

Thank you

GulfCoastBeachGirl · 14/03/2023 00:14

Here's a link to the CDC webpage (US)

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/varicella.html

It does say that a child who receives both vaccine doses should have lifetime immunity; I didn't know that!

Cuwins · 14/03/2023 00:47

GulfCoastBeachGirl · 14/03/2023 00:14

Here's a link to the CDC webpage (US)

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/varicella.html

It does say that a child who receives both vaccine doses should have lifetime immunity; I didn't know that!

That's good to know. I assume the vaccine available in the UK is the same

Cuwins · 14/03/2023 00:51

That link also says they are much less likely to get shingles than someone who has had chicken pox. It doesn't mention age and given it says first dose 12-15m I assume that doesn't effect the immunity or shingles, it does say 2nd dose 4-6 years so it might be that a big gap between the 2 offers more protection later on.
I think we will go ahead and get it

Rubyupbeat · 14/03/2023 07:09

Wish it had been around when mine were small. My eldest had it 6 times, each time extremely I'll with it, although slightly less than the time before.

FlounderingFruitcake · 14/03/2023 07:21

Cuwins · 14/03/2023 00:51

That link also says they are much less likely to get shingles than someone who has had chicken pox. It doesn't mention age and given it says first dose 12-15m I assume that doesn't effect the immunity or shingles, it does say 2nd dose 4-6 years so it might be that a big gap between the 2 offers more protection later on.
I think we will go ahead and get it

@Cuwins The big gap is because it’s combined with the MMR there (MMRV) so the booster is given when you’d give the preschool booster, which is at 4 as they start school a year later than the UK. And overall there’s less risk of catching it since vaccination rates are so high- it’s mandatory for daycare and public school enrolment in most states, so waiting isn’t a concern. As for it lasting into adulthood, it’s been on the US schedule since 1996 (!) so the first group of vaccinated babies are now 28 year olds, so I think we’d know if there was any sort of issue. Both of mine have had it- the first in the US with the MMRV, the second privately at Boots in the UK. No side effects and they’ve escaped various outbreaks at school/nursery. So definitely the right decision for us!

GulfCoastBeachGirl · 14/03/2023 13:36

I'm in the US and my " baby" got the vax in 1996. He's 27 now😂.

Back then you had to request it, it wasn't automatically offered.

Cloudhoppingdancer · 14/03/2023 13:38

I would.

UnaVaca · 16/03/2023 07:40

This has been really helpful I am going to book my little one in.

roughtyping · 16/03/2023 08:03

My son had it winter 2021, he got chicken pox Dec 2022 and had very few spots (fewer than 10), wasn't itchy and no 'unwell' symptoms.

CoffeeChocolateWine · 16/03/2023 08:29

I decided to get the CP for my 4yo DD. She's had one jab; due to have second one in a couple of weeks.

My older children didn't have the jab and they've both had the virus. It was fine and relatively mild. But my little one has developed a bit of picking and scratching her skin, particularly on her face. It got to the point where I was beginning to genuinely fear the day she went down with CP. I was worried about her scratching herself to bits and scarring. The jabs were quite expensive - £140 for the two jabs at Boots - but it's been worth it for peace of mind.

I'll be honest, the jab itself was awful. I don't know why but my DD was very scared and had a meltdown beforehand and in the treatment room (thought I was doing the right thing telling what we were doing and why, but she was terrified!) and ended up having to clamp her on my lap while she had the jab and screamed bloody murder! But no side effects. I still haven't broken the news to her that there's a jab number 2 🤦‍♀️

Eatentoomanyroses · 17/03/2023 16:06

Does anyone know if it’s worth having the Jab if your child has already had it? My first had it mildly when she was 1 and then again but worse age 7. My other dc caught it off her at 6 months old and was really bad with it. The gp said if they get it very young they don’t always get immunity

Jules912 · 18/03/2023 12:26

I really wish I'd got it for DD, she was quite poorly with chicken pox and now has scars( it doesn't help she has ASD so getting her to take medicine or not scratch was a nightmare).

24HoursFromTulseHill · 09/04/2023 03:22

My DS is due his 1 year vaccinations next week and I'll book him in for his chickenpox vaccine at the chemist after that - I think they have to wait 4 weeks after the MMR vaccine before having the chickenpox one because they're both live vaccines.
I believe the UK was set to include it in childhood vaccinations before covid happened and the nurse practitioner at our gp was telling us about the vaccine when DS had his first baby jab so the situation at the moment seems to be that parents who can afford it and are broadly 'pro-vaccine' are getting it done privately.

hampsteadmum · 09/04/2023 09:06

Both mine have had it and they are now 18 and nearly 15. Never had chicken pox. Even then, mid/late 00s the CP vaccine was in the standard immunisation list in the US and most European countries.

Fam23 · 09/04/2023 18:55

Eatentoomanyroses · 17/03/2023 16:06

Does anyone know if it’s worth having the Jab if your child has already had it? My first had it mildly when she was 1 and then again but worse age 7. My other dc caught it off her at 6 months old and was really bad with it. The gp said if they get it very young they don’t always get immunity

I’m not sure if they’ll vaccinate if the child has already had chicken pox.
when you book it on boots it asks if they’ve had chicken pox before.

Comfies · 09/04/2023 18:59

Yes, my two have had the CP vaccine as babies. No side effects and they've never caught CP.