Chickenpox, 1 month old and 4 yr old

[SecretHappiness]

Have a 4yr old in Reception and just got an email that chickenpox is going around. DD hasn’t had it yet so I think it’s only a matter of time. We wanted to get her vaccinated but I had a complicated/high risk pregnancy that took all of our time and attention.

Now we also have a month old baby in the house and I’m freaking out because I’ve heard chickenpox in babies can be extremely serious.

I don’t know what to do. Is it too late to have DD vaccinated? (I understand it can take a couple of weeks for immunity to set in). If DD gets it she won’t show symptoms for a bit so do we just sit and wait?

I have health anxiety anyway and now I am really freaking out about baby getting it. And DD too to be honest, although her immune system seems quite robust now and she tends to fight off coughs colds etc like a champ. It’s more the baby I’m really worried about.

My DS had chicken pox aged seven weeks. It wasn’t too bad really, he was covered in spots and we had to make sure he had scratch mits on all the time but he survived. The GP was surprised he’d caught it, as he was fully breastfed.

@Voldemortifying that’s good to know, thank you for sharing. Baby is breast milk fed (she’s had the odd formula top up in the early days but now almost 100% breast milk) and I know I have immunity as I’ve been tested for it. So that’s reassuring.

I’d get her vaccinated, it may not be too late to do it and may give some immunity if she comes into contact more over the next few weeks which she likely will. I’d try and avoid a month old baby getting it if at all possible.

Thanks @Overthebow, that’s where we’ve gotten to as well. We’ve booked DD(4) to get vaccinated tomorrow morning. Hopefully it will help.
I was concerned the vaccination website said about using live chickenpox and to stay away from newborns of non-immune mothers for 6 weeks (?!) but I am immune and my understanding from further reading it is only a concern if DD develops a rash after the vaccine which apparently only happens in 1-3% of cases.

How I wish I had just gone ahead and got it all done when I first thought about it months ago.

It's not too late to get vaccinated. Your 4yo can get vaccinated up to 72h after an exposure. Your local pharmacy or Superdrug may even have spots available today.

I got my 10 month old vaccinated as soon as LO turned 9m because I don't fancy A a really sick/unhappy baby or B taking loads of time off (am no longer on mat leave).

My daughter had it last year and I had a premature baby at home who was 10 weeks technically 4 weeks he caught two weeks after her I was so worried but he was absolutely fine covered albeit but he dealt with it fine please don’t worry xx

By them having chickenpox it boosts their immune system no need for the vaccination again don’t worry hun xx