Getting DCs vaccinated against Chicken Pox?

[bringmesunshine2009]

DSs 2 and 1 missed the last circuit of the pox. I am back at work and figure a vaccination is a helluva a lot cheaper than days off work, plus I am happy to spare them from being grumpy and itchy. Particularly since DH hasn't had it before, I am struggling to see any great arguments for not doing it.

The main googleable disadvantage seems to be the more people are vaccinated against CP the less exposure others have, increasing their chance of shingles? Which seems a bit of a stretch, since DSs are a wee drop in the population ocean.

So AIBU, if so why? Unless I hear amazing arguments to the contrary I am calling the vaccination people ASAP.

i spent ages researching it and DD had her first jab 3 weeks ago and will have her second next week. it's not all that expensive. I know a few infectious disease specialist doctors and they've all had their kids vaccinated so that made my decision for me (that and seeing a child with chickenpox encephalitis and being determined to do anything within my power to stop my dd having this horrid complication)

How expensive is it? I have been vaguely toying with the idea...

Having just had a hideous month of children having it I would definitely get the jab!

And I dont get the shingles thing. You can only get shingles if you have previously had CP, it's the reactivation of the virus.

prices

This place says £50, but am not sure if that is per injection. Some places say there is a perscription fee or registration fee, so could be more.

sleepless am sold!

It's on the schedule in Australia, and I don't know why it isn't here. YANBU.

I was wondering about this too - how effective and how much?

Complications scare me, especially in light of how cavalier people I know are, about exposing their DC to the pox and then blithely carrying on with the usual round of preschool-age activities until said DC are spotty.

i bought the vaccine through work (I work in GP practice) so got cost price of £35ish. private clinics round here are charging £80-90 per dose, which is cheaper than a week off work....

Apparently if you have had chicken pox, everytime you come into contact with the virus it acts as a booster. If it was widely vaccinated people wouldn't get the booster effect and as they get older be at further risk of shingles. But tat was in the DM via Dr Google so can't say is reliable :)

If I'd have known there was a vaccine I'd have done it. My two when through hell with chicken pox (in their mouths and throats). 'twas not nice. I had recalled it as just another childhood illness, but it can be deeply unpleasant.

Sleepless, stupid Q, if I asked the GP could I pay privately through them? Or is that not possible do you think?

Do it. I did with both of mine. I cannot understand why more parents dont get this vaccination. So many people think chicken pox is ok to get but it can be really serious as some other posters upthread have mentioned

It cost me about £110 and they need a second jab after a certain amount of time

It is far better to be vaccinated against this than not. The only reason it hasn't been made compulsory is cost.

I'd be tempted too. My boys are 7 and 5, have escaped so far. I don't want them to not have it in childhood, as it's worse as an adult. But if I can avoid them having it at all that would be great.

Thanks all. I ANBU. Hurrah!

Also researched, got me and DD1 jabbed. Round here cost about £50 a go but thats not NHS so probably doesn't help you (sorry!).

Had 2 dds and realised I'd not had CP myself, horrific images of all 3 of us coming down with it one at a time, a month or more of chicken pox!

Came to same conclusion as you, major issue being every time you are exposed it strengthens your bodies defences to it. If everyone was vaccinated then they would develop the defence, but that defence would wane with age - then they would be more likely to get shingles. Since we are a tiny drop in the UK pool of kids, ours will get plenty of further exposure to CP to strengthen their defence.

(btw DD2 had it just a few weeks after my jabs, so I've tested my and DD1s vaccine and it worked!)

Itsallgoingtobefine - I believe the vaccination "counts" as getting CP as far as the virus is concerned, so you can get shingles after vaccination.

wow, took me ages to write that!

DS2 had chicken pox when he was 6 months old and it was horrendous, in all his chubby creases, so unhappy bless him, I wish I could have saved him from that experience. In your position I'd go for it.

My Dds have both been vaccinated, cost £110 each (for two jabs each) at a local "travel clinic" (GP that does travel and other vaccinations privately at weekends).

Had mild shingles last year, ouch!

Appreciate your efforts gemma4d it was the month of nursing family on no pay that terrified me. Particularly DH who is insufferable when unwell.

DS had it (despite having already had chicken pox ) and DD is due to get it via The NHS around the time of her per school boosters.

DS suffered no ill effects from the jab.

Presumably boosters available Fio? I guess I will have to try and remember then.

I didn't know that! Blimey.