Would you get your child vaccinated against chicken pox?

[mommathatwearspink]

I'm considering getting DS vaccinated against chicken pox when he is 1 and can't really find any reason why I shouldn't. Although my DD had a mild case and wasn't particularly unwell (I wasn't aware there was a vaccine at the time), I don't see why DS needs to go through it all.
Would you get your child vaccinated? Is there a reason I shouldn't? If you did, where did you get it done?

I wouldn't and didn't. Dd had it at 3 and ds had it at 6 months.

I did with my two. Simply because my NDN’s little boy was hospitalised with it - his spots got infected and although he’s fine now he’s badly scarred. It made me realise just how serious it can be even in perfectly healthy children.

The one thing the nurse was very strict on was that you absolutely had to get the follow up jab a couple of months later. Otherwise the immunity will run out just as they hit puberty and it can be muc more serious if caught older.

It's standard where I live, so yes.

My dc’s has it done at a local pharmacy. If you google it there will be at least one place that will do it in most towns.

Yes, and I have done. We used citydoc, paid £70ish per injection for a course of two.

I should add, a colleagues previously healthy toddler died from the complications of chickenpox, so whilst there are risks associated with the immunisation we opted for it regardless.

I wouldn't and didn't.
If you do, then also get yourself and DH vaccinated against shingles. Looking after a sick child with chicken pox every few years is protective against shingles.

I have a reception age child & somehow managed to avoid all the outbreaks, if the child hasn't had it by the time the summer holidays get here I'm planning on getting it done.

Yes! I was just about to take the plunge and get both of my boys vaccinated when my 3 year old then got it. He only had it pretty mildly and though it wasn't pleasant it was just something to get through. My 14 month old then got it two weeks later and he was covered. Literally covered everywhere, in his mouth, throat, ear canal his whole ace and head. He even had two on his eye ball. They got infected. He ended up on a cocktail of antivirals, antibiotics, painkillers and antihistamine. It was the worst 2-3 weeks of my life, it was awful seeing him so poorly. He didn't eat a scrap for over a week, luckily still drank milk.

I wouldn't hesitate to get the vaccine. You just never know how badly they will get it.

I can see the plus side to vaccinating against it for sure. It IS great to be able to bypass this childhood illness because it is uncomfortable and a pain to recover from. It can drag on a bit as well, which impacts work and school.

I actually declined the vaccine for DC1 who was born in the States (it's part of the regular vaccine schedule in California- or at least it was in 2002). It's good for their immunity to get chicken pox. That's MY opinion though.

I didn't with dc1 and 2.

Dc1 sailed through chicken pox but dc2 suffered really badly, has many facial scars from deep infection and was ill for a long time afterwards.

Dc3 was vaccinated.

I can't see how it's any different for their immunity whether they get chicken pox or have the vaccine? Both result in them producing antibodies (but obviously they have to suffer first if they get chicken pox).

This is one of the few vaccines I’m not fond of. It’s one of only a handful of live vaccines still in use, the great majority are inactive. Due to personal experience, I wouldnt want it, but can understand the appeal.

I would if mine hadn't already had it, mainly because it might arrive at an inopportune moment...

Yes, taking them in for the booster tomorrow in fact. I had it and was so miserable, wouldn't want them to suffer like this if it can be avoided.

Here's the reasons why it's not recommended:

www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1032.aspx?CategoryID=62

Similar to RNBrie - I’ve had my DC3 vaccinated, but both my others had had chickenpox badly as toddlers. I didn’t want to risk DC3 getting it as an older child and having an even worse case, or missing school etc. It was expensive but worth it for the peace of mind.

F

I'm in two minds - DH had it really badly as a child but I only had it mildly. I don't want to risk DD being very ill but am concerned about the impact on others.

It's standard here so yes I would have have.
My youngest actually did catch it 3 weeks before her immunisation was due. She was ill for over two weeks, fever, COVERED in spots itchy and still had scars, including on her face, five years later. It is a horrible illness I'm not sure why it's often considered minor like a cold or similar. My DD had an awful couple of weeks. She still got given the immunisation but later on- this was the advice of the doctor.
I would definitely get it.

Still has scars that should be - they are not disappearing.

I did. I discussed it with my GP who said there was no reason not to. Some children do get it on the NHS but the main reason most don't is because of cost / prioritisation of other services. It is a standard vaccine in many countries. Frankly it should be offered here IMO.

I also think the NHS Choices page given upthread is misleading. anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles as the virus lies dormant in your system. More older people get shingles because there immune systems are weaker ...

Thank you for all of your replies... such a split of opinions. I definitely think I'm going to book DS in for the vaccine just after his 1st birthday (if he doesn't catch CP before then).
Does anyone know if there is any complications with it being a live vaccine?

codswallop that is good to know that your GP saw no reason why you shouldn't and to be honest, I haven't read anything that makes me think against it. After all, the vaccine is part of the routine schedule in many countries and it seems the only real reason it isn't given here in the UK is due to cost.

Both mok be are vaccinated. The chicken pox itself wasn’t the reason, I suffer from recurrent shingles and I really wouldn’t wish that in my worst enemy, let alone my kids.