Has anyone had their children vaccinated against chicken pox?

[McDreamy]

My children are having it done on Thursday and I just wondered if your children had any side effects afterwards.

I'm bothered that CP vax in children will result in more adult cases. I've had CP as an adult, it was grim and is undeniably much more dangerous. And, as mentioned in ali's post, the chances of getting shingles at a younger age.

My concern with the vaccine would be that boosters are needed and what if by the time the booster is needed then an older child/adult gets chicken pox which is a way bigger deal and far worse illness than a young child.
It is a common childhood ilness and side effects are rare, I know some countires overseas routinely vaccinate but I just wonder why with something so routine.

Yes, all three of ours have had it done - optional but fully reimbursed by social security here in France.

No side effects. Not painful.

But why?

I didn't make the decision for my stepsons.

I wanted it for my daughter because she has the same very fine skin that scars and marks easily that I do.

Well like I have said earlier I didn't start this thread to discuss the pros and cons of the vaccination. DH and I have researched and come up with a solution that works for us based on our medical knowledge and experience. I just wanted to know about side effects.

My friends DS has lost the use of his shoulder joint at the moment - it's not clear whether this is permenant or temporary . He's only a baby

I think my concern would be that even if the vaccination protected them in childheed, there is no certainty that it provides lifelong protection - and chicken pox is much worse if you get it as an adult.

Because of chicken pox, McDreamy?

Yes because of chicken pox

My DS had severe chickenpox at 10 months. The doctor said it was the worse case she had ever seen and warned me about encephallitis. My boy was in agony and he is now badly scarred.
OK, the scarring will fade and his immune system has had a good workout but I would have paid anything to have avoided it.
The only reason that children are not routinely vaccinated in this country is cost.

But I suppose you have to weigh up the cost of vaccinating against the cost of chicken pox related side effects each year not sure what they would be though. None of us like our children being ill with anything and we all wish we could take it away.
I am by no means anti vax but I just cannot help thinking people do get a bit over excited about these things why would we want tobe putting all these needles in for an illness that in the moajority of cases has no real huge side effects. I am not saying it never happens but in comparison to the amount of children who get chicken pox the ones with anything worse is small.

And my son also had a horrible time with the chicken pox so I am not speaking as a parent that had an easy passing of it with her children. I would have loved to take the pain away but I also have seen and adult with chicken pox and it was really not nice I would rather he got it out the way now than be vaxed and catch it possibly as an adult.

And this adult that had the chicken pox was angry at her mother for keeping her away from all cases as a child and not letting ehr get it when she saw how easily her own children got through it compared to her.

That must ba an incredibly rare complication, McDreamy - I can't find any reference to it on the usual websites.

Just to reassure people - chickenpox is almost invariably a mild if sometimes unpleasant illness which children recover from within a week or so with no long term effects.

kamsmum - it's weird, it sounds like we have had similar experiences but I feel quite differently about the vaccine. DS also caught it at 10 months and had a very bad case, worse case the hospital had seen in years, certainly the worst case in a baby. He had, no kidding, over 500 spots and they were in his eyes and mouth. He is now 21 months and I would say has approx 80 visible scars, mainly on his back, sides and tummy with one noticeable one on his face. They do upset me to see but I am also glad he has had CP and I would not consider the vaccine for future children because of the increased risk of CP as an adult. My father was in a coma for a fortnight and nearly died as a result of the CP he caught off me and my sister - a few scars is nothing compared to that. Until they come up with a vaccine which looks like it can eradicate the disease and works for life I won't be vaccinating my children.

I'm sorry - I posted my last before adding that I do hope your friend's little boy gets better soon, McDreamy.

Really? Osteomyelitis is a known complication of chicken pox (albeit rare), I am surprised. But I am not wanting to enter into a discussion about our decision

Thanks Seeker, we have our fingers crossed for him, poor wee man

My 2 have had the jab and had no side effects. We live in the usa and all their friends have had it (it's required here in calif) and I have not heard of anyone having any side effects.

I do know, on the other hand, many many many people who have had truly awful side effects from having had chicken pox itself. This includes my stepson who spent 4 days in hospital and is scarred all over his body and my stepdaughter who had a fairly mild case but it was on her face and she is now permanently scarred on her otherwise very pretty face.

dd has not had chickenpox yet and shes 8. I have vaguely wondered about whether if she still hasn't had it by the age of 16 if I should then suggest to her she gets vaccinated. As its 8 years off yet and many many things may change its a very hypothetical thought

Jabbed yesterday and so far no side effects - thank you all for your reassurance

I have been vaccinated.

I was vaccinated at 38wks pregnant with DD3, as DD2 had it and I was proven to be immune aftere I told the nurses (DD2 was so poorly with it she was in hospital, and needing oxygen, altho she also had brochiolitis and tonsilitis at the same time)........it didn;t work and DD3 was still born with it and she has had health problems ever since.

she and I are also still not immune, so everytime there is a chicken pox outbreak we both now become ill, and until she was 5 DD3 also ended up in hospital each time too!

I have not had any of my others vacinated, even tho DD2 was so ill and we had suffered since, as I felt in a hugely unnecessary risk that could make things worse, as they did for us.

all mine have now had it tho, and even tho DS1 also got very poorly and needed antibiotics for infects pox, I am glad that they had it in the normal course of childhood.