Chickenpox and vaccines.

[DreamToNightmare]

I have two children aged 8 and 5 and neither of them have had chicken pox.

A year or so ago me and DH were considering getting them the vaccine but nothing came of the conversation.

A family friend’s daughter died last week from sepsis resulting from chickenpox and it’s terrified me.

Has anyone else given their child the vaccine?

im mid chicken pox at the moment- I would have vaccinated solely to avoid what nearly was an almighty holiday fuck up. Chicken pox vaccine to me just removes the inevitable catching it before an event!

Yes. You might struggle to get it at the moment though. DD had her first dose but then I've been unable to get her second due to a national shortage. If you can get hold of it, absolutely do it.

It doesn’t wear off - worrying a doctor friend would spread that misinformation. It’s a live virus - works the same way as getting it. Exposure to chicken pox helps boost immunity.

I plan to but right now there is a shortage - both Boots and Superdrug not currently providing. Really hoping I can find it somewhere

I got my DS done by the practice nurse at our NHS GP although we had to pay for it.

My nephew has just been very ill with chicken pox, hospitalised for weeks and two months later still not full recovered. I had no idea before this that it could be so serious. Fortunately my two have had it (their cousin caught it from them). My DS was off school for 2 weeks and his spots became infected. If I had my time again I would have them vaccinated.

I just had it done for my third child. My older two had chicken pox few years back and it took 5 weeks to play out across the two of them. And there are always risks of having a particularly bad bout that I wanted to avoid. When I asked around among friends I was surprised how many had already had their children vaccinated, so it is becoming relatively common to get it done. And no side effects of it among any of us.

I’m not a doctor and honestly have no idea what is the best….however, on the bright side gave me a giggle about the chickenpox “parties” as a child and also being so young (approx. 3) standing in front of my child minders fire (who was like a second mother) with oven mitts on being covered in that pink “medicine” which you would never get away with these days 😂

pointless post as I don’t have the knowledge to give you any real advice but memories to vivid not to voice

x

I also meant to say that I had chicken pox aged 9 and was pretty ill. So especially as your older one goes further along without having had it I would consider the vaccine.

Yes, both of mine are vaccinated. I had to pay for it but I feel worth it. No side effects for either of mine. It was split into two jabs.

Yes we vaccinated our child, she hasn't caught it, it went around her class at school and she didn't get a mild version of it either. You have to pay privately, but it's cheap compared to the amount of time you would have to take off work or lose a holiday if they got it just before going abroad etc.

My son had both doses about a year ago at Boots. No side effects.
It was a no brainier for me as I had a school friend who ended up seriously Ill with chicken pox complications when I was about 14.
Also keep getting recurring shingles myself which wouldn't happen if I'd never had chicken pox. The virus lies dormant in your system then can reactivate at a later date hence shingles. Not nice. Hopefully he'll be spared all that.

Yes my oldest was vaccinated 6 years ago and my youngest has had one dose and getting the second next week. It's worked for my oldest as she didn't catch her cousin's chicken pox (cousin left the house with an active case!) and didn't get it when there was an outbreak at pre-school.