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Original poster

Booked DD in for chicken pox vaccine… I’ve just found out I’ve not had chicken pox myself!

20 replies

PaisleyPatterns · 12/09/2024 20:39

Booked DD in for chicken pox vaccine. Chatting to my mum who has just told me I never had chickenpox as a child ! I thought I had it… as chickenpox vaccine is live, I am thinking I should be the one getting vaccinated first before my DD? As I might catch it from her following the vaccination.

Any thoughts or advice welcome, thank you!

OP posts:
SunQueen24 · 12/09/2024 20:43

It’s only a concern if you’re pregnant.

SunQueen24 · 12/09/2024 20:44

Or you could both have the vaccine at the same time?

amothersinstinct · 12/09/2024 20:46

It's not really effective at all to have the vaccine as an adult

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Dontfuckingsaycheese · 12/09/2024 20:48

It can cause more complications or at least a more serious illness in adults. Do they even offer it to adults though?
Does getting a live vaccine even make you contagious?

InTheRainOnATrain · 12/09/2024 20:48

Book yourself in at the same time?

Original poster
PaisleyPatterns · 12/09/2024 20:50

SunQueen24 · 12/09/2024 20:44

Or you could both have the vaccine at the same time?

Good idea, thank you!

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Xmasbaby11 · 12/09/2024 20:53

Id get the vaccine yourself. I got vaccinated in between pregnancies as I had a scare when I was pregnant with dd1.

just about to get dd1 vaccinated as she’s nearly 13 and never had it - even though dd10 has had it twice!

Strictlymad · 12/09/2024 20:54

Some people are immune, caught it but had a runny nose and 1 spot so didn’t realise. Ask gp for immunity blood test, then if you aren’t immune book together. If you are you’ve saved 150 quid

toastofthetown · 12/09/2024 21:10

You could get it yourself. I was vaccinated as an adult a couple of years ago, and while the vaccine itself was more painful than other vaccines, I had zero side effects.

Shedding from the chickenpox vaccine is very rare though, and would only be a risk if your daughter developed a rash so I wouldn't be unduly concerned if you aren't vulnerable in some way.

samarrange · 12/09/2024 21:11

Get the vaccine. I got chickenpox at the age of 30 and it was the most ill I've ever been. Not life-threatening but I was knocked for six for a fortnight. Worse than bad flu, worse than Covid.

HateThese4Leggedbeasts · 12/09/2024 21:28

I haven't had chickenpox but my siblings have. I was exposed when I was pregnant but my blood tests showed I had immunity already. I didn't have a specific test , they knew from my initial blood test taken at my first appointment. The hypothesis was I was exposed as child but didn't have any symptoms.

It might be worth seeing if your maternity notes or blood test results show immunity if you can access them?

thursdaymurderclub · 12/09/2024 21:31

neither have i... i'm immune apparently! i was tested when my dad had shingles and i was pregnant and he had to come stay with me for a while!

both my DD's had them very young, before vaccines were normal..

mambojambodothetango · 12/09/2024 21:32

I had vaccine same time as both DC as I'd never had it

Violinist64 · 12/09/2024 21:39

I think that you should have the vaccine. Chickenpox in adults is very often very nasty - much worse than it is for most children. Some have even died of it. It is not worth taking the risk

Original poster
PaisleyPatterns · 13/09/2024 17:30

Thanks everyone for your advice. I am still breastfeeding and struggling to find anywhere that does the vaccine while breastfeeding despite the NHS website saying it’s fine for breastfeeding women to have.

All of a sudden very concerned about getting chicken pox!

OP posts:
Original poster
PaisleyPatterns · 13/09/2024 17:47

Who does the NHS say it is fine to have the chicken pox vaccine when breastfeeding but Boots don’t allow it?

OP posts:
SunQueen24 · 14/09/2024 14:08

PaisleyPatterns · 13/09/2024 17:47

Who does the NHS say it is fine to have the chicken pox vaccine when breastfeeding but Boots don’t allow it?

Because they’re risk adverse. They say that about almost everything when you’re feeding. I said to the midwife I am taking antihistamine because surely if I could take it pregnant I can take it breastfeeding. She said exactly and agreed. It’s likely because it’s not been specifically tested rather than any evidence it’s unsafe.

Original poster
PaisleyPatterns · 14/09/2024 14:32

SunQueen24 · 14/09/2024 14:08

Because they’re risk adverse. They say that about almost everything when you’re feeding. I said to the midwife I am taking antihistamine because surely if I could take it pregnant I can take it breastfeeding. She said exactly and agreed. It’s likely because it’s not been specifically tested rather than any evidence it’s unsafe.

Show quote history

Thanks for your reply. I agree with what you’re saying, it makes sense too, I do get it

i asked the pharmacist and he said it was because more training would be required ? !

OP posts:
Rory17384949 · 14/09/2024 14:38

Didn't you get your immunity to chicken pox checked when you were pregnant though? I thought it was a routine antenatal test because of chickenpox being dangerous during pregnancy.

You could call your GP and see if this is on your medical records. If you're immune then no need to worry.

If you're definitely not immune there is a very small risk of you catching chickenpox from your DD when she gets vaccinated so seeing as you're breastfeeding I think the most sensible option is to delay the vaccine a few months then both have it at the same time.

Original poster
PaisleyPatterns · 14/09/2024 14:44

Rory17384949 · 14/09/2024 14:38

Didn't you get your immunity to chicken pox checked when you were pregnant though? I thought it was a routine antenatal test because of chickenpox being dangerous during pregnancy.

You could call your GP and see if this is on your medical records. If you're immune then no need to worry.

If you're definitely not immune there is a very small risk of you catching chickenpox from your DD when she gets vaccinated so seeing as you're breastfeeding I think the most sensible option is to delay the vaccine a few months then both have it at the same time.

Is that a routine test? I don’t recall but will investigate, thank you. Up until 2 days ago, I thought I’d had chicken pox as a baby so may well have told my midwife this. Thanks for your reply

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