I wanted to ask you ladies if your pediatrician is advising boosting your child with the chicken pox vaccine around the ages of 7-10 years?

My pediatrician said this is becoming a discussed topic in the medical community due to older kids contracting chicken pox.

Apparently the vaccine has been around long enough to realize it does not stay effective life long.

My son Austin had the vaccine as an 1 year old and Brandon was 4, but still contracted the chicken pox. Brandon was 16 and Austin was 10. It kicked their bottoms! They were so sick. Funny thing was, Ethan who received the vx at age one also, did not get them. Ryan was okay (I was pregnant with Lillian) and the docs theory on this was; Ryan just had the vaccine recently and it hadn’t worn off.

Moms if you have done the vaccine once on your child, don’t think it is going to keep your kids chicken pox free.

Have any of you had your child reboosted or been approached to do so?

i totally do not agree with the chicken pox vaccine. my daughter who is 2 has not had it yet. i know sooo many people who's kids got the vaccine then still ended up getting the chicken pox. and i heard that it was a worse case then if they wouldn't have had the vaccine in the first place. i know when she goes to school i will have to get it for her. but i'm hoping things will change by then. oh and i should say my doctor always gives me a hard time every time i request against it. this also goes for the flu vaccine. i'm really against that one also.

I do not agree with the Chxpox vax, its a normal child hood disease...Also No flu Shots for my child either, Im a Nurse and the Flu shot often does not cover the Flu that you get, this yr where i work we have seen More Stomach Flu than anything, and the Vax does not cover the Stomach flu....
But , to each their own I am not one to force My opinions on others...

It seems like this whole CP vaccine is not a good idea. We had misgivings about it with my oldest. My husband went ahead and let them give him the shot though. Shouldn't have I don't think.

greatfulcup, tj'smum, and gritsrus,

We completely agree with you! Chicken Pox vaccine is NOT a guarantee your child will not get Chicken Pox (NOR is ANY other vaccine, for that matter, a guarantee), nor can the vaccine guarantee your child's onset and length be shorter or severity lessened.


And greatfulcup, your child does NOT have to get ANY vaccines if you decide against them completely or decide to stagger your child's plan.

Remember, moms, NO ONE has the authority to force ANYone to inject ANYthing into you or your child. It is YOUR RIGHT to decline, wait, or stagger as you see fit. Become educated on your vaccination rights.

You can read much more on vaccines in any number of threads at:

www.theledger.com


TJ'sMum,
Thanks for including the fact that oftentimes, the Flu Vaccine doesn't have much, if any, effect. Each year a new vaccine is created determined by the trend of the strains being seen and the research over time. Which is really a guess as to which it may be, and many times the Pharmaceutical Companies/Medical Researchers are off, therefore the vaccine is ineffective.


Peace and Health to you all!

Courtney, American is right. There is a process you can take at the Polk County school Board and forms to fill out that can opt your child out of vaccine requirements.

I do know one mom who tried this, and said it was such a pain.

If you are vigilant, have the time to battle it, and it is your feeling you don't want your child to have it, go for it!

thanks for telling me this. i didn't know i could argue this one. the chicken pox vaccine is the only one i have a problem with. well i should also say i refuse the flue vaccine also. hopefully by the time brooke goes to school it wont be mandatory.

quote:

Originally posted by Shawn Arnold:
Courtney, American is right. There is a process you can take at the Polk County school Board and forms to fill out that can opt your child out of vaccine requirements.

I do know one mom who tried this, and said it was such a pain.

If you are vigilant, have the time to battle it, and it is your feeling you don't want your child to have it, go for it!

Shawn,
Sorry to hear the trouble your friend went through. It doesn't have to be a hassle. And nothing about getting the proper documentation requires "vigilance" or alotted time for "battle."

It could very well have been someone at the school board whose personal opinion clouded their professional ability in getting it taken care of within reasonable limits.



Any parent can go to the Health Department to acquire the necessary form(s). Depending on their load for the day, it can take wait time, as with any other typical appointment. Or it can be all of 10 minutes in and out.


One form is all a school needs, a copy. ALWAYS maintain originals for your own personal records. If they request the original, request additional ones from the Health Department. Actually, I'd recommend inquiring about additional copies at the initial visit anyway.

Some Pediatricians offer this as a service to their patients and families.



GREATFULCUP,

NONE of the vaccines are mandatory!

My daughter had the vaccine when she was a baby along with her other shots. At the time, the doctor made it seem like this was just another mandatory shot for her to have. I never knew that the chicken pox vaccine was optional.

quote:

Originally posted by Rella123:
My daughter had the vaccine when she was a baby along with her other shots. At the time, the doctor made it seem like this was just another mandatory shot for her to have. I never knew that the chicken pox vaccine was optional.

Yes, that is what doctors do, unfortunately. ALL vaccinations are OPTIONAL. NONE are mandatory or required! Every parent has the RIGHT to choose to wait, stagger, or not vaccinate at all.

i also have a doctor who hands you forms to sign before he gives shots without really telling you what he's doing. i ask everytime. and every time i say no to chicken pox he gives me a hugh gilt trip about oh kids have died from not getting the vaccine. hello i have a healthy child if she was not healthy maybe i would consent. i just really hate the guilt trips. but i'm sticking to my guns on this one!!!

Rella123, The chicken pox vaccine is a required vaccine to enter public schools. If you do not get the vaccine, you will have to go through the opt out option paper work.

Along with public schools, keep in mind that while the vaccines may not be "required" legally, if your child is going to daycare, most do require that they have the vaccines that are recommended (including chicken pox) to stay enrolled.

Thanks for the info ladies.

good point little T!