OT: Did you give your dc the chicken pox vaccine?

[fterie4u]

I am really on the fence as whether or not to have my dd get this vaccine. :confused3 I have read many things and there are good points both ways. So, I just thought I would check with all of you to see what you did. Can you also tell me if you did have them get the vaccine, how old were they and what their reaction was to it? If they did not get it, have they had the chicken pox yet? Thank you for your help!

[The Disney Bunch]

Loaded question! Be prepared for this to be long & drawn out.

Yes I did give my girls the vaccine. For several reasons - I knew that it was going to be made mandatory by the time they went to kindergarten. Both my brothers got the chicken pox so severe that they hallucinated & were hospitalized. I got the chicken pox twice & was miserable. DH got the chicken pox when he was an adult & it was awful. I do not want my girls to ever go through that. So giving the vaccine might mean that they either will not get it or if they do, they will get a mild case. That is preferable.
Two of the girls did ok with the vacccine. One developed a rash the week following with a fever. Was over it in a day. I had it done at their 2 year check-up since they were not due for any other vaccinations at that visit. Good luck!

[F1Julie]

DD6 got it at whatever age the AAP recommends it. I can't remember, maybe 15 or 18 months? She had no reaction to it. I think vaccines are great and I'm all for preventing any illness you can.

[jodifla]

I did. DS had no reaction. He had it pretty young, when they first recommend it.

DH's brother had chicken pox so bad he almost died from it. I was out for weeks from school with it, and still have scarring on my face.

Chicken pox can be VERY serious, which is why I inoculated my DS. Even if he gets a case, it will most likely be very mild.

[Twingle]

We were really undecided about it when our son was little, and couldn't decide for sure. I had a HORRIBLE case of Chicken Pox as a child, had to be hospitalized. My DH had a very mild case, wasn't even a big deal for him. However, Virginia made in mandatory for any child in school to have it - so we had to do it! He had no reactions.

My DD's had it at their 2 y.o. well visit, like a pp said, they weren't getting any other shots so we did it then. One did fine, the other had a low grade fever and developed a "wheel", a bump at the incision site. It was gone in about three days, and didn't seem to bother her any.

I think most vaccines have good and bad points, and depending on where you are reading the info there may be strong cases for both. But, my DH and I agree that if there are ways to keep our children healthier, we're all for it.

[Mouse House Mama]

We gave it to them. You cannot enter school here without it.

[Luv'sTink]

DS had the shot when he was 18 months old. He had no reaction to it at all. He is now 10, so when he received it it was still pretty new.

[toesmom]

both my kids got the vaccine, no problems and no reactions

[MOQu]

Just went to DS3's checkup yesterday and discussed this with his dr. I have opted to wait until he is 6 or 7 and his immune system is more developed. D15 and DS16 both had the chickenpox twice! One case mild and one case more severe. I personally would rather he get the chickenpox while young instead of the vaccine.

The vaccine is fairly new (if my teenagers had not had the chickenpox already, they would have had to have a booster since there is not good data as to how long the vaccine is effective.)

What if the vaccince wears off as they get older and then they get sick as an adult? Chickenpox as an adult is horrible!

I know a lot of people think I am nuts, but my ped. is willing to work with me (and they can not make me stick a needle into my child to allow him into school. This is a free country!)

[Mouse House Mama]

Just went to DS3's checkup yesterday and discussed this with his dr. I have opted to wait until he is 6 or 7 and his immune system is more developed. D15 and DS16 both had the chickenpox twice! One case mild and one case more severe. I personally would rather he get the chickenpox while young instead of the vaccine.

The vaccine is fairly new (if my teenagers had not had the chickenpox already, they would have had to have a booster since there is not good data as to how long the vaccine is effective.)

What if the vaccince wears off as they get older and then they get sick as an adult? Chickenpox as an adult is horrible!

I know a lot of people think I am nuts, but my ped. is willing to work with me (and they can not make me stick a needle into my child to allow him into school. This is a free country!)


You can do what you want. That is your choice, but in NY you cannot attend school without it.

[macmahony]

My kids have not had it, they go to school.
You can sign a waiver in almost all states for not giving your a child vaccine. We delay all shots, and some we don't give at all.

[Oceana]

My kids have not recieved the vaccine. They have not yet had the pox but I am hoping we get invited to a pox party this summer. My elder child is in school with a waiver

julie

[beth_cam]

after giving my dd the rotovirus vaccine just because the dr said to without a second thought along with all her shots, just to have it recalled I was hesitant about the Chicken pox vaccine since it was new. While I continued with her other vaccines I didnt give her the Chicken pox one. Then my son came and his first few vaccinations went on schedule but then he started getting real sick a lot with asthma and unknown allergies. I stopped letting him get more than one stick at a time. this was reccommended thought not by his pediatrician since we had no idea about his allergies and how what might be causing flare ups. between that and not letting him get a shot if already having a fever we got off schedule but he was still getting all his shots within the recommended window. It was reccommended at 12 months but at about 18 months I decided to give my kids the vaccine. but since I wouldnt let them have multiple shots we had to play catch up and he was about 21 months before we could give it to him. I knew I probably would before they started school anyway rather than having to fight my way through the vaccine refusal forms etc. But, both my kids have ecema which makes them higher risk for secondary skin infections as well as my sons asthma (which my dd has recently been diagnosed with as well) he was also higher risk for more severe case. But what pushed me into deciding was how often my son was on steroids. Apparently chicken pox virus can be quickly deadly in asthma patients on steroids when they get exposed. Well okay then we know we will do it sooner or later so lets get it over with. If not for these things though I wonder if I would have decided to actually do it.

[ammo]

We vaccinated all of our children, but a pediatrician just told us that it may require boosting over the years (?).

One potential side effect of the vaccine actually affects people who have had chicken pox in the past -- shingles. Shingles is the adult flare up of the virus that causes chicken pox. Apparently it lurks in your nervous system and can cause great pain and skin lesions if it re-emerges. Lots of medical people believe that adult exposure to children with chicken pox boosts their immunity and staves off shingles. As a result, there seems to be an increase in shingles since the introduction of the vaccine. Having said that, DW and I decided that we are willing to increase our risk of shingles if the vaccine will benefit our kids.

[nettii]

When my DS was small (he is 12 now) it was still fairly new so I held off utill he HAD to have it. When my lil DS was small (now he is 6) I did get it when the DR recommended it.

[stczt]

My kids all had the chicken pox shot when they were babies and they just went in and the dr gave the oldest a booster too. Dh nor I have had Chicken pox.thats why we got them the shot. My nephew brought ot home from school and My brothers got it when they were in their late 20's and My Mom got it to in her 40's, she had them twice and almost died.

[minnierocks]

I did not...
When the vaccine first came out, my doc recommended against it because it does not offer lifetime immunity. If kids get the chicken pox, they have that lifetime immunity. Complications in adults are more severe than in children, so the thought was that if they get them while young, it is better. Both of my kids have had them, and had no complications-so for us, it was a good choice.
You have to go with your comfort level (and by requirements of your state). Just know that they may need boosters later in life.

[Tosie]

Ds got it, dd didn't. Dd ended up getting a mild case at age 2, but not severe enough to build up the immunity. Ds did not catch them from her, so I am assuming the vaccine worked.

[abolanwoski]

PLEASE - vaccinate your children. There are so many known cases of death and disibility from Chicken Pox (and other common infectious diseases) and virtually no documentable directly from the vaccines. While the vaccine may be new in the US, it was used in Japan with great success for 15 yrs before available here (so we got a defacto experiment in Japanese children). NO vaccines are for life, this is why kids get multiple shots into their college years and people need a tetanus every ten years. The only reason we don't continue to booster adults for all these diseases is that their incidence of exposure is so low after college.

In order for vaccination to eliminate these potential life-threatening disease, everyone needs to participate. Just look at Polio - it was eradicated in the US and is now enjoying a resurgance as people from other countries who don't routinely get the vaccine emmigrate here.

In addition, shingles is seen most often in immune-compromised adults and is a manifestation of a previous (usually childhood) infection. It can be deadly at worst, painful at best. If you never had chickenpox, you can't get shingles. Giving your kid chicken pox via a party doesn't make him/her immune, it makes them a life-long carrier of the virus (albeit a non-contagous one, until the shingles episode).

I know there is a lot of anecdotal evidence about kids getting autism, ADHD, etc from vaccines, but that is all it is. The peer-reviewed medical literature doesn't support this - and it's not some conspiracy. I have nothing to gain except the protection of my kids from infections that are so easily avoidable, but can be so deadly.

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I had my kids vaccinated as soon as the doctor mentioned it. I never had chicken pox myself and then when DS was 3 months old, DN passed on the chicken pox to us both (nobody knew he had it yet). I got a severe case of it. Absolute misery. DS got a milder case (thank goodness). The vaccination was too late to help me, but the pediatrician did vaccinate DS a year or two later because he said DS could get it again since it was so slight the first time around. After that, DD and DN (different nephew) both were vaccinated. No problems with reactions to the vaccination for us. :)

[fterie4u]

PLEASE - vaccinate your children. There are so many known cases of death and disibility from Chicken Pox (and other common infectious diseases) and virtually no documentable directly from the vaccines. While the vaccine may be new in the US, it was used in Japan with great success for 15 yrs before available here (so we got a defacto experiment in Japanese children). NO vaccines are for life, this is why kids get multiple shots into their college years and people need a tetanus every ten years. The only reason we don't continue to booster adults for all these diseases is that their incidence of exposure is so low after college.

In order for vaccination to eliminate these potential life-threatening disease, everyone needs to participate. Just look at Polio - it was eradicated in the US and is now enjoying a resurgance as people from other countries who don't routinely get the vaccine emmigrate here.

In addition, shingles is seen most often in immune-compromised adults and is a manifestation of a previous (usually childhood) infection. It can be deadly at worst, painful at best. If you never had chickenpox, you can't get shingles. Giving your kid chicken pox via a party doesn't make him/her immune, it makes them a life-long carrier of the virus (albeit a non-contagous one, until the shingles episode).

I know there is a lot of anecdotal evidence about kids getting autism, ADHD, etc from vaccines, but that is all it is. The peer-reviewed medical literature doesn't support this - and it's not some conspiracy. I have nothing to gain except the protection of my kids from infections that are so easily avoidable, but can be so deadly.

Hey I just wanted to say we will be at SoG the end of September into the first week of October! We LOVE it there!
Also, thank you all very much for your thoughts and advice!

[jmay127]

Both ds have had the shot. 14 yo before he started school as I didn't want him getting them once it started plus ped advised due to his asthma. 8 yo also before started school as it is required here now. Neither had a reaction though ped advised 14 yo will need booster soon. Dh & I both had cp as kids.

[Starr W.]

I even got the vaccine since I never had chicken pox as a kid, so my eldest and I got ours on the same day.

[TheDizMom]

I gave the vaccine to both my kids:thumbsup2 . My DD got hers at the recommended time as she was my second to get it. I sat on the fence on it for a while with my DS because when he was born not all Peds. were convinced on it:confused: . After a bit of time I gave it to him when he was 3 and doctors were then feeling more strongly that it should be given to every child. Neither child had a reaction with a rash only slight fevers I believe. Now comes the sticky part. When my DS was 6 1/2 my niece got the chicken pox from a child who had developed the rash from the shot. Now my BIL is a family physician and was supposed to give her the shot while my sister was out of town with the baby and didn't. Since the baby was to to young to get it they had no choice but to postpone so they didn't run the risk he would get it from her shot. Instead it happened to her and she came down with the chicken pox right after we arrived in Florida. It made for an interesting trip not being able to take her anywhere:rolleyes1 , but there was also no way to isolate her. We didn't worry about the older kids because they had all been vaccinated;) . Well 14 days to the letter(the usual incubation period) my vaccinated DS got the chicken pox. I wasn't to upset :confused3 about it as I figured now he would be 100% immune to it . He had an extremely light case with only about 75 pox most of which were on his back and chest. My DD was told to hug, kiss and whatever else her brother in the hopes that she would get it too. My poor 10 month old nephew, with no protection at all, of course got them. He had them so bad he must have had about 150 pox on just his poor little head. He was miserable :sick: and had a hard time eating as he had some in his mouth as well. I tried to expose my DD to him as much as possible as I was watching him for my sister while they were working. She has been exposed several more times since them and not gotten them so I think she is probably immune thanks to the shot and her many exposures. To me it didn't hurt my kids to have it and though my DS got them only about 3 years after his shot he had it mildly and wasn't really overly uncomfortable. Considering how badly my nephew got them without having had the shot, I'd do the shot no questions asked.

[WantToGoNow]

My husband nor myself have ever had the chicken pox. I vacinated my children in the hopes that they would not get them -- hence, we would not catch them from them.

My ds had his vaccine at his 1 year appointment. Six weeks later he broke out in chicken pox. The dr. said that there is a small percentage of children that get the pox from the vaccine --just our luck. It was a very mild case and he could possibly get them again later on.

My dd had the vacinne at her 18 month appointment. She broke out in a chicken pox like rash (blisters with tips) twice and was diagnosed with chicken pox both times by the pediatrician. When it happened a 3rd time (within 6 months), I took her to Urgent Care to find out that the rash was not chicken pox but excema. She has yet to had the real thing (but she's only 3).

My cousin's son had his at his 1 year well visit as well and when he went for his 6 year well visit he got the booster. My son turns 6 next week and his well visit is the following week -- I'll be curious to whether he gets the booster.

[Beth E. (NJ)]

Both my girls got the shots -- probably 3 or 4 years ago. No reaction to the shots.

[dis-happy]

My older two got CP naturally, and I've waited to get my younger ds the vaccine, hoping he would get a real case of it too. If not, I'll give him the vaccine around age 10.

My biggest concern is the lack of long term data and immunity. It's very dangerous for the baby when a pg. woman comes down with CP. I wonder what's going to happen when our dd's grow up, aren't completely immune, and come down with these secondary (even if mild cases) while pg. At least with a real case of CP you are covered for life.

I also noticed A LOT of anecdotal stories among my friends about shingles. This used to be what old people would sometimes get, now young children and young adults seem to be getting cases of it left and right. Just last week some official report on CP and vaccines said that it is also causing more cases of shingles, which is very painful. They are also updating the booster schedule---because of the lack of long term data they just don't know yet what is truly effective.

As a mom who has seen a lot of changes to vaccines over the years (my oldest is 18, my youngest is arriving this summer), take these recommendations with a grain of salt. You are your child's best advocate. As an example, I had to fight with a doctor a few years ago to get the injectible polio (he thought I was nuts for requesting it and yelled at me), now it is the sole recommended polio vaccine, due to dangers with the oral. A few years ago the rotovirus vaccine was about to be made mandatory when it was withdrawn due to child death from bowel obstructions. My honest ped at the time said it's a great vaccine for 3rd world contries, but in general children in the US don't die from rotovirus. I believe they are now coming out with a new version of this drug--will be interesting to see what happens with that. Hep B used to be given at 2-6 mos., now it is given at birth---unless there is a maternal risk, there's no reason not to wait, it is basically a sexually transmitted disease (bodily fluids, like hiv). You can always wait to have your child vaccinated, or split the vaccines up if you don't want them given all at once, or choose to skip. You are the parent and have the final say.

[moparop]

My older son got the vaccine right on schedule (12 months) and had a slight fever and was grumpy afterwards.

I plan on delaying it to 18 months with #2 because I have heard that it is more effective when given later and I want to spread the shots out more.

[kacaju]

my oldest was a baby when the shot first came out. At the time all our local papers were hyping it up so much... that this was the best thing for WORKING MOTHERS! Their reason was with the shot working mothers didn't need to take time off to care for their sick children.
I was (and still am) a SAHM so I didn't care and didn't vaccinate her.
By the time #2 came, #1 got chicken pox. I decided to wait with the second to see if she'd get it before she started school. Well then one year there was a huge outbreak of chicken pox in our town, everyone seemed to be getting it even kids who had the shot. #2 got it and gave it to our then 6 month old.
So, no need to worry about the shot any more.

[drivencrazy]

All 4 of my kids have had the shot!

My oldest got it right before she went to pre-school because she had to have it in order to go to school. At first I wasn't sure that I wanted her to have it, it was still pretty new, so we had her play with the neighbor girl how had chicken pox......she never got them. So she had the shot.

The only one that had a reaction was the youngest, she must have gotten the shot at 18 months (maybe sooner can't remember the age for sure). But she got one POX on her leg at the shot sight. The doctor took a look at it because that is one side effect that can happen but he had never seen it happen before. It didn't bother her any!

[linda0706]

My DD6 got the vaccine at the recommended time - can't remember how old now. She did not have any reaction.

She DID get chicken pox when she was 5 but it was a very mild case. (seems like half the kids in her school came down with it in a 1-2 month period!)

We just slathered her up with lotion & she was fine. It was not too terribly uncomfortable for her at all. I'm glad we did the vaccination.

[Becky2005]

Let's see my older 2 did not get the shot, my son ended up bringing it home to DD, so she got it before entering school.

My 3rd DS got the shot because it was required at that point to go to school.

My current DS who is 3 has not had the shot yet, if he doesn't have CP by the time he goes to school then he will get it.

My DD's case was much worse than my DS case of CP and I think it is because she was slightly older -- I can't even imagine a teen breaking out in CP how awful that will be (or an adult) because if my kids are like every other adult I know, there is no way they are going to go for booster shots for anything unless they are forced to for work.

[meandtheguys2]

No, we haven't done the CP vaccination. My two oldest caught an average case of chicken pox just like every person I've ever been around. If the youngest doesn't get them by the time he is 12ish. I might consider it. Depends.

[ohiominnie]

I did not...
When the vaccine first came out, my doc recommended against it because it does not offer lifetime immunity. If kids get the chicken pox, they have that lifetime immunity.

The tetanus shot doesn't offer lifetime immunity, but we give this to kids.
The measles shot doesn't offer lifetime immunity, but we give this to kids.

Having chicken pox does not offer lifetime immunity. I had it in 4th grade. And then I had a HORRIBLE case of it when I was in college.

Pre-chicken pox vaccine, thousands of kids each year were hospitalized with chicken pox. It is NOT a "rite of passage" of childhood. HUNDREDS died each year with complications such as flesh eating bacteria and encephalitis.

[ohiominnie]

At least with a real case of CP you are covered for life.
(snip)
A few years ago the rotovirus vaccine was about to be made mandatory when it was withdrawn due to child death from bowel obstructions.

As I said in my last post....you aren't necessarily immune to CP for life just because you had them once.

As for the rotovirus vaccine, there has been some interesting findings about it. I can't write them all here, but if you're interested in hearing some very straight forward, non-biased look at the research on this vaccine and many others, please check out www.pediacast.org You'll have to scroll through the episodes to find all of them that deal with immunizations. :)

[SnowWhite12]

My DD had it at the recommended age. She had no reaction at all. I never considered not giving it to her. I work for the largest school system in TN, and you can NOT attend school here without proof of all required immunizations. If you don't get the shot, you don't go to our public school system. Oh, and by the way, adults can get a booster for the chicken pox shot. My DH did because he had the shot when little, and never got the chicken pox. So he doesn't want to risk catching it from anyone because it can be deadly as an adult.

[pednurse]

I'm a mom and a pediatric nurse. Here's my opinion. My kids were both given the CP shot at 12 months. DD5 just went in for her check-up and got the booster (which they have just recently started recomening). I plan for DS9 to get it at his next check-up. I also had the shot when DS got his first one (I never had it as a child). I will be looking into whether or not adults need a booster at my own next check-up. It does not give 100% immunity to CP, but it GREATLY reduces the severity of it should the child contract it. Having taken care of many children who were hospitalized due to severe complications with CP prior to the vaccine coming along, I do not think it worth the risk to my own children to not be vaccinated and possibly end up with these complications. Complications and occasionally even death can and do occur due to the chicken pox. Therefore I feel that all children should be given the vaccine. It not only helps that child, but also helps prevent the spread of the disease to others. Neither of my children, nor I, had any kind of reaction to the vaccine....and the most common reaction is fever, which is true with just about every other vaccine we give to children. That's my 2 cents.

[ohiominnie]

My DH did because he had the shot when little, and never got the chicken pox. So he doesn't want to risk catching it from anyone because it can be deadly as an adult.


HUH? It came out about 12 yrs ago. I remember b/c dd (almost 13) was just turning 1 when it came out and I had to decide quickly if we'd get it with her 1 yr check up.


I'm not sure if the stats are still true, but about 5 yrs ago, chicken pox (the natural disease) was the #1 killer of children of vaccine preventable diseases.

[momsully]

DS8 and DS5 have both had the shots. DS5 just had a booster at his five year check up as Colorado is requiring the booster for entering Kindergarten. In Colorado I can waive the booster, but if there is a case of chicken pox at school DS would not be allowed to attend if he had not had the booster. We will probably booster DS8 at his next check up.

[pweyl36]

PLEASE - vaccinate your children. There are so many known cases of death and disibility from Chicken Pox (and other common infectious diseases) and virtually no documentable directly from the vaccines. While the vaccine may be new in the US, it was used in Japan with great success for 15 yrs before available here (so we got a defacto experiment in Japanese children). NO vaccines are for life, this is why kids get multiple shots into their college years and people need a tetanus every ten years. The only reason we don't continue to booster adults for all these diseases is that their incidence of exposure is so low after college.

In order for vaccination to eliminate these potential life-threatening disease, everyone needs to participate. Just look at Polio - it was eradicated in the US and is now enjoying a resurgance as people from other countries who don't routinely get the vaccine emmigrate here.

In addition, shingles is seen most often in immune-compromised adults and is a manifestation of a previous (usually childhood) infection. It can be deadly at worst, painful at best. If you never had chickenpox, you can't get shingles. Giving your kid chicken pox via a party doesn't make him/her immune, it makes them a life-long carrier of the virus (albeit a non-contagous one, until the shingles episode).

I know there is a lot of anecdotal evidence about kids getting autism, ADHD, etc from vaccines, but that is all it is. The peer-reviewed medical literature doesn't support this - and it's not some conspiracy. I have nothing to gain except the protection of my kids from infections that are so easily avoidable, but can be so deadly.


I agree,by not giving your children vaccines you are putting my children and everybody elses kids at risk. I my state (de) there is no wavier.No vaccines = no school.

[jodifla]

I agree,by not giving your children vaccines you are putting my children and everybody elses kids at risk. I my state (de) there is no wavier.No vaccines = no school.


People who don't vaccinate put all of us at risk.

[Starr W.]

People who don't vaccinate put all of us at risk.

When I started college many many moons ago, I had to get a measles booster and have the paperwork handed in before I could check in to my dorm. They had a major outbreak the year before I started.

When I had my youngest 6 yrs ago, the hospital checked my records and gave me another booster before I could leave with my son.

[beccalines]

My first son didn't get the shot. I figure, why take this great childhood pastime away? (Just kidding) We homeschool so we aren't required to get the shot for school. We just decided against it. I'd rather just let him get the chicken pox before the virus mutates and really makes things hard for everyone when the immunity from the virus wears off. With our luck, he probably won't get it until then anyway.

[jamesmommy]

People who don't vaccinate put all of us at risk.

Confused here, how can those who choose not to vaccinate put those of us who choose to vaccinate at risk? Isn't that supposed to be the point of the vaccinations, to protect us from that very thing?

Amie

[jodifla]

Confused here, how can those who choose not to vaccinate put those of us who choose to vaccinate at risk? Isn't that supposed to be the point of the vaccinations, to protect us from that very thing?

Amie

It's the pack theory. If everybody immunizes, then it cuts down on a virus getting hold. Chicken pox spreads like wildfire, and because of the very long incubation period, a child get spread it to soccer, scouts, baseball and church before realizing they have it.

Even some people who get the shot will get sick, but they'll have a slight version of the pox.

[barbmouse]

Both of my dks got the shot as babies and both have recently been given the booster.

[beth_cam]

hmmm...when is the booster due? neither of my kids have been given it. My ds is in kindergarten and had a well check up a few months ago with no mention of any shots.

[KerriMc]

I don't know when they have to be re-boosted, but my doctor (who my mom works for) has said to her that kids here (in Ontario at least) are going to need to be reboosted for chicken pox. Just like the MMR they are going to need more than one shot for it to give a stronger immunity.

My oldest had it just before she was 3yrs (didn't give it much earlier around here at that time) and the youngest had it around 18 mos I believe. NO reactions, just the oldest had a red spot, but she sure jumped for the needle even though I put the "magic" cream on her to numb her skin. She is just jumpy around needles ;) About two months ago there was a little outbreak of it at our babysitter's house, but neither of my girls caught it.

As for re-vaccinating, it is like that for a lot of vaccines. I was checked before I got pg to see if my immunity was still strong enough for the measles portion of my MMR I had as a child. It wasn't and I was reboosted for it. So, in terms of worrying about our daughters in the future catching CP, they will likely be able to check them, reboost them, plus as someone said Japan is almost 20 years ahead of us. This gives us vital info for what the future holds about this vaccine.

Kerri

p.s. I had been holding out on oldest dd's vaccine because of the worry about pg later in life. Then a friend of mine sent me a newspaper article about her nephew who was just leaving hospital. He was four years old and had been in the ICU on life support. He developed a bacteria (strepA??) in one of his pox on his legs. They were ready to amputate his legs to save his life, but somehow he managed to pull through. He has been in long term rehabilitation to recover from the terrible effects of his illness. This article from my friend, who is a nurse, was the catalyst for me to get her the shot. You just never know who will end up being that statistic where CP is FAR worse than we could ever imagine!

[robertsmom]

My kids have not had it, they go to school.
You can sign a waiver in almost all states for not giving your a child vaccine. We delay all shots, and some we don't give at all.

Thanks for this. Really. When my diabetic son ends up hospitalized because he came into contact with an un-vaccinated child, I'll think fondly of you. :rolleyes:

[katerkat]

My son hasn't had it. It was offered at 12 months, 18 months and 2 years - I declined. I'd prefer he gets it naturally. I plan on reconsidering if he hasn't gotten them by school-age.

[pigletof4]

What if the vaccince wears off as they get older and then they get sick as an adult? Chickenpox as an adult is horrible!

There is now a booster on top of the original shot that they get as an infant. My dd7 just got it a well child checkup in January.

[kltruck]

Yes- all 3 of my kiddos. I randomly got shingles at age 31 and it was nice to know my kids were immunized. So I couldn't pass chicken pox on to them, and with the immunization they wouldn't ever get shingles as an adult. Its the MMR that I like to delay until they are in preschool.

[ammo]

Yes- all 3 of my kiddos. I randomly got shingles at age 31 and it was nice to know my kids were immunized. So I couldn't pass chicken pox on to them, and with the immunization they wouldn't ever get shingles as an adult. Its the MMR that I like to delay until they are in preschool.

When I came back to this page there was a natural shingles cure ad running at the top of the page. How do they do that?!

[flying_babyb]

Aditonal question:
If I had a very mild cas of the chicken pox can I get it again?

[Bird-Mom]

No, I did not and will not get my children this vaccine.

I agree,by not giving your children vaccines you are putting my children and everybody elses kids at risk. I my state (de) there is no wavier.No vaccines = no school.

I just wanted to point out that this is not true. First off, if you vaccinate, then you should be secure in your choice of believing that the vaxes protect your children. If your children are protected, how are they at risk? Second, Delaware offers two waivers, medical and religious. All states have a medical waiver. Most states, with the exception of West Virginia and Mississippi, offer a religious waiver, and you do not have to be of a specific religion to use it. Eighteen states offer a philosophical waiver.

[4eyedbuzzard]

I was an only child and never had it as a child. I got it as an adult at age 35 and was out of work 2 weeks with up to 106°F fevers with some mild scarring. I was lucky. Adults are 9 times more likely to wind up hospitalized - or worse - from contracting it. Generally pneumonia is the greatest risk. While there is much debate about about immunizing children, I would definitely get immunized as an adult if I had never had the disease as a child.

To those who have had it - YES, you have approximately a 10 to 20% chance of getting it again

Chicken pox and hingles are caused by the same virus(varicella-zoster) in the herpes family, the difference is in the form of attack within the body and whether the virus is contacted via the environment or harbored within the body(latency). http://adam.about.com/reports/Shingles-and-chickenpox-Varicella-zoster-virus.htm

[4eyedbuzzard]

When I came back to this page there was a natural shingles cure ad running at the top of the page. How do they do that?!

The boards banner company software picks up on keywords within pages and targets marketing from their member sponsors. This is happening and will become more frequent with cable TV as well.

Big brother is watching. But it ain't the government - it's Madison avenue. On second thought, what's the difference.:confused3 ;)

[meandtheguys2]

Thanks for this. Really. When my diabetic son ends up hospitalized because he came into contact with an un-vaccinated child, I'll think fondly of you. :rolleyes:

If he is vaccinated, how is he in danger? Perhaps, if you are in such fear of germs in general, your child would be best off homeschooled?

My niece died from a "harmless vaccine." My husband's cousin is deaf because of one. You make your choices, as you have that right, and we will make ours, as we also have the right.

And have you noticed...this:rolleyes: never brings anything positive to a conversation...?

[4eyedbuzzard]

No, I did not and will not get my children this vaccine.



I just wanted to point out that this is not true. First off, if you vaccinate, then you should be secure in your choice of believing that the vaxes protect your children. If your children are protected, how are they at risk? Second, Delaware offers two waivers, medical and religious. All states have a medical waiver. Most states, with the exception of West Virginia and Mississippi, offer a religious waiver, and you do not have to be of a specific religion to use it. Eighteen states offer a philosophical waiver.

There comes a point in an ordered society of lives(not souls) where the physical and medical rights and expectations of the majority of citizens outweigh the philosophical rights of the minority. When religious and/or medical beliefs have a negative effect on the greater common good, that of compromising public health, it is the right of citizenry to DEMAND compliance - regardless of the beliefs of those who wish not to comply.

Just as we mandate laws for sewage treatment, potable water, air quality, etc in part to stop the spread of disease, we also do similarly by trying to innoculate our citizens from disease. This is not a 3rd world country, nor do we live in the ignorance of the past. And though we remain ignorant of many pathologies, we have made great accomplishments in the past 100 years or so. We know the cause of, and can prevent many commonly occuring diseases that have large negative effects on the masses, and cause preventable suffering in large numbers of our citizens. Those who claim some religious or philosophical "right" to expose the majority of citizens to communicable disease and to aid and provide safe-harbor to pathogens which harm us, simply to satisfy their ideology, should be ostracized. They should be banned from the workplace and public areas, and likewise, their children should be banned from public schools. Part of a vaccination program is not just the prevention of the disease in individuals, but the eradication of the disease itself. Polio and Smallpox are prime examples of common devastating diseases that became almost unknown in the latter half of the 20th century due to aggressive vaccination efforts.

While our religious beliefs are varied, and some may say it's "God's will that disease occurs", many more of us tend to say that it's "God's will that we destroy or prevent disease". As a society of humans, we deal with the physical and living - preventing human suffering outweighs ideological insult. A person's soul is their own business. But one's body, from the standpoint that one may use it to harbor and/or spread disease, is not.

My philosophy is that if your philosophy includes allowing preventable disease and human suffering to continue when preventable, then your philosophy sucks. I condemn it.

/rant

[meandtheguys2]

LOL, Your child is not at risk due to the non-vaccination of mine.

What's missing, is the proof that chicken pox needs to be erradicated. I personally don't see the need. Should we attempt to erradicate every bacteria and virus that causes discomfort? I don't think so.

[ohiominnie]

Confused here, how can those who choose not to vaccinate put those of us who choose to vaccinate at risk? Isn't that supposed to be the point of the vaccinations, to protect us from that very thing?

Amie

With any vaccine, there isn't a 100% effectiveness rate. So even if kids ARE vaccinated with, for example, the pertussis vaccine, they could be exposed to someone with pertussis (a non-vaccinated individual) and could still get it. The chances are less, but it's better if EVERYONE gets vaccinated and you don't have those bad cases around ---it's called "herd immunity."

[ohiominnie]

What if the vaccince wears off as they get older and then they get sick as an adult? Chickenpox as an adult is horrible!



Chicken pox as an adult is horrible. I agree. I had it. (my second case of it---my first being in 4th grade)

But all we know of chicken pox as an adult is "non-CP-vaccinated" adults. I wonder what CP as an adult will be like for those who have had the vaccine (at least once)

Hmmmmm....

[ohiominnie]

With any vaccine, there isn't a 100% effectiveness rate. So even if kids ARE vaccinated with, for example, the pertussis vaccine, they could be exposed to someone with pertussis (a non-vaccinated individual) and could still get it. The chances are less, but it's better if EVERYONE gets vaccinated and you don't have those bad cases around ---it's called "herd immunity."


Must add....dh is a pediatrician and I was just telling him about this...
and he said....he just had a 3 1/2 yr who had had ALL of his shots up to date, who had pertussis. He was a pretty sick little boy.

[MommaSnowwhite]

My DD8 did get the shot when she was little - She was exposed in early April to a faimily that had active CP and she came down with a very mild case (3 pox total). I am so glad that she had the shot - the family that exposed her was very sick.

[4eyedbuzzard]

LOL,.! Your child is not at risk due to the non-vaccination of mine.

What's missing, is the proof that chicken pox needs to be erradicated. I personally don't see the need. Should we attempt to erradicate every bacteria and virus that causes discomfort? I don't think so.

LOL, actually, the state isn't. It just moves more slowly. But you're right, what's a little discomfort. I have the right to liberty. Long live polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, and all. A small cost when when "I personally don't see the need." Nothing worth sacrificing indiviual freedom and ideology over.

I say get rid of all this public health nonsense - bring back the good old days - when botulism was a sauce.

[meandtheguys2]

LOL, actually, the state isn't. It just moves more slowly. But you're right, what's a little discomfort. I have the right to liberty. Long live polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, and all. A small cost when when "I personally don't see the need." Nothing worth sacrificing indiviual freedom and ideology over.

I say get rid of all this public health nonsense - bring back the good old days - when botulism was a sauce.

You know, when you stand at the funeral of a baby you loved, the potential of disease just doesn't seem like a huge concern. Pertussis might have made her ill. The shot killed her.

[acpalmer]

Pertussis might have made her ill. The shot killed her.

Pertussis might have killed her as well. Chances are that if she reacted that badly to the vaccine, she would have reacted just as badly to the actual disease.

[ZuZugal]

You know, when you stand at the funeral of a baby you loved, the potential of disease just doesn't seem like a huge concern. Pertussis might have made her ill. The shot killed her.


I'm very sorry for your loss...

[4eyedbuzzard]

Every year some people are killed by seat belts - my best friend was one. Yet every year 100 times that number are saved - including mine once. There are always individual tragedies, which is why we don't judge our collective efforts based on unique occurances. I don't suggest that people don't wear seat belts because of my friend's death, or that that do so because of my survival. I suggest that they do wear them because given the whole of our experience, they have proven to increase their chance of survival.

An analogy: If 10 out of 1000 children are dying of a disease every year and we can prevent 9 of those deaths, but 1 will die from the preventative measures(vaccine) do we vaccinate?

Well, without the vaccine children have a 1% chance of dying. With the vaccine, children have a .2% chance. Where 10 of a 1000 died previously, now only 2 do. Yes, it sucks if you're the one who dies from the "cure." Our world and this life isn't perfect and there are no guarantees, there are always individual exceptions and tragedies. But what is the suggested alternative to trying to give everyone the best overall chance based upon our collective wisdom and experience?

[meandtheguys2]

I'm very sorry for your loss...

Thanks. Our world was turned upside down.

I am thrilled to live in a country that still has individual rights. I also love living in a country where people aren't ostracized fro their choices, or their illnesses. My group of HIV clients would agree, I'm sure. You can't protect yourself from everything. Nor, is it healthy to try. I could choose to ostracize myself, place my family in a bubble, and follow every medical "miracle" that comes along, or I can choose to fully participate in life. I'll take my chances with whole real foods, excercise, laughing, and peace of a shot in the butt any day.

BTW, it doesn't just "suck."

[Bird-Mom]

There comes a point in an ordered society of lives(not souls) where the physical and medical rights and expectations of the majority of citizens outweigh the philosophical rights of the minority. When religious and/or medical beliefs have a negative effect on the greater common good, that of compromising public health, it is the right of citizenry to DEMAND compliance - regardless of the beliefs of those who wish not to comply.

Just as we mandate laws for sewage treatment, potable water, air quality, etc in part to stop the spread of disease, we also do similarly by trying to innoculate our citizens from disease. This is not a 3rd world country, nor do we live in the ignorance of the past. And though we remain ignorant of many pathologies, we have made great accomplishments in the past 100 years or so. We know the cause of, and can prevent many commonly occuring diseases that have large negative effects on the masses, and cause preventable suffering in large numbers of our citizens. Those who claim some religious or philosophical "right" to expose the majority of citizens to communicable disease and to aid and provide safe-harbor to pathogens which harm us, simply to satisfy their ideology, should be ostracized. They should be banned from the workplace and public areas, and likewise, their children should be banned from public schools. Part of a vaccination program is not just the prevention of the disease in individuals, but the eradication of the disease itself. Polio and Smallpox are prime examples of common devastating diseases that became almost unknown in the latter half of the 20th century due to aggressive vaccination efforts.

While our religious beliefs are varied, and some may say it's "God's will that disease occurs", many more of us tend to say that it's "God's will that we destroy or prevent disease". As a society of humans, we deal with the physical and living - preventing human suffering outweighs ideological insult. A person's soul is their own business. But one's body, from the standpoint that one may use it to harbor and/or spread disease, is not.

My philosophy is that if your philosophy includes allowing preventable disease and human suffering to continue when preventable, then your philosophy sucks. I condemn it.

/rant

I absolutely, completely disagree with you. My first responsibility is to MY children, and if I decide not to shoot them full of poisons, then AMEN. Should my personal liberties and religious freedoms (and you are way off base in guessing my philosophy) be taken away, I would move to another country before someone forces me to stick my family with poision.

[Bird-Mom]

With any vaccine, there isn't a 100% effectiveness rate. So even if kids ARE vaccinated with, for example, the pertussis vaccine, they could be exposed to someone with pertussis (a non-vaccinated individual) and could still get it. The chances are less, but it's better if EVERYONE gets vaccinated and you don't have those bad cases around ---it's called "herd immunity."

I just want to point out that the pertussis vax is pretty much a joke. It has a very low conversion rate and is somewhat ineffective. Pertussis will never be erradicated through the use of vaccination. It is endemic. Herd immunity will not prevent "bad cases." How severely a person reacts to disease is more about how healthy they are in the first place. Both vaxed and non-vaxed individuals can carry disease and not appear sick.

FTR, non-vaccinated children are not dirty, filthy and full of disease. They are not threats to society, out to make your vaccinated children sick.

[ohiominnie]

As my dh tells his patients (or rather the parents of his patients).....you have a better chance of getting hit by a truck on the way home from the appointment than you do from having a reaction to the vaccine.

But that doesn't stop (most) people from driving.

:confused3

[Oceana]

Those who claim some religious or philosophical "right" to expose the majority of citizens to communicable disease and to aid and provide safe-harbor to pathogens which harm us, simply to satisfy their ideology, should be ostracized. They should be banned from the workplace and public areas, and likewise, their children should be banned from public schools. Part of a vaccination program is not just the prevention of the disease in individuals, but the eradication of the disease itself. Polio and Smallpox are prime examples of common devastating diseases that became almost unknown in the latter half of the 20th century due to aggressive vaccination efforts.

While our religious beliefs are varied, and some may say it's "God's will that disease occurs", many more of us tend to say that it's "God's will that we destroy or prevent disease". As a society of humans, we deal with the physical and living - preventing human suffering outweighs ideological insult. A person's soul is their own business. But one's body, from the standpoint that one may use it to harbor and/or spread disease, is not.

My philosophy is that if your philosophy includes allowing preventable disease and human suffering to continue when preventable, then your philosophy sucks. I condemn it.

/rant

Its a good thing our nation is based on freedom of religion and not your rant. All people being created equal no matter what!

Denying vaccinations is not just that god intended disease its mostlikly more often its about what is in those vaccines and how they were created and how they were tested

[meandtheguys2]

As my dh tells his patients (or rather the parents of his patients).....you have a better chance of getting hit by a truck on the way home from the appointment than you do from having a reaction to the vaccine.

But that doesn't stop (most) people from driving.

:confused3

True, but everyone makes their own choices of the risks they are willing to take. I wouldn't buy a trampoline, but allow my boys to use the men's room. I wouldn't live by a river but allow my kids to run around the neighborhood. I wouldn't follow any doctor's orders without solid information to confirm, but I allow my boys to play with sticks like swords, and shoot .22's.

We all make our choices depending on our circumstances and our knowledge base. My niece wasn't hit by a car, DH's cousin wasn't hit by a car. My niece died. His cousin is deaf due to vaccines.

[kaysmommie]

Both my children had the vaccine when they turned 12 months old and they had no reaction at all and were perfectly fine. So far they have not had chicken pox either. I sure hope they don't because I am 34 and ahve never had chicken pox. I did get the vaccine though. If I got chicken pox it could be very serious. I feel most vaccinations are neceesary. In the good old days people died from alot of these diseases, lets not bring them back.

[katerkat]

My philosophy is that if your philosophy includes allowing preventable disease and human suffering to continue when preventable, then your philosophy sucks. I condemn it.

Nice, but my philosophy is that I don't know what so many vaccines can do to immune systems in the future. So personally, I choose to not immunize my child with the ones I don't think are as "important." I don't think chicken pox is terrible enough to vaccinate against.

[jodifla]

Nice, but my philosophy is that I don't know what so many vaccines can do to immune systems in the future. So personally, I choose to not immunize my child with the ones I don't think are as "important." I don't think chicken pox is terrible enough to vaccinate against.

Some of the complications you are exposing your children to by not getting the vaccine include viral pneumonia, brain infection and flesh-eating disease.



US Chicken Pox Deaths Plunge after vaccine introduced


http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2005/02/02/chicken-pox-050102.html

[beccalines]

The kindergardern where my MIL teaches had an out breeak of chicken pox in their class of vaccinated children. Almost 3/4th of the class got it. It was a milder form for some, but they still all missed 1-1 1/2 weeks of school.

If I didn't vaccinate my child and something happened I would feel bad.
If I did vaccinate my child and something happened I would feel bad.

You just have to do what you think is best for your child. Some people die from strep or even common colds. We weren't meant to live to 200.

As my mom puts it, "If I can't be 100 and feel like I'm 30, then kill me at 99."

[meandtheguys2]

As my mom puts it, "If I can't be 100 and feel like I'm 30, then kill me at 99."
:) I like your mom!

[erik'smom]

We vaccinated our son and he developed a mild rash and a fever, but it went away within a week. I had the chicken pox and was hospitalized. I missed 1.5 months of school. My DH had a pretty severe case too.

[katerkat]

Some of the complications you are exposing your children to by not getting the vaccine include viral pneumonia, brain infection and flesh-eating disease.

He got coxsackie last year and could have died from dehydration - but we still go to the playground where he caught it. (And the playground where he got pinkeye.) He could have been a flying projectile on several flights as a lap baby. He could have been smothered while co-sleeping. He could drown in a kiddie pool because he's convinced he knows how to swim. (But hey, he gets bonus points for breastfeeding longer than a year. That outta counteract some stuff.)

I'm not trying to make light of things, but we all take different risks with our kids. Not doing some MINOR vaccines is mine. I also don't give him antibiotics unless really necessary and he doesn't eat things with Red 40.

[jodifla]

He got coxsackie last year and could have died from dehydration - but we still go to the playground where he caught it. (And the playground where he got pinkeye.) He could have been a flying projectile on several flights as a lap baby. He could have been smothered while co-sleeping. He could drown in a kiddie pool because he's convinced he knows how to swim. (But hey, he gets bonus points for breastfeeding longer than a year. That outta counteract some stuff.)

I'm not trying to make light of things, but we all take different risks with our kids. Not doing some MINOR vaccines is mine. I also don't give him antibiotics unless really necessary and he doesn't eat things with Red 40.

One of the problems with vaccines is that you're taking risks with ALL of our kids by your actions, or inaction.

[meandtheguys2]

One of the problems with vaccines is that you're taking risks with ALL of our kids by your actions, or inaction.

Excuse me, but haven't you been fussing on another thread about your right to have your parent subject kids (and put people at risk) at WDW to cigarette smoke?:confused3

[katerkat]

One of the problems with vaccines is that you're taking risks with ALL of our kids by your actions, or inaction.

:confused3 I was under the impression that children who have been vaccinated against chicken pox will get a mild case, if anything, if exposed to a child without the vaccine with chicken pox. That's one of the benefits being touted of the vaccine.

Children who go to the playground with communicable diseases put my child - all children - at risk. Russ landed in the ER from his bout of coxsackie. But I can't ban all kids from the playground - I can only take care of mine.

And hey - you've been in the lap baby debates. Lap babies put everyone around them at risk because they will be a projectile in heavy turbulence.

[jodifla]

Excuse me, but haven't you been fussing on another thread about your right to have your parent subject kids (and put people at risk) at WDW to cigarette smoke?:confused3



Yes. So?

Edited to add: I hardly think smoking in the great outdoors is a danger to anybody but the most sensitive asthmatics, and even then, I'm pretty skeptical how these folks manage to make it through the day given their alleged reactions to outside triggers.

[jodifla]

:confused3 I was under the impression that children who have been vaccinated against chicken pox will get a mild case, if anything, if exposed to a child without the vaccine with chicken pox. That's one of the benefits being touted of the vaccine.

Children who go to the playground with communicable diseases put my child - all children - at risk. Russ landed in the ER from his bout of coxsackie. But I can't ban all kids from the playground - I can only take care of mine.

And hey - you've been in the lap baby debates. Lap babies put everyone around them at risk because they will be a projectile in heavy turbulence.

Like that's ever actually happened.

Interesting argument though.

[ZuZugal]

I'm not trying to make light of things, but we all take different risks with our kids. Not doing some MINOR vaccines is mine. I also don't give him antibiotics unless really necessary and he doesn't eat things with Red 40.

One of the problems with vaccines is that you're taking risks with ALL of our kids by your actions, or inaction.

I also take the "herd immunity" position when it comes to vaccines, and I think that children should be vaccinated, but I think also believe katerkat has some good points. (I think I remember you from another thread about Aspergers maybe?) Anyway, if her son gets immunized against the majority of the deadly diseases, but not chicken pox, I don't think it is our place to judge. I'm sure as a family they discussed/debated whether or not to vaccinate. (ie: didn't make the choice lightly.)

I also do not think that vaccines have any connection to autism, but I certainly cannot be sure. We all have our own beliefs and have ways to back those beliefs. We all want to protect our children, and we go about it in different ways.

[Mandygrrl]

My DD got the vaccine when she was a year old. She didn't have a negative reaction to it. I relied on her pediatrician's advice to get the vaccine.

[flying_babyb]

wait!!
If your child has had a vacine and another child hasnt, YOUR child whos been vacinated wouldnt be at risk. So why are we arguing? the only children who would be at risk are other unvacinated kids.

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

Yes. So?

Edited to add: I hardly think smoking in the great outdoors is a danger to anybody but the most sensitive asthmatics, and even then, I'm pretty skeptical how these folks manage to make it through the day given their alleged reactions to outside triggers.

With a lot of medications, that's how they make it through a day. But that was covered on the thread too, not that you paid attention.

My kids aren't vaccinated, DS had an adverse reaction so they recommended delaying the girls. When DD#2 started having unexplained seizures on top of everything else she has going on her pulmonologist said no to any vaccines. Yup, her doctor said not to vaccinate her or her sister and this is at a top children's hospital.

[jodifla]

wait!!
If your child has had a vacine and another child hasnt, YOUR child whos been vacinated wouldnt be at risk. So why are we arguing? the only children who would be at risk are other unvacinated kids.

except for, then the unvaccinated child becomes a typhoid Mary of sorts, spreading to many, many others during the long incubation period before you know he has the virus, including infants who don't get the shots until they are older.

[jodifla]

With a lot of medications, that's how they make it through a day. But that was covered on the thread too, not that you paid attention.

My kids aren't vaccinated, DS had an adverse reaction so they recommended delaying the girls. When DD#2 started having unexplained seizures on top of everything else she has going on her pulmonologist said no to any vaccines. Yup, her doctor said not to vaccinate her or her sister and this is at a top children's hospital.

Oh, I paid attention to that thread. I just don't believe that everyone and their brother has these extreme illnesses.

Not saying YOUR children don't. And of course, you shouldn't vaccinate if doctors say your children are not good vaccine candidates.

But MOST kids are good candidates for the vaccines, and parents ignore their doctor's advice on the subject.

[emh1129]

Only read the first page of responses..
No, we don't do the chicken pox vaccine. DH and I both felt it made no logical sense (after researching the topic) and our pediatrician agrees.

[cajunpeach]

I opted to get the vaccine for DD when she was 18 months. She came down with the chicken pox, she was very lethargic and ran a high temp (103 but she is normally a 97.6 kinda girl)for several days . I felt terrible (and still do now and it's been 9 years) that I purposefully inflicted it on her. I can still picture how unresponsive and lethargic she was. I had the cp when I was in elementary school and again when I was 17. Although it was a horrible episode when I was 17, it was not nearly as bad as my poor dd as far as the temp and lethargia....If I had the choice again, I would let her take her chances and get it the old fashioned way. :laundy:

That's my 2 cents for whatever it's worth (stepping down off soap box:lmao: )

[MindyLuvsMickey]

We did vaccinations but in a delayed sense. We did all vaccination up until we got to the MMR. We broke MMR up into three different shots. When it came time for his 18 month shots (including his Chicken Pox vaccine), we delayed a few months. We waited until he was 2 years old.

Had I thought about it a little more thoroughly, I probably would have delayed all of his vaccinations until he was a little older. Fortunately, he had no adverse reactions.

[Pennykay]

I just want to add that it is so easy to say that "the benefits out way the risks" or that you should "vaccinate for herd immunity", etc. until you have a child with a major reaction. Those of you that are so judgmental should take a step back and think for a minute if you're views would change if you're child were harmed or God forbid die from a vaccination. Vaccinations do harm children. That is why their is a government program to compensate vaccine injured children. Thank God in the US every state has some form of exemption. You're child cannot be forced to have their immunizations to attend school. It is a parents job to research this issue and decide for themselves what is best for you're child. It is not the governments job to force everyone to inject their child with whatever they decide is necessary. Do you know that most of the members of the FDA, the people who approve these drugs/immunizations, are on the payrolls of.....or own stock in the drug companies? How can we trust that the FDA is looking out for the consumers when they are profiting if they approve the drugs/vaccinations?

[TheDizMom]

Can we not have a discussion about this subject without it getting nasty and judgemental. This is a personal choice for every parent. It belongs to them and them alone. The good thing about this and the other thread is that you can do some UNSCIENTIFIC research by talking to parents who have been there. You can get honest opinions that are not in some study that, yes, very often are payed for by the companies who make the vaccines and so may not be confidence building. It helps to talk to parents and make a decision based on what they have experienced. There is no doctor telling you you have to do it. You then have to take those experiences and decide what is right for your child. I made the decision to have them because I wanted to make sure my kids were protected, something I couldn't do for the child I lost. There was no choice for her as she was stillborn, but I wanted to give my kids protection from what I could to try and make sure I never lost another child. That is my experience and I am not saying I am right or wrong, only that I felt it was the right thing for my children. If you feel it isn't the right thing for you then so be it. It doesn't make you a bad parent just a concerned one, just like my decision doesn't make me a good parent just a concerned one. I will say that with many parents opting out some diseases we thought were irradicated in this country are coming back. There were several cases of polio in Minnesota last summer and if I am remembering correctly not all the children survived. There are some serious pros and cons and it is up to every parent to determine what they are willing to risk and what they aren't. Either way having that choice is why we live in this country.

[maidenfairy]

Both my boys received all their shots on time for the most part. My youngest had some delay due to ear infections. I'm all about vaccinating, but it is a parents personal choice. My kids had no bad reactions, it didn't effect them. Maybe i'm lucky but i think I'm with the majority of people out there. If we'd had a family history of a bad reaction I probably would have had different thoughts on the subject. To each their own.

[MommaPooh217]

My DD7 and DD4 both were vaccinated with the Chicken Pox vaccine. DD7 got a mild case of chicken pox and DD4 never has contracted Chicken Pox. Obviously the vaccine was'nt around for my older kids older DS 23 and DD 20 so they both caught them . DS then 5 caught them from a little boy in his K class and DD then 2 caught them 2 weeks to the day after DS. The were both literally covered in chicken pox, they had them in their mouths, in their ears ,between their toes poor things. Now I'm sorry I did'nt get pictures of them to show them what they looked like lol. I can laugh about it now but then I was worried I might catch them because although I thought I remebered having them my Mom could'nt remember if I had had them or not :scared1:.


Blessed Be,
Tina