Study calls for chickenpox booster shot

[RSS]

Some Montgomery County residents are starting to hear rumblings about the need of a booster shot for chickenpox. Spring Creek Pines resident Kerry Eubank, president of The Woodlands Mothers of Multiples group, said she first learned about the booster shot at a recent group meeting.http://feeds.chron.com/~r/houstonchronicle/nbwoodlandsnews/~4/151751485

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[Wilson]

Speaking of... if any of you knows a child that comes down with CP (preferrably not from the vaccine, but the naturally occuring virus), please post here?

[FamilyGal]

My kids have all had the virus. But, that was years ago.

[Wilson]

It's getting harder and harder to come by every year..

[cajtex]

Our pediatrician recommended a booster shot for our 15 year old daughter on our last visit. She was already getting 3 other shots though, so we decided to wait until another visit.

Wilson - are you thinking of a chicken pox party? Wouldn't that make your child susceptible to shingles later in life? Not to mention I can't imagine making my child sick on purpose, especially when there's a vaccine.

Here's an article I found answering my own question -
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/44/1739_50887.htm

[Wilson]

My kids are not vaccinated and we use exemptions in school. My oldest had reactions with 24 hours of receiving certain vaccines, as a baby, on 3 separate occasions and has possibly permanent, long-term neurological damage as a result (which was documented last year by Texas Children's Hosptial). I'd rather they get chickenpox when they are young, if I were to have a choice.

Also, there are reports out there that suggest that the varicella vaccine may increase the risk of shingles.

[TXrose]

When my youngest was vaccinated, the peditrican told me that they would probably require a booster shot at sometime but all the studies had not been completed. Having been through chicken pox at age 15, you don't want to wish that on anyone whose older. My oldest had it at 5 and it wasn't too bad for him, but every kid is different some at 5 may have very bad cases.

[Butterfly2005]

That makes me ill. If that's the point of view behind it then why stop there? Why not get them together to share measels, whooping cough, heck bring polio back? Makes as much sense. If you want them to get it now then go ahead and give them heart diesase, arthritis, too.

Doesn't make sense.

[eaglesprings]

It is somewhat hard to argue against a vaccine when you hear of someone's child dying due to a sickness like chicken pox. But, dang! I mean, I had chicken pox as a kid, later had mumps.

Now, they need a booster.

I can't help but think a lot of this is marketing rather than public safety. It seems to me certain politicians try to promote vaccines before they have really been tested (such as Rick Perry and the recent HPV vaccine).

The polio vaccine was a wonderful, and I mean, wonderful! vaccine. But, now pharmecuticals and politicians seem to be using that as an excuse. Making a profit. It's almost a rallying call to aprove ANY shot!

And, they ignore the kiddos who were hurt by such shots.

It just doesn't make sense! We're told by the state to get the vaccine, then told (unexpectedly) years later, you got to have a booster. Sounds like they really didn't know what they were doing!

But, the shots are required, unless you "opt out" for religiious or moral reasons.

I'm not sure that "opt out" thingee is the scape goat they intend it to be. "They" are mandating vaccines that they don't know much about, yet. Many families won't opt out, then if the kiddos develop problems, they will scratch their heads wondering why. Some will figure it out.

[TXrose]

You get a DT (Diptheria/Tetnus) booster every 10 years.
I don't feel the Chicken pox booster is unexpected. When it first came out it was said that more studies needed to be made, but there probably would be the need for a booster. I did a lot of reading before I gave it to my youngest, so I'm not suprised by the announcement that there is to be a booster. I do remember on the commercials they even said in the disclaimer that a booster may be needed.

[FamilyGal]

I have always just gotten vaccines for my children, with no questions asked. I just figured the doctors and researchers knew more than me and I wasn't going to question it.

With the recent PPV vaccine debate, I read a lot about it and decided I would NOT get it for my pre-teen. Not until at least more time had past and more research had been done. It was just too new to really know the side effects. And the KNOWN of side effects (the percentages were too high for me to gamble) were enough to scare me away for awhile as well.

When I was younger, I was much more naive about the pharmaceutical industry. Now that I feel I am supporting them a lot financially and depend on my health for it, I am not nearly as naive.

[Wilson]

I don't need to explain it any further.

[rusti]

My dd had chicken pox when she was 3 months old. This was right before the shot was made available. When she was 6 she got shingles (quarantined at TX Children's) for 4 days, morphine drip. It was very painful for her. My ds got the vaccine and has been around kids and his sister (with the shingles) and never caught the pox. My dh got his second round of chicken pox when dd got shingles. He had them for 13 DAYS and it was extremely painful for him too (and me :). My ds never got the pox from that either.

I really believe the vaccine works but I also believe it is the parent's choice to make that decision.

[eaglesprings]

Since the kids all had chicken pox vaccines, I'll get the booster.

But, I'm agreeing wholeheartedly about waiting on the HPV vaccine. Or, is it PPV? I get my medical jargon confused.

[FamilyGal]

My dh got his second round of chicken pox when dd got shingles.

I had it twice as well. Everyone says you can only get it once, but I know several people who had it twice. I think it depends on the severity of the outbreak.

HPV or PPV? I don't remember now that you asked...lol

[baby duck]

It's HPV.

Several of my family members have had HPV, but I still would not have done the vaccine with Little Bit if she was that age group. I'm one of those that prefers new things to be used for a little while before I will try it myself. Doesn't matter what we are talking about; I don't care how safe testing says something is. I'm cynical I guess.

I considered going no vax with Little Bit, but her birth circumstances have us traveling a different path. Wilson is not the first person I have heard about who have a family history of bad reactions to vaccines, and I would have definitely opted out in her position, too.

[FamilyGal]

I'm one of those that prefers new things to be used for a little while before I will try it myself.

ITA!!

[Butterfly2005]

I'm all for parent's right to choose. But I just can't understand those "parties" where they make the kids get sick on purpose.

[Wilson]

You are the only one that's mentioned this. Assume all you want.

[Butterfly2005]

Actually Wilson someone mentioned it and I was replying to that. So ASSUME all you want.

[Wilson]

If someone else mentioned it, I am clearly mistaken.

[TXrose]

I carry HPV. I had pre cancer of the cervix because of this virus I got from my ex-hubby. Although, I'm not completely sold on the vaccine, I do know how serious this could be. My pap smear went from abnormal to dysplasia in 4 weeks time, by 5 weeks when they LEEP was done ( they remove the affected area but not the whole cervix) the biopsy was severe dysplasia. Now the Doc said in 6 months it would have been cancer, I have my exams every year and he said it shouldn't move that fast. I had to go through pap smears every 3 months for 2 years before I was considered cured. Although, I am considered cured, it can still come back at anytime, since I am way passed having kids and I have done the LEEP, now if it comes back they will do a modified hysteretomy.

HPV can be very serious, but if you get your exams on a regular basis things can be detected. I'm still on the fence about giving the shot to young girls. I didn't like what Perry did, that is a parental decision, not a governmental decision. It's not like chicken pox, small pox or diptheria.

My GYN is all for the vaccine, but the Family doc says it's expensive and most insurances aren't paying for it at this time. He doesn't recommend it.

[FamilyGal]

I went through the same TxRose. I'm glad to be done with the frequent pap smears and haven't worried about it in a long while. I, too, am done with having children, so if it reappears, I will have a hysterectomy as well. Although I would like to avoid that as long as possible!

[rusti]

TxRose and FG - me too. In fact mine was so bad they said I probably wouldn't ever have children (now 2 kids later) the symptoms are starting to show up again. I am back on the 6 month schedule, but so far all has been ok.

As far as the shot, my OB said my dd should have it, especially since all I have been through (and my sister too)- it has been out for a while, we are just hearing more about it. I am still on the fence though.

[TXrose]

My family doctor said it's $100/shot and it's a series of 3 shots. They won't even order it without a deposit. Not sure about the GYN. But my insurance won't pay for it.