Should I Get the Varicella Vaccine (Chicken Pox)

The adult form of chicken pox is called shingles. It is very painful for adults and can lead to several complications that could end you up in the hospital. I would air on the side of caution and go ahead and get the vaccine.

The way I see it, if you're going to get it, you will, if you're not, then you're not. Doctors have always told "me" you can't get them twice...well, I DID, as a young child about 4, and again at 13. My oldest daughter had the chicken pox before they ever came out with the shot and still got shingles later when she was 14. My middle daughter had the shot at 3? and still got the chicken pox at 5?. Doesn't make sense to me. I don't like all those new shots they have come up with. Chicken pox don't usually seem to be too big of a deal; although in SOME cases, it can be deadly, it is rare that it gets that bad to worry about. I stopped taking the flu shot because every time I got it, I had a severe flu afterwards and seemed to be sick all winter. I'd rather take my chances...the way God intended.

Have you talked with your doctor? I was told it wasn't effective in people over 13 and they recommended I not get it.

I would definitely get the vaccine. My three children and I all have gotten the vaccine and it was a good decision. Why suffer with chicken pox and the itching and pain and possible scarring if you don't have to? Plus, it helps to insure you won't get shingles when you are much older. Shingles is a re-awakening of the virus and it is painful. Besides, if you are exposed to chicken pox, when is it ever going to be convenient to have them? I'd go for it.

Hi L.,
I am in the same boat as you, so I went ahead and got the vaccine. With 5 kids, the last thing I need is to be down for the count with a terrible illness. I had no side effects from the shot.

Good Luck!

E.

I was in the same boat, and got the vaccine about two years ago at age 34 because my boss at the time came down with Shingles. It was not painful to get the shot, and better than the alternative.

Did I read correctly that you have been tested and are NOT immune? If you are not immune, I'd say definitely get the vaccine.

My 21 month old just had them. My husband never had them, but it looks like he must have an immunity anyways (his mom never had them and had 3 kids with them). But, if you are testing to not be immune - definitely get them. It's a scary thing for adults. You can get scary things like brain infections and stuff!

I would research it a lot more and question your dr.
My daughter received the vaccination as an infant and still ended up with the chicken pox while she was in treatment for leukemia. Thus was hospitalized. We questioned why she still ended up with the chicken pox when she had the vaccination. We were told that the vac. doesn't cover all forms of the chicken pox.

Good luck!

I did not vaccinate my 2 year old.. I hope she gets chicken pox as a young child..

However if she makes it to age 10 or 12 without the pox.. I will get her vaccinated.

In young children chicken pox is pretty mild... in adults it can be very serious..

I would get the vaccine.

Avoid getting the shingles down the road, get the vaccine now. I wish I had that option but had them as a child many years ago. My Grandfather had shingles and it was very painful for him.

S.

Get the vaccine. So many people know so many people that had it and got through it, that we forget it can be fatal. That is the reason the vaccine was invented, to prevent this potentially fatal illness.

Why not protect yourself. I got the vaccine in 1995 when I was 27 after my 30 year old brother almost died from them. My brother went into septic shock and was in a coma for 3 months because of the Chicken Pox, so needless to say I immediately went out and got the shot. Back then they weren't sure how long it lasted so I don't know if I'm still immune or not! Good luck!

L. - there are pros and cons for and against getting vaccinated. Personally I am for getting any vaccines you may need to protect your family. Any additives you get from the vaccine are nothing compared to what your body goes through having to deal with the illness. Also, it is much quicker and cheaper to get the vaccine than it is to lose time from work, pay for Dr's appt's & medications etc, not to mention the fact that you could get your children sick and you are unable to care for them while you are sick. Given that so many people are not vaccinating their kids there are now more cases of chicken pox etc going around so there would be more chance of you contracting it.

Good luck with your decision.

D

my ex was exposed to chicken pox every time the kids had them and never got them so the last time his daughter got them we asked the dr and he said if he hadn't caught them by now he never will. so if you have an immunity to them you don't need the shot. and with my 3 older kids they had them 7 times between all of them, this is why dr said if he hadn't gotten them he probably will never get them.

Hi there, I was in the same boat, I was around people all the time when I was young and never had the chicken pox. When I was in my 20's, I was exposed again and was horrified that I was about to get them. I did not get them, later I had my doctor check me, he told me my blood says I DID have them when I was young.. ( I can assure you I did not ) somehow I was immune , probably by being around it. I therefore do not need the vacination. You are probably fine.
Good luck, A.