House of Pox!

That reminds me, I really should get Dan vaccinated!

Pass. I know nothing about it (other than many paeds recommend it and I can't afford all the time off work if Daniel had to be in quarantine - already been there done that for a chicken pox scare)

Here we go ... (from IMAC)

A vaccine given by injection is available for those aged over 9 months. Most people (95%) who have this vaccine will not get chicken pox, but if someone who has had the vaccine does get chickenpox, it is usually very mild. The vaccine costs approximately $60-$90 per dose. Also, if given within 3-5 days of exposure, the vaccine may prevent, or will modify, the severity of chickenpox.

How long does the protection from the vaccine last?

Studies in Japan show protection more than 20 years after immunisation. In the USA where the vaccine has not been in use as long, follow-up studies also show that almost all vaccinated individuals remain immune.



Edited by Flissty

The official word on the vaccinations is 10 years but like Flissty said the trials in Japan are showing immunity at 20yrs+

We only got Rowan done because the studies also indicate that it may help prevent shingles too (even if she does get the pox) as shingles are not likely to develop from the cultured strain used in the vaccine - and DH's family is bad for that so I didn't want to risk it.

Oh I feel for you Bizzy!

We were hoping the kids got them from DC before I started back at work but alas no. So fingers crossed when they do get them it's during school holidays

rianna08 wrote: Yep its done at 18 months old. Even though Jackson has them we will still get him vaccinated Were up to day 5 now and we are still finding new spots coming up. Is that normal??

How come you are going to get him vaxed when he has already had them? I doubt he will be eligible, and as CP stays in the body forever, the vax will just add to that

Edited by kellie

rianna08 wrote: The Dr said that its still advisable to vaccinate. Albiet we didnt think to question him cos we were preoccupied with Jackson and his pox, so not sure of his reasoning behind it.

On the immunise.health.gov.au site it says
"This Program commenced on 1 November 2005. It provides free varicella vaccine for all children at 18 months of age and a catch-up program for children aged 10-13 years who have not received varicella vaccine or who have not had the disease."

Im not 100% if that reads as only the 10-13yrs who have not had the disease, or everyone.

rianna08 wrote: Hmm good to know, thanks. Will have another chat to the Dr about it.

No problem
I hope your little man is doing okay

Oh dear Bizzy . 2 down, one to go huh? We'll come visit, pox don't scare us (anymore )...

kellie wrote: Make sure you take yourself to some chicken pox parties then if you vaccinate your kiddies for CP. The best way to avoid shingles is exposure to CP.

That's not the case, once you've had chicken pox, the virus lies dormant and can present as shingles at any given stage in the future. If you've been vaccinated against the virus (varicella zoster) then you won't develop chicken pox or shingles. That's assuming the vaccine is effective, I'm not sure what % of people contract the virus after vaccination, but I do know that when the vaccine was added to the schedule in Australia, chicken pox rates dropped dramatically.


Rianna08 - yep, that's normal unfortunately . My older three had all their spots by about day 3, but lil miss had a cracker of a dose and was still getting new spots after a week. She ended up in hospital as we couldn't get her temp down and the doc there said it can take as long as 10 days for all the spots to come out .

But if the child has been vaccinated against pox, they also won't get shingles - both are caused by the same virus.

Oh I see what you mean, the *parents* should expose themselves to the pox. Sorry, misread that.