Sam

At what age group should I expect them to get it? I dont remember when I had it, and what should I be prepared to do.

happy2bg33k

Depending on where you live, they might not have to get them at all. There's a chicken pox vaccine now and most schools are requiring children to have them as part of regular immunizations.

mamab

The thing about the chicken pox vaccine is that it has to be renewed every so often, it's not something that's going to keep your child from ever getting them. And, yes the immunization is required for your child to go to public school, UNLESS you have a religious waiver form.

When, or IF, your child gets chicken pox is dependent totally upon their being exposed to them. There aren't any particular "times" that your child should have them by. The only thing is, the older you get, the more likely you'll develop shingles later in life (which is a form of chicken pox, from what I've been told).

I had chicken pox when I was about 6 or 7, if I remember correctly. I had them pretty bad, too. Just be prepared to tell your child NOT to scratch (which spread them), and to cover them with either calamine lotion or oatmeal lotion to help with the itching. IF your child does get them, the doctor will be able to tell you how to handle them.

jmeyer3131

My daughter got the vaccine when she was four. I hadn't really thought about the vaccine at that time until a neighbor got chicken pox and had Bells Palsy as a side effect.

When my daughter was 10 she got chicken pox. It was a very mild case. The vaccine isn't totally protective, but is supposed to help prevent severe cases.

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Janet
www.CanIChangeALife.blogspot.com

tater03

Yes, the vaccine is supposed to make the virius much less severe when they get them. Both my sons have the vaccine but so far we have not had them yet. They have not been exsposed to anyone that has had them but I am sure it is coming.

Sam

Thats great info, I was not aware of the vaccination, which I think makes it alot easier. But does it completely prevent it or makes it minimal?

jmeyer3131

For some kids it will prevent it. Others. like my daughter, will get it anyway but it should be minimal. I think the overal prevention rate is around 70%, so not as high as some vaccines (unless it's gotten better) but it's worth it because your child is unlikely to get a bad case of chicken pox if he/she has had it.

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Janet
www.CanIChangeALife.blogspot.com

mamab

According to a website I was checking out, the vaccine does NOT provide permanent protection, and they will need a booster 4-6 years after the first shot. It also said that the vaccine was not 100% effecive, but does cause the sickness to be much less than it would have been without it.

We had our first son get all of his immunizations, the youngest got everything up to his 2 year boosters. Funny, my younger son, not having had all the shots, has been healthier than the one who DID get them all.

Stephanie2377

Before immunizations, it seems that most kids got the chicken pox in their preschool years. Now, they can get it at any time due to the immunization. For many children, it will truly prevent. For others, it lessens the severity. I have seen a few children who were critically ill due to a severe case of chicken pox. None of these children had their chicken pox vaccination. My son has his, and I certainly hope he avoids ever getting it!

fldasha

Chicken pox vaccines do not guarantee that your kids will not get any in the future. These vaccines do not really prevent rather heightens the immune system to prevent a full blown infection.