I'm starting to run into a real big problem. I'm 27, and never had the chickenpox, and I cannot find ANYWHERE that offers the adult vaccination. My school wants me to have the vaccines done before our clinical rotations start in February. And I'm all for it as well, since I'd rather not take the risk of serious complications that can arise from an adult contracting it. On top of this, you are not allowed to miss ANY clinical days or you are dropped from the program, so if I were to contract it, that'd be the end of me being in the nursing program.
I've tried my doctor, nearly every health unit in the phone book, random doctor's offices all throughout the phone book, and I've called the hospital and was given more phone numbers of places that may carry it, and I get the same answer everytime, "nope, sorry, we don't carry it". I went through this with my meningitis shot too, NO ONE offered it to adults here, but I finally found a place that did (for $150) and it had to be ordered. I finally got that one done. However, even that clinic does not carry the chickenpox (Varicella) vaccine for adults.
Any suggestions?? I swear, I feel like I may have to jump states just to find a doctor that'll offer it!
i'd go to your nursing school, tell them how hard you have tried to get this, and ask them what they suggest; perhaps there's a connection they can make with some clinical placement.
fwiw, i had heard that there was a shortage in the country... but hey, you knew that.
In south Louisiana. I just found the contact info for some more health units that are a few hours away. I'll give them a call in the morning and hopefully they may offer it.
i think the idea was to avoid having the disease as an adult, which is quite reasonable when you consider that it's possible to be very, very sick with permanent sequelae that way.
op, it is remotely possible that you had a subclinical case as a child and may be immune anyway. can you get a titre?
Sounds like it might be easier to find someone who has an active chicken pox infection. There is always the pre-licked lollipop route.
Urban myth. Chicken pox is a respiratory virus, transmitted by airborne route. Licking a lollipop, while gross and disgusting, won't cause a case of chicken pox.
Urban myth. Chicken pox is a respiratory virus, transmitted by airborne route. Licking a lollipop, while gross and disgusting, won't cause a case of chicken pox.
Well no ****. It was a joke referencing the following story and not a serious solution.
Urban myth. Chicken pox is a respiratory virus, transmitted by airborne route. Licking a lollipop, while gross and disgusting, won't cause a case of chicken pox.
Not so. Varicella is spread by contact as well, according to the CDC.
OP what about an MMRV booster? That would contain the varicella vaccine. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to get a booster of the others, since it's probably been over 20 years since your last dose.
The virus can also be spread from people with shingles by contact with the blisters, causing chickenpox.
from your source:
Transmission
Chickenpox is a very contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The virus spreads easily from people with chickenpox to others who have never had the disease or received the chickenpox vaccine. The virus spreads in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread by touching or breathing in the virus particles that come from chickenpox blisters.
Chickenpox can also be spread from people with shingles. Varicella-zoster virus also causes shingles. A person with shingles can spread the virus to others who have never had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine. In these cases, the exposed person might develop chickenpox.
How does licking a lollipop sent via the mail bring one into contact with active blisters of chicken pox or shingles?
nurseprnRN, BSN, RN
1 Article; 5,116 Posts
i'd go to your nursing school, tell them how hard you have tried to get this, and ask them what they suggest; perhaps there's a connection they can make with some clinical placement.
fwiw, i had heard that there was a shortage in the country... but hey, you knew that.