Can't Find Varicella Vaccine Anywhere!

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nurseprnRN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 5,115 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.:uhoh3:

x_factor

520 Posts

I'm going to speak with them tomorrow morning before class. This is definitely very frustrating, for sure.

ProudMom511

129 Posts

Where are you?

x_factor

520 Posts

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.

Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.

Sounds like it might be easier to find someone who has an active chicken pox infection. There is always the pre-licked lollipop route.:p

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 5,115 Posts

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?

Jolie, BSN

6,375 Posts

Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
Sounds like it might be easier to find someone who has an active chicken pox infection. There is always the pre-licked lollipop route.:p

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.

Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.
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.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/12/us-chickenpox-lollipops-idUSTRE7AB0SW20111112

Jolie, BSN

6,375 Posts

Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
Well no ****. It was a joke referencing the following story and not a serious solution.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/12/us-chickenpox-lollipops-idUSTRE7AB0SW20111112

You could have performed the public service of warning people that this doesn't work. Unless, of course, you sell snake oil and lollipops.

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.

http://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/about/transmission.html

The virus can also be spread from people with shingles by contact with the blisters, causing chickenpox.

Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

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.

Jolie, BSN

6,375 Posts

Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
Not so. Varicella is spread by contact as well, according to the CDC.

http://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/about/transmission.html

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?

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