Varicella Questions...

momof2nurse · Mar 22, 2008

You might want to ask the doctor.

I had chicken pox when I was younger, but still needed the shot and only got one....

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2008

They have changed the amount of Varicella shots one is to get.

They use to do just one immunization shot for Varicella. But after studies they realized that many who were immunized would end up with the Chicken Pox anyway.

They recently (about a year ago or so, maybe two years ago) changed the protocol to one immunization followed by a booster.

How is this vaccine administered?

The chickenpox vaccine is a shot, given in the fatty tissue.

Who should get this vaccine?

Chickenpox vaccine is recommended for the following:

All children younger than age 13 years (one dose at 12-15 months and a second dose at age 4-6 years);
Everyone age 13 years and older who has never had chickenpox (two doses, given 4-8 weeks apart);

Anyone missing a dose at the recommended times should get the shot at their next visit to their doctor or clinic.

Who recommends this vaccine?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) have all recommended that children receive this vaccine.

My oldest daughter was scheduled to have the vaccine (she's now 15) but contracted a NASTY case of chicken pox that landed her in the hospital (she was 2). She didn't need that vaccine since she had contracted the actual illness. Nor did she need the booster when the protocol was changed for the same reason, she had contracted the actual illness.

My youngest daughter received the Varicella vaccine, and EXACTLY a year later got a pretty bad case of Chicken Pox. In the few years since that time, the pedi office was telling me she needed a booster Varicella, that studies indicated that people needed the booster because they would still contract the chicken pox even after having the vaccine, everytime she was in the office for a well visit. I kept reminding them that she had one Varicella and had the actual illness too. They checked her records and the doc agreed that since she had the initial vaccine and then an actual case of chicken pox she no longer needed that booster.

This past January, my hubby took the younger one in for her yearly checkup. he called with the info on the doc visit and said and she got her chicken pox shot..I was PO;d beyond belief. I went off. Called the docs office and told them i wanted the doc to call me back immediatly explained my issue (office was about to close). she called back and I asked WHY did you give her that booster. Doc replied, studies indicated that ..blah blah blah, and the schedule of the vaccine has been changed to the initial one and a booster. I AGAIN told her she HAD the initial shot AND she HAD the chicken pox a year later. Doc put me on hold and can back on the line apologizing profusly. She said I was right there was no need for her to have that booster. That the info in the chart about her having the actual illness was overlooked. I was just concerned with her having some side effect or whatever since she didnt need that booster. Doc assured me that no adverse reactions would occur from having the initial vaccine, the actual disease and a booster. But she did add that "that kid will NEVER get the chicken pox again"

Sorry about getting off track. But yes, 2 shots are now the protocol for Varicella.

look-4-miracles · Apr 7, 2008

So I have my second shot on April 21st...how long until I can have my titers redone to have the results show that I have the antibodies?

The nursing office is telling me I have to have the results before classes start on May 5th...is that even possible? :bugeyes: