Chicken Pox Outbreak

We recieved a recorded message from Riverdell Elementary school stating that there is a chicken pox outbreak and they wanted us to make sure that every child gets a chicken pox vaccination shot, if they haven't receive one yet. Also to keep an eyes on your child's temperature, red spots on belly, and stuff. Did you get that phone call today, too?

 

Interesting considering most children have received the vaccine. Why then the outbreak and concern?

 

My first thought exactly. The question is how in the world did the kids got chicken pox even the school reviewed all of the kids' vaccination record and let them in if meet all shot requirement in the beginning of the school year? Also my question is does Varicella really work?

 

Yes. We got the call too tonight.

 

My understanding about the vaccine is that you can still get the chicken pox, just not as severe as if you hadn't had the shot. I'm not sure, is that vaccine mandatory?

 

<cough> illegal alien children <cough>

 

/thread

 

I opted not to get the chicken pox vaccine for my son. He caught chicken pox from a child when he was 4. A couple of his buddies got the chicken pox at the same time even though they had been vaccinated. None of the kids, including my son, had a bad case of the chicken pox. I think its wonderful that the school would call everyone to let parents know about the chicken pox outbreak. It's always better for parents to be informed so they will have a better idea of what's going on if their child starts displaying symptoms.

 

That's BAD! It did make me laugh though. :lol:

 

I opted out of the chicken pox vaccine for MM too.

 

yes, we got the call last night also.

 

My 18 year old had chicken pox when he was 14 months old....before the vaccine was offered. He was covered from head to toe and all "cracks" in between since he was still in diapers. When #2 and #3 came along I jumped at the chance for the vaccine (after I had all the facts). He was so sick. The Dr. said it was the worst case he had ever seen and I didn't want to risk it with the other two. On a lighter side...I gave it to my whole 2nd grade class in 1975 and then to my brother who passed it on to his 4th grade class. My mother is still embarrased over that one.

 

Sure enough I checked my kiddo's vac. chart, he had it.

I remember when all of us got the pox. I was the last to be infected and once I got it, off we all went to the beach for a family "vacation". Nothing works out germs like salt water. :lol:

 

When we moved here and my daughter started kindergarten, I was told by the school that it was mandatory. If that's the case, how did those of you that opted out, do so? Just curious.

 

My DD is 11. It was not mandatory. The shot was optional and we opted not to have it. The schools have her shot records and no one has every said anything to me about it.

 

You don't have to answer, but why not the shot? I read all the literature at the time, seems like the benefits outweighed the risk, but maybe I missed something.

 

I'm a chicken when it comes to vaccines - especially the newer ones. My son has had most of the recommended vaccines. However, he was born in 1999 and almost killed by the Rotashield vaccine (which was later removed from the market) later that year. The Chicken Pox vaccine was not licensed until 1995 - so I decided I would hold off on that one until my son started school so more research could be done on the vaccine. Although I've not heard of any major issues with the vaccine yet - I don't think they have determined if a "Booster" will be required for the Chicken Pox vaccine or not. What worries me about this is that I don't always remember to keep my Tetanus booster up to date. From what I understand - it's much worse to get Chicken Pox as an adult than it is to catch them as a child. Because my son actually caught the Chicken Pox - I believe he will now have life long immunity to them in the future so he won't have to worry about Booster shots if scientists later determine Chicken Pox Boosters will actually be an issue.

 

Vaccines are just a scary topic. I know they are important - but the adverse reaction my son had related the the Rotashield vaccine really made me think twice. I'm still very upset with the vaccine approval process used by the FDA/CDC and the conflicts of interests allowed by those voting to approve the vaccines even though they may have a financial tie to the company with the vaccine patent or the company actually manufacturing the vaccine. I don't think those who stand to earn money from the approval of a vaccine should be allowed to participate in the vaccine approval process.

However ... I am really glad that vaccines have almost wiped out diseases that used to kill many not so long ago. Now that my 2nd child is on her way, I know I'll be nervous when it comes to vaccine decisions. Sometimes I just don't know if I've made the right or wrong decisions. All we can do is research the vaccines risks & rewards and make our own decisions and then pray that we made the right ones. The day the Rotashild vaccine was pulled from the market, then Meningoccal vaccine was approved. The vaccine was being manufactured by the same manufacturer responsible for the Rotashild vaccine - so my trust in the particular company was pretty low. In any case, one of my son's buddies was recently hospitalized with meningitis. The first day I heard the news I was VERY upset with myself because I didn't know if my son's buddy had viral or bacterial meningitis and I felt very guilty because I was worried that I may have put my son's life at risk by not getting him that particular vaccine. The night before I learned that my son's buddy was sick, my son had awoken in the middle of the night crying over a headache (which had never happened before) and then he began vomitting. I was terrified when I learned that these were some of the same symptoms his buddy showed just before he was hospitalized with miningitis. I was so worried that I checked on my son almost hourly through the next couple of nights because I was sooo worried that he had meningitis and I had not done my party to protect him. Although it will take my son's buddy a while to recover, he was supposed to be moved out of intensive care today after spending more than a week there. It will still be a while before the child totally recovers - and this was after a bout with viral meningitis - which is not supposed to be nearly as bad as bacterial meningitis. (Please keep my son's buddy in your prayers. I spoke with his mom last night and she was hopeful that her son would be coming home from the hospital today - but with some type of long term IV sewed in his arm to help administer his medicine until he has fully recovered in a few weeks). Because of this recent scare, I've been seriously considering taking my son in for the Meningiciccal vaccine. I sure wish it was easier to make vaccine decisions. I just want to do what's best for my son ... and my daughter who is due to make her arrival in May. It sure would be easier if I could place more trust in the vaccine industry and the vaccine approval process.

 

I opted out because the shot was so very new when it was offered to us, and at the time, her Dr. told me she'd almost certainly get the pox when they gave her the shot. I didn't want to deal with chicken pox, lol...

 

Just had a well check with my DD and our Pediatrician said there is a Pox Booster that will be required for children in school. Also, a new vaccine Hep A is currently optional, but may also become required.