Ah ha.
I got it when I was 6 (spent my first spring break EVER sick with chicken pox), and thought my immunity to it passed naturally to my daughter. Maybe not. I didnt' see what the big deal was for her to get chicken pox. I had no idea that the vaccine wore off.

MystiCat: yes. It's true. ANY delay, and parents are in the office trying to get Medicaid. OR they go to the Social Security office and get the child tested and labled, get the check, and are back in here for referrals, housing assistance, food stamps, etc. The ones who generally need it (I had client who had one child who was born without eyes, for example) don't think about Social Security, but the ones who want a check (like the one who doesn't interact with her child at all and calls her stupid, slow and dumb) are quick to go to Social Security.

*sigh*
licensing for parents is becoming more and more necessary...

>>Insert my "everyone should be sterilized at birth and get unsterilized after parenting classes and a licencing exam" rant here<<

;)

Or, abstinence until married (and of course, it is necessary to be counseled before the marriage, just to be sure that both parties are up for the challenge, including the challenge of parenting).

Not that Brit-Brit was counseled before marriage - but she was married when she had both of her children...

Yahoo! headlines has a video up now about Tamiflu causing adverse reactions in children - reactions including self-injury and hallucination! I can't post a link because it's a video, but I'll keep looking. It's from CNN, so it shouldn't be too hard to find.

I realize Tamiflu isn't a vaccine, but it's just one more case where, even prescribed doses of medicine are posing serious risks to children.

ETA: Here's a link from CNN. It isn't the video, but this may be better anyway:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/condi....ap/index.html

Yes, "counseled" by a man who has taken a vow of celibacy and has never nor will ever (supposedly) experience either...

All of my kids are grown and out of the house, but I had a flu shot today. Does that count?

I know and understand both of those points. However, the varicella vaccine does not provide lifetime immunity. Only actually having the chicken pox gives you that (though mild cases may not). One would have to continue getting chicken pox boosters throughout their lifetime, or until a lifetime vax is created.

Shingles usually manifests itself in the elderly (usually) and there is currently a shingles vax for that demographic. Shingles, while extremely painful, does not necessarily pose the same threats actually catching chicken pox as an adult does.

So what was the point of the vaccine for children, especially?

Actually many Catholic dioceses have peer pre-marital counseling. My parents were part of our diocese's Pre-Cana program.

Also, in learning to be a counselor, I've learned it isn't necessary to have experienced everything that your clients have to be able to counsel them. You are not making decisions for your clients, but helping them to process their issues, concerns, etc.

People who throw "Pox Parties" wonder the same thing. I suppose it gives some parents the peace of mind. It does potentially prevent an annoying disease, anyway. But then kids won't have super cool chicken pox scars to show off anymore. :p

I'm reading on the CDC varicella website that 2 doses are now recommended to provide "immunity", but IMO the vaccine hasn't been around long enough (only since 1995) to determine that yet.

So what is a "pox party"?

If one kid in the neighborhood/school/etc gets Chicken Pox, they throw them in a room with all the kids who haven't had Chicken Pox so they spread it around. It sounds odd, but actually getting the Chicken Pox as a kid is much less dangerous than when you're an adult. Plus, it prevents you from needing the vac.

^^^^ And the group of friends/playmates all get it overwith at the same time.

Thanks for the clarification. I guess I do understand the idea of a Pox Party, however all of my kids have already had the chicken pox vaccine, so I guess I'm too late!