vaccinate your kids, or else!!

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by nikki1920

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

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.

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.

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by ISUKappa

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.

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"?

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

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.

[MysticCat]

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

[ForeverRoses]

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!

[SWTXBelle]

The problem with the Pox Parties - while it is usually a fairly mild disease, it can be severe - even causing death. And there are other possible side effects - my baby brother still has the scars from when he caught it from me. He was 6 months old and being breastfed, so the doctors assured my mother he would have natural immunity.(!)