82781- Chicken Pox and Judgement
Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 10:52 am
Okay, hold up a hot second, Yay. I just want to thank Haleakexplosion for his commentary. I had chicken pox as a child when I was four (about 1997). The vaccine was available, but it should be noted that at that point in time, like Haleaka said, it wasn't widely available, and when it was available, its efficacy was still questioned by doctors and parents alike. My mom had us all (at the time, an older brother and a younger brother) vaccinated, but when she was asked about the chicken pox vaccine, my mom hesitated because the doctor hesitated, saying it was still new and they weren't entirely sure about it.
So we weren't vaccinated. And my older brother got chicken pox from some kid at school, because hey! Guess what! We weren't the only ones who were still a little head shy about the vaccine. So my mom put all three of us together and we all got mild chicken pox, because my mom wanted to get it over with. I don't remember it even being bad. I just remember watching 101 Dalmatians (a movie I loved desperately) and being delighted that I was FINALLY a dalmatian because I had spots. For what's it worth, my mom had my two youngest siblings vaccinated for chicken pox, and they lost out on the the joys of being a dalmatian.
These types of chicken pox parties are absolutely not common today, partially because of herd immunity (which is why we should all continue to get vaccinated-- protect those who cannot, for some reason, be vaccinated- like my immuno-compromised little brother). But back then, there were even measles parties. Common childhood diseases were just easier to get over all at once and then you didn't have to deal with them again. Additionally, those diseases did tend to be more mild in childhood, like the corrector pointed out. Like Haleakala said, this doesn't make those types of events okay, but it does make them rational, considering the times. Today, chicken pox parties aren't a thing, because almost no one gets chicken pox anymore. So the whole "It's because we don't believe in science" thing is bunk, because when those parties actually happened, it was because the vaccine didn't exist, or people weren't sure about it yet-- and that DOESN'T mean they don't believe in science or are idiots, or whatever judgement you want to try and heap on them. It's something new, and it's perfectly reasonable to be hesitant at first.
I believe just as strongly in getting your kids vaccinated, but let's lay off on the judgement, okay?
So we weren't vaccinated. And my older brother got chicken pox from some kid at school, because hey! Guess what! We weren't the only ones who were still a little head shy about the vaccine. So my mom put all three of us together and we all got mild chicken pox, because my mom wanted to get it over with. I don't remember it even being bad. I just remember watching 101 Dalmatians (a movie I loved desperately) and being delighted that I was FINALLY a dalmatian because I had spots. For what's it worth, my mom had my two youngest siblings vaccinated for chicken pox, and they lost out on the the joys of being a dalmatian.
These types of chicken pox parties are absolutely not common today, partially because of herd immunity (which is why we should all continue to get vaccinated-- protect those who cannot, for some reason, be vaccinated- like my immuno-compromised little brother). But back then, there were even measles parties. Common childhood diseases were just easier to get over all at once and then you didn't have to deal with them again. Additionally, those diseases did tend to be more mild in childhood, like the corrector pointed out. Like Haleakala said, this doesn't make those types of events okay, but it does make them rational, considering the times. Today, chicken pox parties aren't a thing, because almost no one gets chicken pox anymore. So the whole "It's because we don't believe in science" thing is bunk, because when those parties actually happened, it was because the vaccine didn't exist, or people weren't sure about it yet-- and that DOESN'T mean they don't believe in science or are idiots, or whatever judgement you want to try and heap on them. It's something new, and it's perfectly reasonable to be hesitant at first.
I believe just as strongly in getting your kids vaccinated, but let's lay off on the judgement, okay?