A member asked:
Is it better for children to get chicken pox than the chicken pox vaccine?
11 doctor answers • 23 doctors weighed in
Dr. Sharon Gillilandanswered
Pediatrics 38 years experience
No: Wild virus chicken pox does carry a risk of complications. In young children, the risk is lower than it is in teens and adults; however, the complications include the potential for life-threatening conditions. Never expose your child purposely to chicken pox. The vaccination is much safer.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Anatoly Belilovskyanswered
Pediatrics 37 years experience
No: In the "good old days" before the vaccine was introduced, natural chickenpox accounted for roughly 100 fatalities a year (half of them in normal children, half in immunocompromised individuals), as well as thousands of hospitalizations for complications (including "flesh eating disease"), and millions of unsightly scars. Even those who get incomplete protection from vaccine will not be as sick.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Marc Grellaanswered
Pediatrics 30 years experience
No: Although most people who get chickenpox get a mild illness, 1% of those infected are hospitalized and 1% of those (or 1 in 10, 000) die of complications. Much safer to get the vaccine and not have that risk (and not miss school or work or daycare).
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Erica Zwernemann commented
Pediatrics 26 years experience
When parents say to me that "I had chicken pox and I'm fine", my response is this. You probably did not ride in a carseat either, but that doesn't make it safer for your child.
Feb 1, 2012
Dr. Terri Graham commented
Pediatrics 33 years experience
There are several additional risks to getting chickenpox, the primary one being the risk of shingles which can be debilitating. With the rise in MRSA, having your skin break down significantly increases the risk of a secondary bacterial infection.
Jun 27, 2012
Dr. Kevin Windischanswered
Pediatrics 27 years experience
No: Prior to the introduction of the vaccine 100-200 children per year died of chickenpox in the USA. When we had approx. 50% of the population vaccinated the number of deaths fell to 50-100 per year. The vaccine, on the other hand, is safe and not associated with any fatalities.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Pamela Lindoranswered
Pediatrics 34 years experience
No: Chicken pox is a potentially serious, very contagious viral disease. Getting immunity from a vaccine is much safer than actually having the disease. Although many children who get chicken pox recover, there a serious cases of pneumonia and encephalitis. Before the vaccine, about 100 children died in the US each year from complications of chickenpox.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 35 years experience
No: If a person could predict the future, and knew he would get a very mild case of the chicken pox (less than 10 little bumps), and knew he would never get shingles (caused by the virus) later, then he might be better off getting the disease instead of the vaccine. But nobody can predict the future, and chicken pox can be serious & shingles can cause permanent pain, so children should be vaccinated.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Jason Perkelanswered
Pediatrics 27 years experience
No: Rarely chicken pox can cause serious complications such as encephalitis, pneumonia or skin infection with staph bacteria. Plus, being sick with the chicken pox makes kids feel lousy for a week sometimes with fever, fussiness, itching and poor appetite. The vaccine is safe, effective and will create immunity.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Mark Diamondanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
No: Absolutely not! the disease in the worse case scenario can cause death. The vaccine does not. What more needs said!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Paul Tranianswered
Specializes in Pediatrics
No: Though chicken pox is a self-limited illness in most children, there are potential severe complications from varicella (chicken pox), including retinitis, meningitis, and pneumonia. Also, someone who has had chicken pox is at risk for shingles for the rest of their life. The varicella vaccine carries none of these risks, and is generally very well-tolerated.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Jay Parkanswered
Pediatrics 52 years experience
No: Natural disease of chicken pox does induce stronger immune response to produce longer immunity (protection) but not without cost. Although uncommon, infected children with chicken pox develop complications such as severe skin condition kown as necrotizing fasciitis and even cerebellitis (infection of cerebellum).
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Julia Sundelanswered
Pediatrics 20 years experience
No: The vaccine is safe and effective. Chicken pox causes an itchy and uncomfortable rash that takes many days to heal. It also causes fever and weakness. Complications include bacterial skin infections, seizures, dizziness, tremors, headaches and unsteady walking. Go for the vaccine!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 41-year-old member asked:
Wanted to know where can I get a chicken pox vaccine?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Call your PCP: The average primary care doctor or clinic has access to the vaccine. Some will stock it while others do not.A simple call to the clinic could see if they keep it on hand or could order it for you.Many states operate public health clinics where vaccines are available, so your local health authority may be able to find it for you.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Does everyone need to get chicken pox vaccine?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Alfredo Garciaanswered
Pediatrics 58 years experience
Chickenpox vaccine: Yes. It helps prevent the complications of chickenpox - infection by the flesh-eating bacteria.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Is it still possible to get chicken pox after the vaccine?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Possibly: Studies show about 85% get lifelong protection with a single dose and &> 95% with two doses. We usually give a dose at 1 yr and another at 5.The initial dose has been shown to eliminate the serious complications occasionally seen with cpx, but may permit a milder case in some kids.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Glendale, California
A 26-year-old male asked:
Do i need to get a chicken pox vaccine?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
Infectious Disease 27 years experience
Depends: I'm assuming your not asking for yourself (a 26yo in the school and college system is required to have boosters on certain vaccinations). Otherwise blood serum can be checked for protective levels of varicella antibodies. If low..then boostering can be ordered. Secondly..is it needed? Is the person immunocompromised, very elderly etc.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Nov 27, 2017
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