My doctor has suggested that I get Zostavax, an immunization for those of us who had chickenpox in childhood.
It will prevent us from getting shingles as adults. Has anyone had experience with this?

http://www.quiltingboard.com/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by auniqueview http://www.quiltingboard.com/images/...post-right.png
In the 1940s, the pertussis vaccine, combined with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DTP), was introduced. By 1976, the incidence of whooping cough in the U.S. had decreased by over 99%. During the 1980s, however, the incidence of whooping cough began to increase and has risen steadily, with epidemics typically occurring every three to five years in the U.S. In the epidemic of 2005, 25,616 cases were reported according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2008, over 13,000 cases of whooping cough were reported in the U.S., resulting in 18 deaths. In 2010, which included an epidemic in California (see below), 27,550 cases of pertussis were reported nationwide.
In 2010, a pertussis epidemic was declared in California. This outbreak included 9,143 cases of pertussis (including 10 infant deaths) throughout California. This was the highest number of cases reported in an outbreak since 1947. In the previous epidemic of 2005, California recorded 3,182 cases and eight deaths.

You might want to reread this. I made the important parts, like country and state, a little easier to see. I have no idea how other countries were affected within the same time period.

From what I have read in these responses. Is that some of these "pox parties" are done for convenience to the parents.
As not to miss work or even school days.

My youngest daughter had chicken pox over her spring break vacation. She was as spotted as some of the Easter eggs she hunted for in her private egg hunt with Cody. Since both of them had the pox, he spent his week with us. :)

We had two bathrooms, so his Mom and I gave them oatmeal baths when he was over playing. And went through bottles of calamine lotion.

When my little sister had chicken pox, I had to sleep in the same bed with her when she was in the contagious stage but I did not get them. I never had the chicken pox as a child and I still have not had them as an adult. My daughter was exposed to a kid in her 2nd grade class that had them. She came home and her two brothers came down with very light cases of chicken pox but she did not get them. She was exposed to them while she was pregnant with our grandson and she still did not get them. I do not have the chicken pox virus in my body so I will not come down with shingles.

In a word, YES... people have collectively lost their mind. About 5 minutes of the news will confirm that in case you had any doubts. I know it makes me sound like a cranky old lady, but I swear... people these days... !!!

What a dangerious and stupid idea, do parents think about the danger of this?? Have they no brains??

Well, scoot over you cranky old Lady, cause this cranky Lady needs to take a break. :)

We can sit and chat about the goofballs in the news.

Obviously not!!

Last week some woman was arrested in Houston for leaving her 2 year old in the car while she went inside and drank Margaritas. It was 83 degrees outside, but it's ok........she let the windows down a bit so the kid could get some air.

http://www.zostavax.com/ Here's the link for Zostavax. Please read and talk to your doctor before getting it.