Hilary
I think it's more complicated. Chickenpox in adults can be severe, whereas in children it's a nuisance but almost never serious.
100% vaccine coverage isn't achievable, and partial coverage pushes up the typical age of first exposure. Introducing chickenpox vaccination could therefore paradoxically increase the number of severe adult cases.
I'd guess that the balance of risks does now favour vaccination but it's not as straightforward as one might imagine.
Quinn Norton
@regordane @breiter @jeffjarvis it can be severe, and also, shingles. i got chicken pox in my 20s, and then got shingles *two years* later. i'm very happy vaccinations exist, and also Acyclovir. thank the gods for Acyclovir.
Quinn Norton
@regordane @breiter @jeffjarvis it def does not prevent shingles.
Hilary
It's unusual to get shingles so soon after the initial infection ie chickenpox. I'm sorry you were so unlucky.
One of the imponderables about routine childhood chickenpox vaccination is how it will affect shingles in younger adults. There's a huge population of adults who've had chickenpox which could re-activate as shingles. Allowing chickenpox to circulate means many get re-exposed when their kids get chickenpox. Which acts like a vaccine. Preventing shingles.
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