[anachronix]

Is this a mandatory vaccine? I opted not to give my kid as it was not.

[Octane_Power]

It is really hard to believe that there is a shortage of the vaccine to such a great extent that it isn't available in metros like Pune, Kolkata etc.

Very hard to believe, will have to check tomorrow itself about what is the scene in Bombay and also need to check my date of re-taking(or whatever it is called) the vaccine.

-Bhargav

[Soumyajit9]

Met our kid's paediatrician, 2 weeks back.
The Chicken Pox vaccine hasn't still come.
She said that there is a Chinese brand of the vaccine which is doing rounds, but asked us to stay away from it.

Anyone got any updates ?

PS: This doc is a senior paediatrician at Apollo, Bangalore. She has her personal clinic setup near our house and we see her there. Trusting her words as she has been an angel in treating all ailments of our kid. Plus, she has got immense patience, baffles me and wifey !!

[pankaj_sachdeva]

Originally Posted by Soumyajit9

Met our kid's paediatrician, 2 weeks back.
The Chicken Pox vaccine hasn't still come.
She said that there is a Chinese brand of the vaccine which is doing rounds, but asked us to stay away from it.

Anyone got any updates ?

And the scene is same on Chicken pox vaccine in Pune. Have checked with various hospitals ( Columbia Asia, Ruby hall, Noble hospital to name a few ) as well as private practitioners and all of them say that there are supply constrains from last 1 year or so.

I have been asked to check next month again, as one hospital pharmacy mentioned that they expect the supplies to start by Mid feb.

P.S. -- My 5 year old is already overdue for this vaccination.

[sgiitk]

Let us not get paranoid. Were we vaccinated - no. I got CP late when I was in Class X. My kids got CP in to UK around the ages of 10 and 6 in 1990. One thing I liked there was just treat it normally since ultimately all kids will get it. Almost no isolation, they had the annual dramas and at least 30% of the kids had the scabs.

A couple of things - once you get CP immunity lasts for life, and also CP and Herpes have the same virus, so you are protected against the latter as well.

[rajeev k]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

A couple of things - once you get CP immunity lasts for life, and also CP and Herpes have the same virus, so you are protected against the latter as well.

I am afraid, you are not right on the latter part. Herpes attacks those who already had Chicken Pox.

[bnzjon]

The Vaccine is now available in Chennai. I had administered for my Kid at Vee Care Hospitals, Anna Nagar.

[bblost]

Originally Posted by bblost

My son was due for this vaccination last month. Same story in Hyderabad as well.

I checked quite a few places but they were all out of stock.

No one had any answers on when it would be available.

Yesterday, Got my boy vaccinated yesterday at Nice Hospital in Vijaynagar colony.

[Soumyajit9]

Originally Posted by bblost

Yesterday, Got my boy vaccinated yesterday at Nice Hospital in Vijaynagar colony.

What brand is it ? I mean manufacturer ?
My paediatric had said there there is some chinese brand doing rounds in the market, which is not 100% safe / tested.
She said the regular brands are still short. I will check with her today evening.

[bblost]

Originally Posted by Soumyajit9

What brand is it ? I mean manufacturer ?
My paediatric had said there there is some chinese brand doing rounds in the market, which is not 100% safe / tested.
She said the regular brands are still short. I will check with her today evening.

The vaccine was BIOVAC-V (Chicken Pox) - Vac.
Manufactured by WOCKHARDT.
Rs 1699.


It was injected on 25/02/105.

On 6-March my 20 month old boy got Chicken Pox.
Its rare but I believe it is a side effect that happens.

We showed him to another doctor who said to wait it out and just keep him well hydrated.
The only remedy being a liberal application of Linical and if any sore shows signs of infection to apply t-bact ointment.

Considering that chicken pox is a ordinary illness with a lot of nuisance factor I am feeling a little stupid getting him vaccinated.



EDIT:
A doctor friend on Facebook helped me identify a much more probable reason.
His cousin sister spent the whole day with us on 22-Feb
On 23 Feb she developed blisters and was diagnosed with Chicken Pox.
She was then quarantined at her parent home and we did not meet her at all.

My son was vaccinated on 25-Feb.
Blisters appeared on 6-March.
That is 12 days after being with his cousin sister.
And 9 days of vaccination.

The vaccine did not help in preventing the infection he has already picked up.

[sgiitk]

Originally Posted by rajeev k

I am afraid, you are not right on the latter part. Herpes attacks those who already had Chicken Pox.

For that matter people getting a second attack of CP are also known. Herpes and CP are the same virus. If you get an attack it is normally very mild.

[Soumyajit9]

Originally Posted by bblost

The vaccine was BIOVAC-V (Chicken Pox) - Vac.
Manufactured by WOCKHARDT.
Rs 1699.
It was injected on 25/02/105.
On 6-March my 20 month old boy got Chicken Pox.
Its rare but I believe it is a side effect that happens.
The vaccine did not help in preventing the infection he has already picked up.
[/b]

Thanks for the info ! Will check with our paediatrician tomorrow about the availability.
Sorry to hear about your son. How is he coping up ? My son is of same age and wondering how painful it is for a 20 month old :(

On another note, H1N1 seems to be on the rise in Bangalore also.
Do we need to take any preventive measure apart from the usual ones available (Like better hygiene). Is vaccination a good preventive for a kid ?