Chickenpox Anyone?

I never vaccinated my children for the chickenpox.  Five years ago, when the doctor suggested we vaccinate Eva with the varicella vaccine, I objected for three reasons.  First, I believed the vaccine was too new and not tested enough; second, I didn't  think chickenpox was so bad;  third, it is a live virus  with some unusual ingredients.  Some of these ingredients include guinea pig DNA and fetal bovine serum.   On page 103 of  Dr. Robert Sears' new book, The Vaccine Book, he lists "[r]esidual components of the Merck human diploid cells, including DNA and proteins from the cells."  On the following page, Sears points out,"some parents find it a little odd to inject unknown human DNA into a baby."

The pediatrician had no objection to my objection, but warned me that Illinois would require Eva to have the vaccination in order to attend school.  One day without warning, Eva's skin erupted with red angry bumps.  She had contracted the chickenpox!  Eva was twenty months at the time and doesn't remember it at all today.  Two miserable nights later, she was comfortable again.  During those two nights, I felt incredibly guilty.  I knew that even vaccinated children often catch the virus, but a much milder version.  Eva was miserable because we had decided not to get her vaccinated.  Today, looking back, I'm happy she got the chickenpox naturally.    She will never have to worry about catching it again.  She will never need the boosters today's children are going to need, probably for the rest of their lives.

Charlie just finished his bout with the chickenpox.  For him, I was much more proactive.  I took him to a Chickenpox Party to intentionally infect him with the virus.  You may be asking, "What is a Chickenpox Party?"  It is exactly what you think it is.  I took little Charlie over to a sick child's house to play.  The mom volunteering her home and her pox-marked child, Jeffrey, provided the organic lollipops.  "Charlie, let's give little Jeffrey a taste of your lollipop."  I suggested.   After little Jeffrey took a lick, I handed it back to Charlie.  Charlie put it in his mouth.  The deed was done.  I had intentionally inflicted my child with a virus.  Am I a terrible mother?

All I know is that I did not want Charlie to be injected with the varicella vaccine, and the government was going to make him get it unless he got the virus naturally.  I did a lot of research before I came to the decision to refuse the vaccine and infect my child. For example, Dr. Sears, in his newly published The Vaccine Book has stated, "Since chickenpox is usually harmless, I don't worry too much when parents tell me they don't want this shot for their child (p. 108)." Like me, he worries that if our children do not catch the chickenpox naturally, the vaccine may wear off later in life.  Once this immunity wears off, these children, who have grown into adults, will be vulnerable to the virus.  This is a problem because catching the disease as an adult is much more dangerous.  Proponents of the vaccine claim that it can save lives because some children die of the chickenpox every year.  Yet, through my research, I discovered that the only children who died from chickenpox and its  complications were children who were given aspirin (Reyes Syndrome), or children with Leukemia or Asthma, or another kind of infliction compromising the child's immune system.  I knew that Charlie's immune system was strong.  I knew that the timing was right because I could nurse him through it, thus bolstering his immune system even more.   

Was I a monster?  I'm still not sure.  All I know is that I am doing the best I can as his mother.  Of course, I never want my children to feel bad or to get ill.  However, for me, the alternative seemed worse.  As his mother, I wanted Charlie to be immune for life.  I hope someday he will understand.

An original post to Chicago Moms Blog.