Comments on: Pox parties http://www.thiswomanswork.com/2006/03/06/pox-parties/ dawn friedman's blog Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:16:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Gary S. Goldman, Ph.D. http://www.thiswomanswork.com/2006/03/06/pox-parties/#comment-13183 Gary S. Goldman, Ph.D. Mon, 04 Jun 2007 03:02:53 +0000 http://thiswomanswork.com/?p=2067#comment-13183 Prior to the universal chickenpox vaccination program, 95% of adults experienced natural chickenpox (usually as schoolage children), which was usually benign and which resulted in lifetime immunity. This high percentage of individuals with lifetime immunity has been compromised by mass vaccination of children, which provides at best 70–90% immunity that is temporary and of unknown duration, shifting chickenpox to a more vulnerable adult population where it carries 20 times more risk of death and 15 times more risk of hospitalisation compared to children. Add to this the adverse effects of both the chickenpox and shingles vaccines as well as the potential for increased risk of shingles for an estimated 30 to 50 years among adults. The Universal Varicella (chickenpox) Vaccination Program now requires booster vaccines that are less effective than the natural immunity that existed in communities prior to licensure of the varicella vaccine. Routine vaccination against chickenpox has produced continual cycles of treatment and disease. Prior to the universal chickenpox vaccination program, 95% of adults experienced natural chickenpox (usually as schoolage children), which was usually benign and which resulted in
lifetime immunity. This high percentage of individuals with lifetime immunity has been compromised by mass vaccination of children, which provides at best 70–90% immunity that is temporary and of unknown duration, shifting chickenpox to a more vulnerable adult
population where it carries 20 times more risk of death and 15 times more risk of hospitalisation compared to children. Add to this the adverse effects of both the chickenpox and shingles
vaccines as well as the potential for increased risk of shingles for an estimated 30 to 50 years among adults. The Universal Varicella (chickenpox) Vaccination Program now requires booster vaccines that are less effective than the natural immunity that existed in communities prior to licensure of the varicella vaccine.
Routine vaccination against chickenpox has produced continual cycles of treatment and disease.

]]> By: Gary S. Goldman, Ph.D. http://www.thiswomanswork.com/2006/03/06/pox-parties/#comment-13182 Gary S. Goldman, Ph.D. Thu, 14 Dec 2006 18:27:45 +0000 http://thiswomanswork.com/?p=2067#comment-13182 I served as a Research Analyst on a varicella (chickenpox) surveillance project that monitored the effects of the chickenpox vaccine on a community of 300,000 persons. Based on 10+ years of study, I have found that cell-mediated (as well as humoral) immunity wanes over time when children are not periodically exposed to the chickenpox virus. What this means is--is this: whether or not a person is vaccinated or contracts the chickenpox naturally via a party, the immunity is NOT life-long. Over a period of time, the immunity declines which can result in either a second case of chickenpox or the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus as shingles (herpes zoster). Prior to the chickenpox vaccine, adults use to receive an immunologic boost that helped to postpone or suppress the reactivation shingles. Since chickenpox exposures have now become rare, in the absence of these exogenous (outside) exposures, the incidence of shingles is increasing. More information is available at my website and in my book www.injectionbook.com. All positive trends I reported were published; however, when I started reporting deleterious or negative trends associated with varicella vaccine, these seemed to be suppressed. I served as a Research Analyst on a varicella (chickenpox) surveillance project that monitored the effects of the chickenpox vaccine on a community of 300,000 persons. Based on 10+ years of study, I have found that cell-mediated (as well as humoral) immunity wanes over time when children are not periodically exposed to the chickenpox virus. What this means is–is this: whether or not a person is vaccinated or contracts the chickenpox naturally via a party, the immunity is NOT life-long. Over a period of time, the immunity declines which can result in either a second case of chickenpox or the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus as shingles (herpes zoster). Prior to the chickenpox vaccine, adults use to receive an immunologic boost that helped to postpone or suppress the reactivation shingles. Since chickenpox exposures have now become rare, in the absence of these exogenous (outside) exposures, the incidence of shingles is increasing.
More information is available at my website and in my book http://www.injectionbook.com. All positive trends I reported were published; however, when I started reporting deleterious or negative trends associated with varicella vaccine, these seemed to be suppressed.

]]> By: brave http://www.thiswomanswork.com/2006/03/06/pox-parties/#comment-13181 brave Thu, 09 Mar 2006 00:41:47 +0000 http://thiswomanswork.com/?p=2067#comment-13181 I'm not a doctor or scientist, but I think I've read that immune systems are weakened by viruses and pathogens rather than vaccinations. People who take prednisone or methotrexate for example, have weakened immune systems while they take those drugs. thanks! bye I’m not a doctor or scientist, but I think I’ve read that immune systems are weakened by viruses and pathogens rather than vaccinations. People who take prednisone or methotrexate for example, have weakened immune systems while they take those drugs. thanks! bye

]]> By: susoz http://www.thiswomanswork.com/2006/03/06/pox-parties/#comment-13180 susoz Wed, 08 Mar 2006 12:37:42 +0000 http://thiswomanswork.com/?p=2067#comment-13180 In Australia the chickenpox vaccine is only just being introduced. It's not part of the official vaccination schedule as far as I know. It certainly wasn't when my 7yo was a baby. He had all the other vaccinations, though a bit late (and I now wish I'd given them even later than we did). He had chickenpox itself when he was two. Most kids we know have had the disease and it's not a major drama. I'm glad he's had it. I thinkk the west is in danger of vaccinating ourselves into a state of immuno-weakness. In Australia the chickenpox vaccine is only just being introduced. It’s not part of the official vaccination schedule as far as I know. It certainly wasn’t when my 7yo was a baby. He had all the other vaccinations, though a bit late (and I now wish I’d given them even later than we did). He had chickenpox itself when he was two. Most kids we know have had the disease and it’s not a major drama. I’m glad he’s had it. I thinkk the west is in danger of vaccinating ourselves into a state of immuno-weakness.

]]> By: Lady http://www.thiswomanswork.com/2006/03/06/pox-parties/#comment-13179 Lady Tue, 07 Mar 2006 19:20:51 +0000 http://thiswomanswork.com/?p=2067#comment-13179 The vaccine was not available when our children were little. ( early 1980's) Both children were exposed MULTIPLE times to multiple children with chicken pox, no luck. Children are now 25 and 28, still have not gotten the chicken pox. Vaccine's don't always take either. 28 year old daughter has been vaccined for Rubella 3 times and still does not test positive. :( Good luck in the decisions to vaccinate or not. With either choice, I don't think there are any guarantees for a perfect outcomes. Lady The vaccine was not available when our children were little. ( early 1980’s) Both children were exposed MULTIPLE times to multiple children with chicken pox, no luck. Children are now 25 and 28, still have not gotten the chicken pox.

Vaccine’s don’t always take either. 28 year old daughter has been vaccined for Rubella 3 times and still does not test positive. :(
Good luck in the decisions to vaccinate or not. With either choice, I don’t think there are any guarantees for a perfect outcomes.

Lady

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