Varicella immunity from vax?

[Avocado]

I've never had chickenpox but according to the blood tests recently taken for my preg, they show that I am varicella immune. I mentioned to the nurse/midwife at the doc today that I have never had chickenpox and I must have just been exposed along the way to get this immunity from it. She said "You must have immunity from the vaccine." and I said that I didn't know the vaccine was available when I was young and that I don't think I ever got it, and she said "yes, it was.". Then I said "Wouldn't the immunity have worn off by now if it were from the the vaccine over 20 years ago?" and she said "Nope." This nurse was also pushing the H1N1 and flu vax hardcore, even mentioned my higher chance of death a few times if I didn't get them... so, I'm thinking she was just pulling anything out of her behind to try to convince me to get the vaccines. I was born in 1980 and I have seen my vaccine records and I do not remember varicella, though I may be mistaken... Was this on the 1980 schedule and even if it was, would I STILL be immune just from the vax? I'm assuming I was simply exposed along the way and developed natural immunity to it.

[Avocado]

Okay, I just kind of answered my own question with a little Google search on when the vax was released. This lady was full of you know what. That just makes me mad I am still curious if it's even possible to be immune 20 years after a vax.

[just_lily]

For some, probably. Although I am not sure I would use the word "immune". You may just still have antibodies. I still have ruebella titres from the MMR I received 25 years ago.

But with varicella, it is looking like the varicella vax may only last five years. It hasn't been out long enough to really get a handle on it.

[MyBoysBlue]

If I remember correctly it's only been out since 1995. Or at least on the vax schedule since then.

[nia82]

What an annoying encounter.
The CP vaccine is known to last only for short periods of time, approximately 5 years, and as CP is so mild, even my hardcore vaccine MD sister skipped it for my nephew (and that kid received 6 in 1 shots, the new experimental 13 strain Prevnar and Rotavirus!).
The CP sho was added in 1995 to the CDC schedule, so you did not get it. Unless you specifically requested it as a teen you didn't get it. Or you immigrated to the US, then you had to get it for the green card.
Most likely you were exposed without even knowing and just have titers for it. I read somewhere that before the vaccine, by age 10 90% of all kids were immune, some had CP, some were just exposed and fought it off.
And for vaccine immunity: I had the shot twice in 2006 and twice in 2007 and I still have no titers.

[Gitti]

When my son-in-law entered med school he was tested for immunity and although he had never been exposed to cp, nor did he ever have cp, he was fully immune.

For sure he did not have the vaccine!

[Jenelle]

Yes, you were probably exposed somewhere along the line and did not even know it.

No, the vaccine was not available in our childhood. (1979 here).

Yes, your nurse was a total: A) idiot B) bully OR C) both.

Isn't it comforting to know that these are the hands we trust our lives with?





Everyone has a different story, but FWIW -- I had Rubella vaccine as a child, of course -- was then not immune to it in bloodwork at about 25 -- so OBGYN vaxed me for it. A very short two years later, I was not immune again. That was an eye-opening experience for me, and to this day I don't understand exactly why *my body* will not respond to the Rubella vaccine.

[SuburbanHippie]

Jenelle- My body also will not take to the Rubella vaccine. It's pretty common from what I've noticed.

OP, that nurse was totally full of it OR she is really uninformed. Either way, this is exactly why I don't trust any doctor or nurse with my health care. They take a class on vaccines (taught by big pharma) and are supposed to be more informed than just a mother who researches vaccines every day? Please.