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> the UK already pursues a strategy of herd immunity regarding chicken pox (along with other countries), despite the availability of a vaccine: http://www.ox.a
by JetSetWilly 7y ago
> the UK already pursues a strategy of herd immunity regarding chicken pox (along with other countries), despite the availability of a vaccine: http://www.ox.ac.uk/research/everything-you-need-know-about-.. http://www.ox.ac.uk/research/everything-you-need-know-about-.... I disagree with that strategy but I am not qualified to make that decision on behalf of a country, and I'm glad it's not my responsibility to do so.
The UK does not vaccinate against chickenpox because it judges that the overall public health consequences are worse if you vaccinate than if you don't - it would increase the frequency of shingles which is much worse than chickenpox.
- hyko 7y agoThat for me is where the logic breaks down, a comprehensive vaccine programme for shingles would seem far more effective than just hoping the adults come into contact with infected children.
- JetSetWilly 7y agoAnti-vaxxers are a thing. If you vaccinate then due to herd immunity the anti-vaxxers don't get exposed to chickpenpox nearly as much and then end up getting shingles. Also then anti-vaxxer children get chickenpox much later in life when it can be more serious. If you don't vaccinate everybody gets exposed to chickenpox much more and the proportion of shingles cases ends up being smaller, not only that but anti-vaxxer children don't need to worry about getting their first case of chickenpox at age 30.