Recommended for New Moms the MMR Vaccine, but There Is Another Option which helps with Shingles too.

After I gave birth to my Baby Girl in January 2010, I was informed that my rubella resistance was low and an MMR, Measles, Mumps Rubella vaccine booster was recommended.

I DO believe in vaccines. I DO NOT believe in Doctors / CDC Vaccination Schedule which is a completely separate post.

So I went ahead and got the MMR booster before my discharge from the hospital. Since then I have had three family members come down with the shingles virus. Shingles is HORRIBLE!

-- My step mother had it - age 58. She developed a rash all over bot her arms and neck. She itched horribly and had severe pain. She still went to work (which blows my mind that we allow this contagious disease in workplaces. Who wants to stay home and ache. I too would want to get my mind off things, and the pain. But I don't think putting others at risk is AT ALL a responsible act. Why hasn't there been a law limiting social interaction with this disease?). On a scale of 1-10, about a 8, she'd say a 6.

-- My mother had it as a small rash on her chest/breast area. Causing aching and pain, on a scale of 1-10, about a 5 in pain, and a 9 in irritation. My mom also went to work, see comment above.

-- Lastly, my 83 year old grandmother had shingles. A thin red line developed along her back, near her bra strap. She thought it was an irritation, until the pain set in 5 days later. The rash stayed small. On a scale of 1-10, about a 8 in pain, and 10 for the family's burden and hearing about it every day.

As employees of CPS, we have this wellness / survey program as a health insurance requirement. I was reading my wellness report and saw the Recommended Health Vaccination Schedule for Adults. And the Shingles Vaccine was listed for 60+, however the Varicella vaccine for Chickenpox was also listed.

My Wellness Preventative Health Vaccine Assessment (copied from my personal wellness page) Includes:

Shingles Vaccine

Age 60+: 1 dose

Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine

Age 19+: 2 doses (if no evidence of prior 2-dose vaccination or of immunity)

Well upon further reading it turns out Merck, the manufacturer of both these vaccines makes a combo vaccine for MMRV- a combination measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox vaccine, and zoster, or shingles vaccine. I wish I'd know this because I would have preferred the combination shot MMRV instead of the standard MMR for me. I was exposed to my Step Mother, Mother and Grandmother while they had there shingles, my children were not. However, I don't want to suffer this disease. And I'll be requesting the Varicella Booster / and or shingles ASAP.

Original Post: February 24, 2014

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