Is It Safer for My Child to Get Chickenpox When They Are Young?

Is It Safer for My Child to Get Chickenpox When They Are Young?

Some parents wonder whether it’s better for their child to catch chickenpox at a young age, believing that early exposure is safer or that natural infection provides better immunity. This idea stems from a time when vaccination wasn’t available, and parents assumed that managing chickenpox in childhood was preferable to the risks of contracting it as an adult.

However, intentionally exposing your child to chickenpox is no longer considered a safe or necessary approach. Modern healthcare offers a safer, more effective way to protect children from the virus through vaccination, significantly reducing the risk of complications and future illness.

Young toddler with chickenpox. Sick child with chickenpox. Varicella virus or Chickenpox bubble rash on child. Portrait of little boy with pox.

Why Do Some Parents Consider Early Exposure?

Belief in Natural Immunity

Many parents assume that natural infection offers lifelong immunity, which is true in most cases. However, this comes at a cost—exposure to the virus carries unpredictable risks that can lead to serious complications.

Worry About Worse Outcomes in Adulthood

There’s also a belief that contracting chickenpox as an adult can lead to more severe illness. While this is true, exposing a child intentionally is not the safest way to prevent future complications. Vaccination provides immunity without subjecting a child to unnecessary risk.

Is Intentional Exposure to Chickenpox Safe?

Unpredictable Severity of Illness

While many children experience mild chickenpox, there’s no way to predict how severe the illness will be for any individual child. Some children develop high fevers, extensive blisters, and severe discomfort, while others may require hospitalisation.

Risk of Serious Complications

Even in healthy children, chickenpox can lead to unexpected complications, including:

Skin infections: Scratching blisters can introduce bacteria, leading to secondary infections that may require antibiotics.
Pneumonia: Although rare, chickenpox can cause lung infections, especially in young children.
Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain is a serious but rare complication that can result in long-term neurological damage.

Increased Risk to Vulnerable Populations

Exposing a child to chickenpox doesn’t just affect them—it increases the spread of the virus to others, including:

Infants: Babies under 9 months are too young to be vaccinated and are at higher risk of severe illness.
Pregnant women: Chickenpox during pregnancy can cause serious complications, including congenital varicella syndrome, which can result in birth defects.
Immunocompromised individuals: People with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or with chronic conditions, are at greater risk of severe complications.

What Are the Safer Alternatives to Early Exposure?

Vaccination: A Safe and Effective Choice

The chickenpox vaccine is a safe, reliable way to protect children from the varicella-zoster virus without the risks associated with natural infection. Although it is not yet part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule in the UK, it is available privately and recommended for certain high-risk groups.

High efficacy: The vaccine prevents chickenpox in about 90% of cases and significantly reduces the severity in those who do contract the virus after vaccination.

Lower risk of complications: Vaccination protects against the serious complications associated with natural infection, offering a safer way to build immunity.

Long-Term Protection Without the Risks

In addition to preventing chickenpox, the vaccine also reduces the risk of shingles later in life. Shingles occurs when the varicella-zoster virus reactivates, often decades after the initial infection. Vaccinated individuals are less likely to develop shingles or experience severe symptoms.

Why Avoid Intentional Exposure?

🔬 Modern Medical Advice Has Evolved

Decades ago, before the availability of a vaccine, managing chickenpox through natural infection was a practical choice. However, with safer and more effective alternatives now available, exposing a child to the virus unnecessarily is no longer recommended.

Minimise Unnecessary Risks

There’s no reason to expose a child to unpredictable risks when vaccination offers safe and effective protection. The potential for serious complications, combined with the risk of spreading the virus to vulnerable populations, makes intentional exposure an outdated and unsafe practice.

When Should You Consider the Chickenpox Vaccine?

If your child hasn’t had chickenpox or been vaccinated, speak to your healthcare provider about the chickenpox vaccine. Although it’s not part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule in the UK yet, it’s available privately and may be recommended for children with:

Weakened immune systems
Close contact with immunocompromised individuals
Family members at higher risk of complications

Exposing your child to chickenpox at a young age may seem like a quick way to ensure immunity, but it introduces unnecessary risks that can be avoided. Vaccination provides a safer, more effective way to protect your child while also preventing the spread of the virus to others.

When it comes to safeguarding your child’s health, choosing vaccination over intentional exposure is the safest and most responsible decision.

Disclaimer: the information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalised guidance and treatment.