I never had chicken pox. (I'm 34) I have been around many people that have had them but I never got them. My son had them when he was 5 and I still didn't get them. I know they are worse when you get older.(I have never had the measles or mumps either but I did have the vaccine shots) Is there such a thing as being immune to chicken pox? I always thought you had to build up a resistance to be immune to something. What does anyone know about the chicken pox vaccine for adults?

Good question Clare. I honestly do not know about adults getting the vaccine. But I would think that you could. When my oldest son got his it was fairly brand new and his doc said that they might have to repeat when he is 16 or so. Call your doctors office and ask them. Because you don't want it as a adult.

I copied this from a website:
Who should be vaccinated against chickenpox?

The chicken pox vaccine is not required like some other vaccines. However, it is generally safe and will save your child from suffering with a preventable illness. Talk to your doctor about the vaccine if you have questions. The vaccine is given to children from 12 to 18 months of age. Older children can be given the vaccine if they haven't had chickenpox.

Adults who haven't had chickenpox but who work in health care or day care should probably receive the varicella vaccine. Also, college students or staff or inmates of correctional institutions should probably receive the vaccine if they haven't had chickenpox. Women of childbearing age who are not pregnant and who have not had chickenpox should have the varicella vaccine. Your doctor may suggest you have the vaccine if you've never had chickenpox and are an adult, especially if you will be travelling to other countries.

Who shouldn't receive the varicella vaccine?

People with immune diseases should not receive the vaccine. People who are receiving high doses of steroids (such as prednisone) should not be vaccinated. Pregnant women should not receive the vaccine.

Are there any side effects from the varicella vaccine?

The most common side effects are pain, redness or swelling at the injection site. Severe reactions are rare.

When I was 36 my son, then 12, gave me chicken pox! I felt like a leper, though physically I felt fine.
None of the rest of my family caught them, even though some of them had never had them either.
So it would seem that one could have a natural immunity to chicken pox.

I'm 38 and have never had chicken pox either! Although when I was 27 I was a tutor in a local high school there was an epidemic of chicken pox and I had slight symptoms. And as to my knowledge have never had a reaction to poison ivy. So I guess it is possible we can become immune to Chicken Pox. And there are adult vaccines available. But I figure I'll just bide my time....