Rhys' Story

Every so often, a personal story emerges that vividly illustrates the vital importance of immunisation. Today, we share one such story, made possible by the incredible bravery of Rhys and his mum, Lindy.

Many people don't realise that #shingles, a condition causing painful rashes and nerve pain, is actually caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After someone recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in their body and can reactivate years later as shingles. This is what happened to 11-year-old Rhys, an Australian boy whose family currently resides in France.

Rhys was first exposed to the varicella-zoster (chickenpox) virus when he was just a week old. Later, when Rhys was old enough for vaccination and the chickenpox vaccine was optional in France, Lindy consulted their GP. Knowing Rhys's history of early exposure, the GP advised against the vaccination, suggesting that since he had already been exposed, it might not be necessary. Lindy also honestly thought, "it's just chickenpox." This common belief, that chickenpox is a mild childhood illness to "get out of the way," and the GP's advice, led to the decision not to vaccinate. It was only later, in 2023, that Rhys had an extremely mild case of chickenpox – so mild, his mum Lindy almost forgot about it! Lindy recalls, "Childhood milestone of chickenpox - check! as it were, and back to school the following week."

When the varicella-zoster virus reactivated for Rhys, it became ocular shingles, leading to a week in hospital and serious concerns about losing sight in one eye. Even now, months later, Rhys endures daily "lightning bolt" pain in his face, requiring ongoing specialist care. Lindy shared her raw experience of holding her son down for injections and painful eye appointments – moments no parent ever wants to face.

Lindy courageously shared with us, "If I had my time again, I'd go back to that moment and ensure he got that jab." Her honesty is a powerful reminder that we learn and grow in our understanding of health. The very idea of "chickenpox parties" makes her "sick" because she now understands the profound, preventable suffering that this vaccine can avert.

Thank you, Rhys and Lindy, for your incredible bravery in sharing this powerful story. Your courage helps us all understand the true impact of this disease, empowering us to make informed choices that protect families and communities from preventable diseases.