Digital Nostalgia and Vaccine Skepticism Fuel Resurgence of 'Chickenpox Parties'

A recent report by WIRED highlights the resurfacing of "chickenpox parties," a practice where parents intentionally expose children to the varicella-zoster virus to build natural immunity. Once a common strategy before routine vaccination became standard, the trend is being revived through social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook, driven by persistent vaccine skepticism and the spread of misinformation.

The concept originated from the belief that contracting the disease in childhood was inevitable and safer than facing severe complications as an adult. Maureen Tierney, associate dean of clinical research and public health at Creighton University, explained that parents sought to have children "get it over and done with" when they were at the lowest risk of severe outcomes. However, medical experts now warn that the virus can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and meningitis, in approximately three in every 1,000 infected individuals.

Vaccination programmes have drastically reduced infection rates globally. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates a 97 per cent drop in reported cases in the US since the vaccine's introduction. Similar declines have been recorded in Uruguay, with a 94 per cent reduction, Canada at 93 per cent, and Spain by more than 80 per cent. Despite these successes, the virus remains dormant in many individuals and can resurface decades later as shingles, which is associated with chronic nerve pain and increased risks of heart attack and stroke.

The digital age has provided new avenues for these outdated practices. TikTok creator Hannah Grabau Kugel recently posted an ironic invitation to "grass-fed, free-range mamas" to host a chickenpox party, reflecting a broader trend observed in parenting groups. The reality of the risk was underscored last year when a UK children’s indoor activity centre owner intervened to stop a planned party, describing the idea as "shocking and selfish."

Public health officials are concerned that the anti-vax movement, exacerbated by post-pandemic vaccine hesitancy, could lead to a resurgence of preventable diseases. Jill Morgan, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, cited the 2,288 confirmed measles cases in the US in 2025—the highest number since 1991—as a warning sign. She expressed concern that similar outbreaks could occur with chickenpox if vaccination rates decline due to the spread of misinformation online.