Chicken Pox

What is the chicken pox – or varicella – vaccine?
This relatively new vaccine – varicella is the medical name for chicken pox – immunizes children against chicken pox. It’s only been available for a couple of years.

What are the symptoms of chicken pox ?
Symptoms of chicken pox resemble those of the common cold: Your baby has a runny nose and has developed a mild fever. Next comes a rash that may look like small insect bites, usually starting on the scalp and trunk, then moving to the face and legs, and eventually covering most of the body. In a few days, the raised spots turn into blisters and the rash turns itchy. The blisters will crust over and heal on their own, but most children will scratch.

Why is it important to get this vaccination done?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the vaccine for all children and adults with no history of the disease have the inoculation.

The disease is very uncomfortable, and many infants and toddlers can’t help scratching themselves. Scratching leads to infection, and the blisters can leave scars. The virus is extremely contagious; having high chances of infection to contacts. In rare cases, a child can come down with secondary infections associated with chicken pox – Pneumonia and encephalitis.

A child ill with chicken pox will need to stay home for at least ten days, until all the blisters crust over and he’s no longer contagious. If you and your partner both work and your child is in a group daycare situation or school, this means that one of you will need to stay home to care for him.

Are there any side effects associated with this vaccine?
There may be soreness at the injection site.Irritability and fever may occur for a few hours rarely it’s estimated that about 1-3 % of children who are vaccinated will come down with a very mild case of chicken pox. It’s estimated that vaccine is 80 % effective in preventing the disease, and so up to 20% of those inocculated may get a mild case.

Who should be immunized for chicken pox?
Active immunization is indicated in all children from the age of 12 months onwards. Susceptible healthy contacts should get immunized to prevent virus transmission.

What is the dosage schedule & how is it given?
From 12 months to 12 years of age – 1 dose.
13 years and above – 2 doses with an interval of 6-10 weeks.
The vaccine is given subcutaneously.

Are there any conditions when the vaccine should not be given?

• » Should not be given to persons suffering from acute severe febrile illness.
• » It is also contraindicated in pregnant women.
• » Immuno-compromised (who have decreased disease fighting ability) individuals as those with HIV/AIDS or those who are taking chemotherapy treatment for cancers.
• » Immunization should be delayed for three months at least if the person has received a blood transfusion.

Suggested Reading -
Chicken Pox Vaccine - Is it for me? and my Kids? - Experts have a differing opinion on whether this normal childhood illness should be prevented by a vaccine or not.

Chicken Pox - Chicken Pox is a common illness of childhood which is very contagious. Find out to manage if your child has chicken pox or how to prevent others if someone has chickenpox.