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The Chicken Pox (Varicella) vaccine

What is chicken pox?
Chicken pox is a disease caused by the varicella virus. It is a very contagious disease that affects almost all people. Prior to the use of the vaccine in 1995, chicken pox caused in the U.S.:

4 million cases each year
11,000 hospitalizations each year
100 deaths each year
Although it is a mild disease, chicken pox can be severe. Common problems include:

Secondary bacterial infections (including the "flesh eating" streptococcal bacteria that has been mentioned frequently in the news over the past few years)
Dehydration
Scarring
Pneumonia
Brain involvement (encephalitis)
Increased risk for blood clots

If my child develops chicken pox, what should I expect?
Chicken pox usually begins with a mild fever for one to two days prior to the development of the rash. The chicken pox rash usually begins on the trunk and scalp. Over the next three to four days, the rash will spread to the face, arms, and legs. On average, the rash will consist of 250 to 500 itchy blisters, which will turn into scabs over the next three to four days.

How long is a person with chicken pox contagious?
A child is contagious from one to two days before the rash starts until five to seven days after the rash appears (i.e. until all the blisters become scabs). Therefore, your child must stay at home until he/she is no longer contagious (up to 10 days).

How long after being exposed to chicken pox may my child develop the disease?
It takes about 10-21 days after exposure.

Why should my child receive the chicken pox vaccine?
The vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent disease and reduce complications. The reasons to vaccinate include:

• Reducing the complications of chicken pox (secondary bacterial infections, scars, pneumonia, brain damage, death, clotting problems)
• Reducing the number of days of school missed (a child will miss an average of 6-8 days of school if the get chicken pox)
• Reducing the risk of having shingles (zoster) in the future
• A requirement to enter the Georgia public school system

 When should my child get the chicken pox vaccine?                                                                                                                    The vaccine should be given at 12 months of age or at any age after that if your child has not had chicken pox.  A second does is usually given at 4-5 years of age. 

What are the side effects of the vaccine?
Studies have shown the vaccine to be safe and effective. Most people who get the vaccine do not have any problems with it. Common side effects include:

• Soreness at the site of the shot
• Fever occurring 1-2 weeks after getting the vaccine lasting 1-2 days
• A mild rash occurring 1-2 weeks after getting the vaccine consisting of several small bumps usually at the site of the shot
• After the second dose, redness and swelling lasting 2-3 days.

Your practitioner will discuss the vaccine with you at the one year check up (or any check up after that if your child has had neither the vaccine or the disease).

FOR MORE INFO:

Discuss with your practitioner or nurse 

CDC - Varicella