Parent Resources
VIS—Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine
View spanish version, share, or print this article.
1. Why get vaccinated?
Chickenpox (also called varicella) is a common
childhood disease. It is usually mild, but it can be serious, especially in
young infants and adults.
-
It causes a rash, itching, fever, and
tiredness. -
It can lead to severe skin infection,
scars, pneumonia, brain damage, or death. -
The chickenpox virus can be spread from
person to person through the air, or by contact with fluid from
chickenpox blisters. -
A person who has had chickenpox can get
a painful rash called shingles years later. -
Before the vaccine, about 11,000 people
were hospitalized for chickenpox each year in the United States. -
Before the vaccine, about 100 people
died each year as a result of chickenpox in the United States.
Chickenpox vaccine can prevent chickenpox.
Most people who get chickenpox vaccine will not
get chickenpox. But if someone who has been vaccinated does get chickenpox, it
is usually very mild. They will have fewer blisters, are less likely to have a
fever, and will recover faster.
2. Who should get chickenpox vaccine and when?
Routine
Children who have never had chickenpox
should get 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine at these ages:
| 1st Dose: | 12-15 months of age |
| 2nd Dose: | 4-6 years of age (may be given earlier, if at least 3 months after the 1st dose) |
People 13 years of age and older (who have
never had chickenpox or received chickenpox vaccine) should get two doses at
least 28 days apart.
Catch-Up
Anyone who is not fully vaccinated, and
never had chickenpox, should receive one or two doses of chickenpox vaccine.
The timing of these doses depends on the person’s age. Ask your
provider.
Chickenpox vaccine may be given at the same
time as other vaccines.
| Note: A “combination” vaccine called MMRV, which contains both chickenpox and MMR vaccines, may be given instead of the two individual vaccines to people 12 years of age and younger. |
3. Some people should not get chickenpox vaccine or should wait
-
People should not get chickenpox vaccine
if they have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous
dose of chickenpox vaccine or to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin. -
People who are moderately or severely
ill at the time the shot is scheduled should usually wait until they
recover before getting chickenpox vaccine. -
Pregnant women should wait to get
chickenpox vaccine until after they have given birth. Women should not
get pregnant for 1 month after getting chickenpox vaccine. -
Some people should check with their
doctor about whether they should get chickenpox vaccine, including
anyone who:-
– Has HIV/AIDS or another
disease that affects the immune system -
– Is being treated with drugs
that affect the immune system, such as steroids, for 2 weeks or
longer -
– Has any kind of cancer
-
– Is getting cancer treatment
with radiation or drugs
-
-
People who recently had a transfusion or
were given other blood products should ask their doctor when they may
get chickenpox vaccine.
Ask your provider for more information.
4. What are the risks from chickenpox vaccine?
A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of
causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions.The risk of
chickenpox vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.
Getting chickenpox vaccine is much safer than
getting chickenpox disease. Most people who get chickenpox vaccine do not have
any problems with it. Reactions are usually more likely after the first dose
than after the second.
Mild Problems
-
Soreness or swelling where the shot
was given (about 1 out of 5 children and up to 1 out of 3
adolescents and adults) -
Fever (1 person out of 10, or
less) -
Mild rash, up to a month after
vaccination (1 person out of 25). It is possible for these people to
infect other members of their household, but this is extremely
rare.
Moderate Problems
-
Seizure (jerking or staring) caused
by fever (very rare).
Severe Problems
-
Pneumonia (very rare)
Other serious problems, including severe
brain reactions and low blood count, have been reported after chickenpox
vaccination. These happen so rarely experts cannot tell whether they are
caused by the vaccine or not. If they are, it is extremely rare.
Note: The first dose of
MMRV vaccine has been associated with rash and higher
rates of fever than MMR and varicella vaccines given separately. Rash
has been reported in about 1 person in 20 and fever in about 1 person in
5.
Seizures caused by a fever are also
reported more often after MMRV. These usually occur 5-12 days after the
first dose.
5. What if there is a moderate or severe reaction?
What should I look for?
-
Any unusual condition, such as a
high fever, weakness, or behavior changes. Signs of a serious
allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or
wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or
dizziness.
What should I do?
-
Call a doctor, or get
the person to a doctor right away. -
Tell your doctor what
happened, the date and time it happened, and when the vaccination
was given. -
Ask your provider to
report the reaction by filing a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting
System (VAERS) form.
Or you can file this report through the
VAERS website at
calling 1-800-822-7967.
6. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
A federal program has been created to help
people who may have been harmed by a vaccine.
For details about the National Vaccine Injury
Compensation Program, call 1-800-338-2382 or visittheir website at
7. How can I learn more?
-
Ask your provider. They can give you the
vaccine package insert or suggest other sources of information. -
Call your local or state health
department. -
Contact the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC):-
– Call 1-800-232-4636
(1-800-CDC-INFO) -
– Visit CDC website at:
www.cdc.gov/vaccines
-
Vaccine Information Statement (Interim)
Varicella Vaccine (3/13/08)
42 U.S.C. §300aa-26
Powered by RemedyConnect
disclaimer
Denver Data Feed
