The Chickenpox Vaccine

Chickenpox is caused by a virus. Because this virus is easy to catch, most people catch it during childhood. Chickenpox is usually a mild illness that involves a blister-like rash, itching, slight fever, and tiredness. However, chickenpox can cause problems such as scarring of the skin, skin infections, and pneumonia. Rarely, more serious illness can occur, such as inflammation of the brain. A few people die every year in Canada from chickenpox.

A new vaccine is now available to help prevent chickenpox. Eighty-five per cent of vaccinated people will not get chickenpox. In those few people who are vaccinated and later catch chickenpox, the illness and rash are usually mild and don't last long.

People who have been vaccinated against chickenpox are less likely to get shingles later in life than those who are not vaccinated. And, if shingles does develop, it is usually much milder with a faster recovery time.

You should not receive the vaccine if you:

• Have had a serious allergic reaction to a substance in the chickenpox vaccine
• Are ill
• Are pregnant or wishing to become pregnant within the next three months
• Are breastfeeding
• Take steroid medications (except inhaled steroids)
• Take salicylate or salicylate containing medications
• Have had blood or other transfusions, or immune globulin in the last 5 months
• Have problems of the immune system such as HIV or AIDS; cancer, lymphoma, or leukemia; congenital diseases of the immune system
• Have a family history of a hereditary disease of the immune system

The vaccine for chickenpox is given as an injection, usually in the arm. Children who are 12 months to 12 years old get only one shot. People who are 13 years of age or older get two shots, four to eight weeks apart. More research is needed to find out exactly how long protection lasts. Right now, no booster shots are recommended.

The vaccine is generally well-tolerated. Occasionally, people experience soreness, fever, rash, redness, or a bit of swelling where they have been injected. If fever does occur, acetaminophen may be given.

All vaccinated people, particularly people who develop a blister-like rash, should wherever possible avoid close contact with those listed below for six weeks after each injection.

• Pregnant women who have not had chickenpox
• Newborn infants whose mothers have not had chickenpox
• People who are very ill or who have weakened immune systems

Ask your doctor if vaccination is right for you or your child.