Uses
Varicella (also called chickenpox) is a very contagious viral disease. It is caused by the varicella zoster virus. Chickenpox is usually mild, but it can be serious in infants under 12 months of age, adolescents, adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.
Chickenpox causes an itchy rash that usually lasts about a week. It can also cause:
- fever
- tiredness
- loss of appetite
- headache
More serious complications can include the following:
- skin infections
- infection of the lungs (pneumonia)
- inflammation of blood vessels
- swelling of the brain and/or spinal cord coverings (encephalitis or meningitis)
- bloodstream, bone, or joint infections
- Some people get so sick that they need to be hospitalized. It doesn’t happen often, but people can die from chickenpox. Before the varicella vaccine, almost everyone in the United States got chickenpox, an average of 4 million people each year.
- Children who get chickenpox usually miss at least 5 or 6 days of school or childcare.
- Some people who get chickenpox get a painful rash called shingles (also known as herpes zoster) years later.
- Chickenpox can spread easily from an infected person to anyone who has not had chickenpox and has not gotten the chickenpox vaccine.
Side Effects Of Varicella Vaccine
With any medicine, including vaccines, there is a chance of reactions. These are usually mild and go away on their own, but serious reactions are also possible.
Getting chickenpox vaccine is much safer than getting chickenpox disease. Most people who get the chickenpox vaccine do not have any problems with it.
After chickenpox vaccination, a person might experience:
If these events happen, they usually begin within 2 weeks after the shot. They occur less often after the second dose.
- Sore arm from the injection
- Fever
Redness or rash at the injection site following chickenpox vaccination is rare. They can include the following:
- Seizure (jerking or staring) often associated with fever
- Infection of the lungs (pneumonia) or the brain and spinal cord coverings (meningitis)
- Rash all over the body
A person who develops a rash after chickenpox vaccination might be able to spread the varicella vaccine virus to an unprotected person. Even though this happens very rarely, anyone who gets a rash should stay away from people with weakened immune systems and unvaccinated infants until the rash goes away. Talk with your healthcare provider to learn more.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Sitting or lying down for about 15 minutes can help prevent fainting and injuries caused by a fall. Tell your doctor if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
Some people get shoulder pain that can be more severe and longer-lasting than routine soreness that can follow injections. This happens very rarely.
Any medication can cause a severe allergic reaction. Such reactions to a vaccine are estimated at about 1 in a million doses and would happen within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a serious injury or death.
Warnings & Precautions
Tell your vaccine provider if the person getting the vaccine:
- Has any severe, life-threatening allergies. A person who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of the chickenpox vaccine, or has a severe allergy to any part of this vaccine, may be advised not to be vaccinated. Ask your healthcare provider if you want information about vaccine components.
- Is pregnant, or thinks she might be pregnant. Pregnant women should wait to get the chickenpox vaccine until after they are no longer pregnant. Women should avoid getting pregnant for at least 1 month after getting a chickenpox vaccine.
- Has a weakened immune system due to disease (such as cancer or HIV/AIDS) or medical treatments (such as radiation, immunotherapy, steroids, or chemotherapy).
- Has a parent, brother, or sister with a history of immune system problems.
- Is taking salicylates (such as aspirin). People should avoid using salicylates for 6 weeks after getting the varicella vaccine.
- Has recently had a blood transfusion or received other blood products. You might be advised to postpone chickenpox vaccination for 3 months or more.
- Has tuberculosis.
- Has gotten any other vaccines in the past 4 weeks. Live vaccines given too close together might not work as well.
- Is not feeling well. A mild illness, such as a cold, is usually not a reason to postpone a vaccination. Someone who is moderately or severely ill should probably wait. Your doctor can advise you.
Dosage Of Varicella Vaccine
Children 12 months through 12 years of age should get 2 doses of the chickenpox vaccine, usually:
- First dose: 12 through 15 months of age
- Second dose: 4 through 6 years of age
People 13 years of age or older who didn’t get the vaccine when they were younger, and have never had chickenpox, should get 2 doses at least 28 days apart.
A person who previously received only one dose of chickenpox vaccine should receive a second dose to complete the series. The second dose should be given at least 3 months after the first dose for those younger than 13 years, and at least 28 days after the first dose for those 13 years of age or older.
There are no known risks to getting chickenpox vaccine at the same time as other vaccines.
Other
Ask your healthcare provider. He or she 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):
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
