Dr. Lynn Cates
Specializing in pediatric infectious diseases and childhood immunizations.
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 Ask Dr. Cates
Chickenpox Vaccine Pros and Cons | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Cates,
What is your recommendation regarding the chickenpox vaccine that is currently available?— Three Boys in California | | | ANSWER |
October 9, 2000 | | | Dear Three Boys,
I was very glad to see the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine licensed in 1995. Even though chickenpox is usually a mild disease, before the vaccine was available, 11,000 people were hospitalized and about 100 died from complications of chickenpox in the United States each year.
Since 1975, when testing first began, the vaccine has been given to millions of children. It is administered in the form of an injection (shot). Overall, this vaccine prevents 85 to 90 percent of all cases of chickenpox, and 100 percent of moderate to severe cases. Some children have mild reactions, such as a rash or soreness or swelling at the injection site, and only rarely does the vaccine cause serious side effects.
There really is no question that your child is much more likely to develop a serious problem from chickenpox disease than from the vaccine. For that reason it is not advisable to hold "chickenpox parties" or do anything else to help expose your children to chickenpox in the hopes that they will get infected and then be protected from the disease in later life. It is much safer to become immune by getting the vaccine.
Currently, in the United States, the chickenpox vaccine is recommended for all children beginning on their first birthday. Only one dose is needed for children up through 12 years of age. People who are 13 years or older who have not received the vaccine need two doses separated by four to eight weeks.
If you have further questions, I recommend that you talk to your child's healthcare provider. You also can get good information on chickenpox vaccine at these websites: www.cdc.gov/nip and www.immunizationinfo.org. — by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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