The chicken pox or varicella vaccine protects against  chicken pox. Chicken pox is a common viral and very contagious disease.

Who should get the chicken pox vaccine and when ?

The vaccine comprises of two shots at least three months apart.

Schedule

 
• between 12 – 15 months of age
• between 4 and 6 years – It may be given earlier if it is at least 3 months after the first dose.

 
If you are 13 years or older and have never had chicken pox or received the vaccine, you should get the 2 doses at least 28 days apart.

This vaccine may be given at the same time with other vaccines. It may be bundled with the vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella in one shot, called the MMRV (measles-mumps-rubella-varicella) to people 12 years and younger.

Who should not get the vaccine ?

You don’t have to get the vaccine if you fall into this category :

 
• if you have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose of chickenpox vaccine or to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin

Who should wait ?

Children who are sick at the time of the shot should wait until they get better to receive the shot.

Pregnant women should wait until after giving birth before getting the vaccine. You should not get the vaccine for about one month after receiving the vaccine.

Check with your doctor if you need to get the vaccine if you fall into the following category :

 
• have HIV/AIDS or any disease that suppresses the immune system
• have any kind of cancer
• receiving cancer treatment with radiation or drugs
•  being treated with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids, for 2 weeks or longer

 
If you recently had blood transfusion or received any blood product ,ask your doctor when you should get the vaccine.

Risk associated with the chicken pox vaccine.

A vaccine like  any medication can cause serious allergic reaction however this risk is very small. Getting the vaccine is much safer than getting chicken pox. Most people however receive this vaccine with no issues at all.

Mild problems : These include :

 
• soreness or swelling at the site if injection
• mild rash
• fever

 
Moderate problems : This is rare and may include seizures.

Severe problems : This is also rare and includes pneumonia.

What should I do if my child has a serious allergic reaction ?

Look for the following signs in your signs in your child

 
• very high fever
• behavioral change
• allergic reactions such as  difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, hives, swelling of face and throat, dizziness and weakness

 
If your child is experiencing any of these call your emergency number or 911 immediately. After that you or your doctor should  report it  to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) through the VAERS website or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
 
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