You should not get the vaccine if you:
Talk to your doctor before getting the vaccine if you have the following conditions:
You should not get the vaccine if you:
Talk to your doctor before getting the vaccine if you have the following conditions:
n-and-polymyxin-b/overview
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
Immunizations/Vaccines
American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/immunizations.cfm/
National Immunization Program
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/
References:
Chickenpox (varicella) information. Rutgers University website. Available at: http://health.rutgers.edu/Immunizations/Varicella.htm . Accessed February 2, 2007.
Klein NP, Fireman B, Yih WK, et al. Vaccine Safety Datalink. Measles-mumps-rubella-varicella combination vaccine and the risk of febrile seizures. Pediatrics. 2010 Jul;126(1):e1-8.
Marin M, Broder KR, Temte JL, et al. Use of combination measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2010 May 7;59(RR-3):1-12.
MMRV and Febrile Seizures. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/Vaccines/MMRV/studyfeature.html . Updated July 2010. Accessed October 5, 2010.
Varicella chickenpox quick sheet. Arizona Department of Health Services website. Available at: http://azdhs.gov/phs/oids/epi/pdf/qs_varicella.doc . Accessed February 2, 2007.
Varicella (chickenpox) vaccination. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/varicella/default.htm . Accessed February 2, 2007.
1/31/2008 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended immunization schedules for persons aged 0-18 years—United States, 2008. MMWR. 2008;57;Q1-Q4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5701a8.htm . Updated January 10, 2008. Accessed January 28, 2008.
10/14/2008 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Macartney K, McIntryre P. Vaccines for post-exposure prophylaxis against varicella (chickenpox) in children and adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008;(3):CD001833.
This is a live virus vaccine that is given by injection. The varicella vaccine can also be given in a combination vaccine called the MMRV. This protects against measles , mumps , rubella , and varicella .
In the event of an outbreak, people who have not had the virus or the vaccine should be vaccinated.
Varicella , commonly called chickenpox, is a highly contagious infection. It is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). It produces an itchy rash. It can cause serious complications, especially in adults, newborns, or people with suppressed immune systems.
VZV spreads from person to person by:
It is most contagious just after the rash has broken out. It is also contagious 1-2 days before the rash erupts and until all of the blisters have crusted.
Varicella occurs most often in the late winter and early spring. It is most common in children. Peak incidence happens between ages 5-9 years. Others at risk include:
Symptoms include:
It takes about 10-21 days after contact with an infected person to develop varicella. The illness lasts 5-10 days. The rash usually develops on the skin above the waist, including the scalp. It may also appear on the eyelids, in the mouth, upper airway, or voice box, or on the genitals.
Treatment generally focuses on reducing itchiness, such as using anti-itch cream. For rashes that become infected, antibiotics may be used. Antiviral drugs may be given to teens and adults. For newborns and people with compromised immune systems, immune globulin is given right after exposure.
The vaccine is recommended for most children aged 12-15 months. The second dose is given between ages 4-6 years.
For those who have not been vaccinated, the CDC recommends the following schedule:
If your child has not been vaccinated but has been exposed to chickenpox, getting vaccinated within three days can help lessen the virus or protect him from getting it.
The varicella vaccine, like all vaccines, can cause problems, such as severe allergic reaction. The risk of serious harm or death is extremely small. Most people do not have any problems with the vaccine.
The most common complaints are:
Less commonly, seizure caused by fever, pneumonia , or other serious problems (eg, low blood count) have been reported after the vaccine. There is some evidence that children are more likely to have seizures after getting the vaccine if they are given the MMRV vaccine as the first dose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that parents be advised of the risk of fever and seizure and have the option to choose the combined or separate vaccine.
You should not get the vaccine if you:
Talk to your doctor before getting the vaccine if you have the following conditions:
