Chickenpox (varicella) is a common, very infectious childhood disease caused by the varicella virus. It appears as an itchy rash that looks like water blisters.
What are the risks of getting chickenpox disease?
Getting the chickenpox vaccine is much safer than getting the disease. |
How well does the vaccine work?
- About 97% of people given 2 doses of vaccine are protected against chickenpox. The other 3% usually have a milder case of chickenpox because of the vaccine.
What is in the vaccine?
- It has a tiny amount of the chickenpox virus that has been weakened so the vaccine doesn’t give you the disease.
- It has a very small amount of an antibiotic in it to prevent the cell culture from being contaminated with bacteria.
When is the vaccine given?
- The first dose is given at 12 months old and the second dose between 4-6 years old.
- 2 doses, 6 weeks apart are needed for anyone 13 years old or older who hasn’t already had chickenpox or the vaccine.
What are the risks with immunization?
- Some people will have a red, swollen and sore arm where the needle was given for 1-2 days after the immunization.
- Some will develop a mild fever and a few chickenpox-like spots 7-14 days after the vaccine.
- As with any vaccine, unexpected or unusual reactions can happen. Severe allergic reactions are very rare.
The following people should not be immunized with the chickenpox vaccine:
- children with severe allergies to components in the vaccine
- children with a weakened immune system (caused by illness or by taking certain types of medicine, like steroids)
- pregnant people