What is chicken pox?
Chicken pox is a highly contagious disease caused by infection with the varicella zoster virus,
which causes fever and an itchy rash. The rash typically consists of between 200 and 500 blister-like lesions covering
the body that are usually concentrated on the face, scalp, and trunk. Chicken pox can be spread from an infected person
who sneezes, coughs, or shares food or drink, even before the infected person has any symptoms.
Adolescents and adults who contract chicken pox are more at risk for severe symptoms than children are.
What is the Varicella vaccine?
Varicella vaccine is a series of two shots that can protect nearly everyone who gets it from chicken pox.
The first should be given at the age of 12-18 months; the second shot should be given at 4 – 6 years of age.
Older children and adults should have two shots as well, with the second shot occurring at least 28 days after the first shot.
Most people will get chicken pox at some point in their lives unless they have gotten the varicella vaccine.
Who should get the Varicella vaccine?
Varicella is recommended for all children under age 13 who have not had chicken pox.
It is also recommended for all adolescents and adults who have not been vaccinated and have not had chicken pox.
People who have had chicken pox do not need to get the vaccine, since a person is unlikely to get chicken pox twice.
Take Care ClinicsSM offer the Varicella vaccine to patients ages 7 and older.
Who should not get the Varicella vaccine?
Anyone who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a
previous dose of chicken pox vaccine or to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin should not get the varicella vaccine.
Anyone who is moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting the vaccine.
Pregnant women should wait to get the vaccine until after they have given birth.
Women should not get pregnant for one month after getting the vaccine.
People with the following characteristics should check with their healthcare provider about whether they should get the vaccine:
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Has HIV/AIDS, or another disease that affects the immune system
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Being treated with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids, for two weeks or longer
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Has any kind of cancer
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Is taking cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs
People who recently had a transfusion or were given other blood products should ask their healthcare provider when they may get the varicella vaccine.