CHICKEN POX VACCINE

What you need to know:

1. Why get vaccinated?
Chickenpox (also called varicella) is a common childhood disease. It is usually mild, but it can be serious, especially in young infants and adults.

• It causes a rash, itching, fever, and tiredness.
• It can lead to severe skin infection, scars, pneumonia, brain damage, or death.
• The chickenpox virus can be spread from person to person through the air, or by contact with fluid from chickenpox blisters.
• A person who has had chickenpox can get a painful rash called shingles years later.

Varicella vaccine can prevent chickenpox.

Most people who get chickenpox vaccine will not get chickenpox. But if someone who has been vaccinated does get chickenpox, it is usually very mild. They will have fewer spots, are less likely to have a fever, and will recover faster.

2. Who should get chickenpox vaccine and when?
Routine

Children 12-18 months should receive routine immunization.

Susceptible children 19 months through 12 years should be immunized.

Immunization is desirable for 13 years and older susceptible persons at highest risk of exposure and transmitting disease that include:
Those who teach young children
Day care workers
College students
Residents/staff of institutional settings
Inmates/staff of correctional institutions
Military personnel
Non-pregnant women of childbearing age
International travelers

3. Some people should not get chickenpox vaccine or should wait
• People should not get chickenpox vaccine if they have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or (for those needing a second dose) a previous dose of chickenpox vaccine.

• People who are moderately or severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled should usually wait until they recover before getting chickenpox vaccine.

• Pregnant women should wait to get chickenpox vaccine until after they have given birth. Women should not get pregnant for 1 month after getting chickenpox vaccine.

• Some people should check with their doctor about whether they should get chickenpox vaccine, including anyone who:

- Has H.I.V./AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system
- Is being treated with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids, for 2 weeks or longer
- Has any kind of cancer
- Is gettiing cancer treatment with radiation or drugs

• People who recently had a transfusion or were given other blood products should ask their doctor when they may get chickenpox vaccine.

4. What are the risks from chickenpox vaccine?
Getting chickenpox vaccine is much safer than getting chickenpox disease.

However, a vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of chickenpox vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

Mild Problems
• Soreness or swelling where the shot was given (about 1 out of 5 children and up to 1 out of 3 adolescents and adults)

• Fever (1 person out of 10, or less)

• Mild rash, up to a month after vaccination (1 person out of 20, or less). It is possible for these people to infect other members of their household, but this is extremely rare.

Moderate Problems
• Seizure (jerking or staring) caused by fever (less than 1 person out of 1,000).

Severe Problems
• Pneumonia (very rare)

Other serious problems, including severe brain reactions and low blood count, have been reported after chickenpox vaccination. These are extremely rare.

5. What if there is a moderate or severe reaction
What should I look for?

Any unusual condition, such as a serious allergic reaction, high fever or behavior changes. Signs of a serious allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness,
weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness.

What should I do?

• Call a doctor, or get the person to a doctor right away.

• Tell your doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when the vaccination was given.

6. How can I learn more?
• Ask your doctor or nurse. They can give you the vaccine package insert or suggest other sources of information.

References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov (accessed February 2008) and Committee on Immunization, Philippine Society for Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (PSMID) & the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV). Handbook on Adult Immunization for Filipinos 2004.

© 2008 L.Y.F. Vaccination & Medical Services, Inc.
L.Y.F. Branches: *6750 Medical Clinic 2nd Floor, Fenina Bldg., 6750 Aguilar Ave (CAA Rd), Las Pinas City,
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