Varicella Zoster Vaccine (VARICELLA)

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➤ What is chickenpox? Chickenpox is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can become infected when you breathe in this air or touch contaminated surfaces. The virus may spread through contact with an infected person's saliva such as by sharing food, drinks, or cigarettes, or by kissing. It also spreads through contact with the fluid from chickenpox or shingles blisters. Children with chickenpox can have on average 350 red, itchy blisters. Infection in newborns, teenagers, adults, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems is more severe. Complications from chickenpox include pneumonia (lung infection), encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and bacterial infections of the skin. Encephalitis can lead to seizures, deafness, or brain damage. About 1 in 3,000 adults will die from the infection. Rarely, infection early in pregnancy can result in a baby being born with birth defects. This is known as congenital varicella syndrome. Babies may have a low birth weight, scars, and problems with their limbs, eyes, and brain. Chickenpox can also cause miscarriage or stillbirth. For some people, the virus can become active again later in life and cause a painful rash called shingles. ➤ What is the chickenpox vaccine? The chickenpox vaccine protects against the varicella-zoster virus, the virus that causes chickenpox. The vaccine contains a weakened form of the virus. ➤ Who should get the chickenpox vaccine? Children get the chickenpox vaccine in a series of 2 doses. The first dose is given at 12 months of age and the second dose is given at 4 to 6 years of age. For children who also need protection against measles, mumps, or rubella, the 2nd dose can be given as the combined measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine. Children get the vaccine at the same time as other childhood immunizations. Students in grade 6 who have not received 2 doses of the vaccine should also receive the vaccine.