Chickenpox Vaccine

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is the chickenpox vaccine? A chickenpox vaccine is a shot of medicine that helps prevent infection with varicella (chickenpox). Chickenpox is a common childhood infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (germ). This virus spreads from person to person by inhaling the virus from the air. Coming into contact with the fluid in chickenpox blisters (fluid-filled lesions) may also spread the virus. Chickenpox causes fever, fatigue (feeling tired more than usual), and itchy rashes that usually appear over the entire body. The rashes turn into small blisters and dry up to form scabs. This disease can lead to severe (very bad) skin infections, scars, pneumonia (infection of the lungs), brain damage, or death. Chickenpox may develop later on in life into zoster (shingles) infection, years after having chickenpox.

How does the chickenpox vaccine work?

• The chickenpox vaccine helps decrease your risk of becoming infected with chickenpox. Those who have been vaccinated but still get infected with chickenpox may have milder symptoms. Vaccines work by causing your body to make antibodies against certain germs. Antibodies are special cells in your blood that protect the body and fight infection. After you receive the chickenpox vaccine, these antibodies remember the chickenpox virus. Once you are exposed to these types of germs, your body quickly recognizes them. The antibodies become active and your body is better able to fight the germs.
  
  
• The vaccine is made from live chickenpox germs that are weakened. It is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) and maybe given into the leg or arm. In very few cases, the vaccine can cause actual infection to the patient. There are two types of chickenpox vaccines. These are the single chickenpox vaccine, and the vaccine that is combined with other vaccines.

Who should get the chickenpox vaccine? The following people who never had the chickenpox infection may receive the chickenpox vaccine:

• Children between 12 to 18 months of age should get one dose of chickenpox vaccine. Those 19 months to 12 years of age who never got the vaccine should also receive one.
  
  
• Two doses of the vaccine are given to those over 13 years of age who never received the vaccine. These doses are usually given 4 to 8 weeks apart. This group of people includes any of the following:
  
  
  • All caregivers, daycare center workers, college students, military personnel, and staff and inmates in prison.
    
    
  • People who are traveling to areas where chickenpox is common.
    
    
  • Those who live in households with children.

Who should not get a chickenpox vaccine? Chickenpox vaccine should not be given if there is a higher risk of bad effects caused by the vaccine. Your caregiver may consider any of the following before giving you the chickenpox vaccine:

• Chickenpox vaccine should not be given if there is life-threatening allergic reaction to any of the following:
  
  
  • Antibiotic medicine, especially neomycin.
    
    
  • Gelatin.
    
    
  • Previous shot of the chickenpox vaccine.
  
  
• Receiving the chickenpox vaccine may be delayed in the following:
  
  
  • Being moderately or severely (badly) ill with or without fever. Your caregiver may wait until your condition improves.
    
    
  • Pregnant women should wait to get the vaccine until after giving birth. Those who are trying to get pregnant should also delay their shot. Women should not get pregnant for one month after getting the vaccine.
  
  
• Ask caregivers whether you should get the chickenpox vaccine in any of the following conditions:
  
  
  • Being treated with medicines that affect the immune system, such as steroids.
    
    
  • Diseases that weaken the immune system. The immune system is the part of our bodies that normally fights off sickness and disease. A weak immune system may be caused by cancer, HIV or AIDS, inborn immune deficiency, or taking medicines, such as chemotherapy.
    
    
  • Receiving antibody-containing blood products for the past 3 to 11 months.
    
    
  • Having an untreated, active tuberculosis (TB).
    
    
  • Having a family history of a weak immune system.

What are the risks of getting the chickenpox vaccine? As with any medicine, this vaccine has some risks. There is a very small chance that the vaccine can actually cause chickenpox. The person who received the vaccine or those who are in close contact with him may get infected. You may have swelling, tenderness, or infection in the area where the injection was given. As with any vaccine, there is a very small chance that it could cause serious harm or death.

What are the signs and symptoms of a serious reaction to the chickenpox vaccine? A serious reaction may have any of the following signs and symptoms:

• Hives (red, itchy bumps with burning feeling on the skin) that have spread all over the body.
  
  
• Loss of consciousness.
  
  
• Pneumonia (lung infection).
  
  
• Redness or swelling of the face.
  
  
• Swelling of the mouth and throat.
  
  
• Weakness, dizziness, or a fast heartbeat.
  
  
• Wheezing or trouble breathing.

What should I do if I develop a serious reaction to the chickenpox vaccine?

• If you develop signs and symptoms of a serious reaction, seek medical care immediately . If you are having an allergic reaction, lie down with your legs up and have someone drive you to the nearest hospital or call 911. Make sure you tell the caregivers that you received a chickenpox vaccine. Tell them the date and time it was given. Ask your caregiver to put in a Vaccine Adverse Event Report or contact the following:
  • Vaccine Adverse Event Report
    Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
    1401 Rockville Pike, Ste 200N
    Rockville, MD 20852-1448
    Phone: 1-800-835-4709
    Web Address: www.fda.gov/cber/vaers/vaers.htm
    
  
  
  
• If you were injured after receiving the chickenpox vaccine, you may file a claim to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program . This is a federal program that helps pay for the care of anyone seriously injured or harmed by a vaccine. Contact information:
  • Health Resources and Services Administration National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
    Parklawn Building, Room 11C-26, 5600 Fishers Lane
    Rockville , MD 20857
    Phone: 1-800-338-2382
    Web Address: http://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/
    

Where can I get more information on chickenpox vaccine? Contact the following for more information:

• The National Immunization Program Public Inquiries
  1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-05
  Atlanta, GA 30333
  Phone: 1-800-232-4636
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/
  

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  PO Box 11210
  Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
  Phone: 1-913-906-6000
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• American Academy of Pediatrics
  141 Northwest Point Boulevard
  Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098
  Phone: 1-847-434-4000
  Web Address: http://www.aap.org
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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