Introduction:
Varicella, also called chickenpox, causes an itchy rash that lasts for about a week. The varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox. The symptoms of chickenpox include itchy spots, fever, blisters all over the body, tiredness, loss of appetite, and headache. It is usually mild and is present for five to ten days. People with weak immunity are susceptible to getting this disease. The chickenpox vaccine is a shot that protects people from catching chickenpox. The chickenpox vaccine is made from live but weakened or attenuated viruses. It can spread through direct contact or air by coughing or sneezing if someone comes in contact with the fluid from chickenpox blisters. The chickenpox vaccine is very effective in preventing the disease.
What Are the Types of Chickenpox Vaccines?
The two chickenpox vaccines licensed in the United States are Varivax and ProQuad.
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Varivax - Varivax contains only the chickenpox vaccine. It is for children 12 months and older, adolescents, and adults. It can be given in two doses at ages 12 through 15 months and four through six years.
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ProQuad - This vaccine contains a combination of (MMRV) measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine. It is used for children aged 12 months through 12 years. It is given in two doses.
Who Should Get the Chickenpox Vaccine?
The chickenpox vaccine is recommended for:
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People Under 13 Years of Age - People below 13 should get two doses. The first dose should be given at the age of 12 through 15 months and the second dose at the age of four through six years.
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People Above 13 Years of Age and Older - People with no history of chickenpox should get two doses at least 28 days apart.
The chickenpox vaccination is very important for
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Childcare workers.
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College students.
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Teachers.
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Healthcare professionals.
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People with weak immune systems.
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Military personnel.
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Residents and staff of nursing homes.
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Hospital staff and nurses.
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International travelers.
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Non-pregnant women of childbearing age.
Who Should Not Get the Chickenpox Vaccine?
One should avoid vaccination if they have evidence of immunity against the disease. The people who should not get the chickenpox vaccine or should wait are:
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Pregnant women should avoid getting the chickenpox vaccine, or they should wait to get the chickenpox vaccine till they give birth. Also, women should not get pregnant for one month after getting the chickenpox vaccine.
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Moderately or severely ill during the time of their shot should wait until they recover before getting a chickenpox vaccine.
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People should avoid the chickenpox vaccine if they previously had an allergic reaction to the dose of the chickenpox vaccine or is allergic to any ingredient of the vaccine.
Talk with a healthcare provider if the following conditions are present before getting the chickenpox vaccine:
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People suffering from human immunodeficiency syndrome.
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People who have any kind of cancer or undergoing radiation therapy.
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People are being treated with drugs that affect the immune system.
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Recent history of blood transfusion.
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People should check for any kind of immune system problems running in the family.
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People who are on Aspirin (salicylates).
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People who have tuberculosis.
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History of any other vaccine from the past four weeks.
How Is the Chickenpox Vaccine Administered?
Administering the vaccine for children aged 12 months through 12 years:
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Two doses of 0.5 ml each should be given subcutaneously at intervals of three months.
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The first dose of the chickenpox vaccine is given when a child is between 12 and 15 months old. They receive a booster shot between 4 to 6 years of age. Varicella and MMR vaccines can be separately given to children.
Administering the vaccine for children aged 13 years and above:
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Two doses of 0.5 ml each of the single-antigen varicella vaccine are given subcutaneously at the interval of four to eight weeks.
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MMRV vaccine is not recommended for people in this age group.
How Is the Chickenpox Vaccine Stored?
Vaccine storage and handling play an important role in protecting individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. The vaccine storage and handling toolkit include considerations for equipment storage units and temperature monitoring devices, strategies for maintaining the cold chain, inventory management, routine storage, and handling practices, and emergency procedures for protecting vaccine inventories. The vaccine must be stored in freezing temperatures.
What Are the Side Effects of the Chickenpox Vaccine?
All the vaccines have potential side effects, but the side effects associated with the varicella vaccine are generally mild. The side effects of the varicella vaccine include pain, swelling, redness at the injection site, and a small rash around the site of injection.
What Are the Risks of Chickenpox Vaccine?
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Serious reactions to the chickenpox vaccine are rare. These can include infection of the brain or spinal cord, seizures associated with fever, and pneumonia.
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In people with a weak immune system, vaccines can cause a life-threatening infection, so people with weak immune systems should avoid the varicella vaccine.
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If there is any severe allergic reaction, report it to the healthcare provider immediately. Serious reactions include hives, swelling, increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, weakness, or dizziness.
How to Prevent Chickenpox?
Chickenpox can be prevented by getting a chickenpox vaccine. Everyone should get two doses of the chickenpox vaccine. The chickenpox vaccine is very safe and effective in preventing the disease. Most people will not get chickenpox.
Conclusion:
The chickenpox vaccine is not included in the standard childhood vaccination schedule. This vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies that will help in protecting against chickenpox.
