Chicken pox vaccine

Shepherd Public School

Varicella vaccine is a vaccine developed to prevent the disease commonly referred to as chicken pox. Many parents believe that chicken pox is a harmless disease. In fact, Varicella or chicken pox kills at least one child and one adult a week in the U.S. It results in hospitalization of about 10,000 people a year in the U.S. Although immune-suppressed persons are at greater risk of complications, the majority of complications occur in previously healthy people. The vaccine works! It is extremely effective in preventing severe disease. It is very effective in preventing varicella altogether. Long-term effectiveness data is available from Japan. Adults are still well protected. Breakthrough disease is milder than in unimmunized people. The Michigan Department of Community Health requires that children entering a new school district must have varicella vaccination or proof of immunity. All children between 15 months and five years of age enrolled in child care centers are required to show proof of immunity or receive the vaccine. Within a few years many children will have received the vaccine. Children not vaccinated will not be exposed and therefore will become susceptible as adults. Adults who have not had chicken pox should get a blood test to see if they have protection. If you are not protected, you should get the varicella vaccine. Protection is important because chickenpox is a very serious illness in adults. Protection for children is equally important. Talk to your health care provider and make that appointment today!