Varicella vaccine protects against the varicella virus, which commonly causes chickenpox infection. Chickenpox is primarily a childhood disease but can also cause herpes zoster (shingles) in adulthood. Herpes zoster results from the reactivation of dormant varicella virus sequestered in the dorsal nerve root ganglia of the spinal cord. Chickenpox is highly contagious and can be contracted through contact with an infected person’s blisters, contaminated items, or droplets from coughing and sneezing.
How the Vaccine Works
The varicella vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine derived from the Oka strain of the varicella-zoster virus. It works by stimulating your child’s immune system to produce antibodies against the varicella virus, providing protection against chickenpox and reducing the risk of shingles.
What Age Should My Child Get the Vaccine?
The varicella vaccine is administered as follows:
• Children under 13 years: A single dose.
• Adolescents and adults: Two doses, administered 4-8 weeks apart.
Combination vaccines, such as MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella), can be administered to children aged 9 months to 12 years as a two-dose schedule with a minimum interval of 4 weeks between the two doses.
How Many Doses of the Vaccine Does My Child Need?
• Children under 13 years: A single dose.
• Adolescents and adults: Two doses, administered 4-8 weeks apart.
• Combination vaccines (e.g., MMRV): Two doses, with a minimum interval of 4 weeks between the two doses.
• Children under 13 years: A single dose.
• Adolescents and adults: Two doses, administered 4-8 weeks apart.
Combination vaccines, such as MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella), can be administered to children aged 9 months to 12 years as a two-dose schedule with a minimum interval of 4 weeks between the two doses.
How Many Doses of the Vaccine Does My Child Need?
• Children under 13 years: A single dose.
• Adolescents and adults: Two doses, administered 4-8 weeks apart.
• Combination vaccines (e.g., MMRV): Two doses, with a minimum interval of 4 weeks between the two doses.
Benefits
• Prevention of Chickenpox: The varicella vaccine can prevent chickenpox, a highly contagious disease.
• Reduced Risk of Shingles: Vaccination helps reduce the risk of shingles (herpes zoster) in adulthood.
• Protection for High-Risk Groups: Immunosuppressed individuals and those at high risk of severe disease benefit significantly from vaccination.
• Reduced Risk of Shingles: Vaccination helps reduce the risk of shingles (herpes zoster) in adulthood.
• Protection for High-Risk Groups: Immunosuppressed individuals and those at high risk of severe disease benefit significantly from vaccination.
Risks and Side Effects
• Common Side Effects: These include soreness at the injection site, fever, and mild rash.
• Rare but Serious Side Effects: Allergic reactions are rare but possible.
• Rare but Serious Side Effects: Allergic reactions are rare but possible.
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