Learn about the importance of chickenpox vaccination and why getting vaccinated is crucial for your health and the well-being of your community.
Why do you need a vaccination against chickenpox, against this “mild”, “childhood” infection, which is better to get over early? Get over the disease and forget it, gaining immunity for life. This question is asked by many parents and just adults. Before answering it, let’s find out what kind of infection this is and why doctors are increasingly suggesting getting vaccinated rather than waiting for the disease.
Few people are afraid of getting chickenpox; moreover, some parents deliberately bring their healthy child to a sick child at a “chickenpox party” so that he gets infected as quickly as possible. Why chickenpox is not nearly as harmless as we used to think about it, and what nuances you need to know about the chickenpox vaccine – we’ll look into our article.
What is chicken pox
Chickenpox (or varicella) is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which belongs to the herpesvirus family. After illness, a stable immunity is developed, so usually people only get chickenpox once.
True, after an illness the virus does not go anywhere; it settles forever in the cells of our nervous system – only in a dormant state. And in the future (usually in old age) it can cause herpes zoster, or herpes zoster.
A patient with chickenpox becomes dangerous to others a few days before the first symptoms of the disease, when he feels completely healthy and goes to the garden, school or work. Then his temperature rises sharply to 39-40°C and signs of intoxication appear. And after 1-2 days, the most important thing begins – a red rash and small, fluid-filled blisters appear on the skin (and in severe cases, on the mucous membranes). The rash appears 10 to 21 days after infection and lasts 5 to 10 days.
Each blister goes through three phases: a papule phase (a small bump), a vesicle phase (a small bubble with liquid inside) and a final phase when it bursts and the liquid flows out and turns into a crust. Moreover, some bubbles burst, while others just appear.
Under no circumstances should the blisters be scratched (and they itch terribly!), and the scabs should not be torn off, because this can introduce a bacterial infection under the skin, which will cause scars that will remain with the person for many years.
Chickenpox is usually relatively mild, but in some cases the rash can cover the entire body, including the throat, eyes, anus, vagina, and urethra. And sometimes chickenpox can be severe or cause various complications.
What to do if you or your child gets chickenpox ? Or you think you have become infected. Try not to go out or meet anyone. If possible, call a doctor at home or notify your local pediatrician/general practitioner. Be sure to inform your doctor if:
- The rash has spread to the eyes and other mucous membranes.
- The rash has become warm and painful – a bacterial infection may be present.
- You experience dizziness, confusion, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, and other serious symptoms.
- If you live with people who have not had chickenpox or been vaccinated against chickenpox, or people who are immunocompromised. Especially if there are pregnant women in your family.
What you need to know about chickenpox
Treatment is not aimed at the disease itself, but at relieving unpleasant symptoms. Typically, antiseptic solutions are prescribed to lubricate the rash, antipyretics and antihistamines.
An important point – if you have chickenpox, you should not take acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) so as not to provoke the development of severe Reye’s syndrome.
| Main symptoms |
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| How it spreads | By airborne droplets, as well as through touch and objects. |
| Who is sick | People of any age and gender, but children get sick more often. At the same time, adults suffer from chickenpox much more severely, and they have a higher risk of complications. |
| At-risk groups |
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| When a patient is contagious | The incubation period is 10–21 days. A person is contagious 48 hours before the rash appears and until the last burst bubble has crusted over, on average 10-12 days. |
| Complications |
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Get vaccinated against chickenpox or get sick: which is better?
Chickenpox was a fairly common problem, especially in childcare settings, before the vaccine was available.
Children and adults who have recovered from the disease receive natural immunity and are no longer infected. The chickenpox vaccine also forms reliable artificial immunity: after vaccination, a person either does not get sick at all or gets over the infection very easily. Two doses of the vaccine prevent chickenpox in more than 90% of cases.
It is worth getting vaccinated against chickenpox, as it is often severe in children with weakened immune systems and in adults. Chickenpox is scary primarily because of its complications: encephalitis, meningitis, myocarditis.
If a pregnant woman becomes ill, the fetus may develop the so-called congenital chickenpox syndrome, characterized by multiple malformations and intrauterine growth retardation. And the woman herself may develop chickenpox pneumonia, which can lead to the death of the mother.
It is also important to note that if a person has been vaccinated, he will not get shingles, unlike a person who has recovered from the disease. And this is not the most pleasant and quite painful disease.
When should you get the chickenpox vaccine?
You should get the chickenpox vaccine if you have never had it. But does everyone remember what they were sick with in childhood? Not everything and not always. Therefore, your doctor may order an antibody blood test to assess your immune status and susceptibility to the virus.
Indications for children
Vaccination against chickenpox is included in the National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations for epidemic indications. It is given to children and adolescents at risk who have not previously had chickenpox. And any other children at the request of their parents or guardians. The main thing is that the child is over 12 months old at the time of vaccination and has not previously encountered this virus.
You should pay particular attention to the issue of vaccination if:
- the child has suppressed immune function or has concomitant pathologies that can provoke a severe course of the disease;
- the child goes to kindergarten, school or goes to camp.
Indications for adults
Vaccination against chickenpox is recommended for adults who do not have immunity, that is, they have not been sick and have not been vaccinated previously. It is especially worth considering the need for vaccination:
- people with immunodeficiencies, acute leukemia, other types of cancer and those taking medications that suppress the immune system;
- people who work with children (caregivers, teachers, coaches, counselors);
- women of childbearing age;
- students, conscripts, military and other people who spend a lot of time in groups;
- adults who live with small children;
- people who care for the elderly and immunocompromised patients.
Are there any contraindications to chickenpox vaccination?
Of course there is. Like all other vaccinations. In any case, before queuing up at the vaccination office, it is worth visiting a pediatrician or therapist who will assess your current condition and, if necessary, issue a referral for a blood test for antibodies.
Contraindications to the chickenpox vaccine are as follows:
- Pregnancy . If you are not immune to chickenpox and are planning a baby: do not become pregnant during vaccinations and for a month after the last dose of the vaccine.
- Allergy to vaccine components (eg, gelatin, neomycin antibiotic)
- If you are currently sick , especially with a fever, or your chronic disease has worsened.
- If you have recently (less than 3 months ago) been transfused with blood or its components.
- If you were vaccinated with any live vaccine (in the form of an injection) less than a month ago .
Where is the chickenpox vaccine given?
The chickenpox vaccine is given intramuscularly or subcutaneously, most often in the deltoid muscle of the shoulder or in the anterolateral region of the thigh. Please note that this vaccine is often given on the same day as other vaccines; this is absolutely normal.
Most often, in tandem with the chickenpox vaccine, there is a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. This point should be discussed with your doctor so that he can prescribe an individual vaccination schedule that is suitable for you.
Where can I get the chickenpox vaccine?
The chickenpox vaccination is done after an examination by a therapist or pediatrician in almost any vaccination office that is convenient for you to go to. Check the availability of the vaccine in advance – lately it can be difficult to “catch”.
Where to go to get vaccinated
- To the clinic to which you or your child are assigned. Most often, the vaccination is available, and you can get it free of charge under your compulsory medical insurance policy if indicated.
- In the vaccination office in hospitals , the medical unit or the student health center. The vaccination will most likely also be given free of charge under the compulsory medical insurance policy. Naturally, if it is available.
- To a commercial clinic – paid or free under the VHI policy, depending on the terms of the contract.
Side effects after chickenpox vaccination
Parents of children are especially worried about possible side effects from the vaccine. Numerous studies have shown that there is no need to worry: the vaccine is not only effective, but also safe. Side effects are usually mild and go away quickly.
What may concern you after vaccination:
- local reactions (pain at the injection site, redness or swelling),
- low temperature,
- In rare cases, a rash resembling chickenpox may occur.
How long does the chickenpox vaccine last?
After two doses of the vaccine, a person develops stable immunity. Thus, according to some data, 95% of vaccinated children under 5 years of age develop immunity to infection. Vaccination reliably protects against the disease for life. But if a person does get sick (this is possible in rare cases), then he tolerates the disease easily and without complications.
What vaccines against chickenpox exist and what are they called?
There are several effective chickenpox vaccines in the world. For example, two varicella vaccines are licensed for use in Europe and the United States: Varivax (monovaccine) and ProQuad (chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella).
There is currently one chickenpox vaccine available in Russia:
- Varilrix, produced by the British pharmaceutical company GSK. Varilrix is a live attenuated (weakened) monovaccine for children and adults.
Doctor’s review of chickenpox vaccination
The history of the chickenpox vaccine began quite a long time ago, back in the 70s of the last century in Japan. And since the mid-80s, mass vaccination of the population has already begun in Japan and Korea. This vaccine came to our country a little later, but now you can increasingly hear about the need for vaccination, especially for people at risk.
The chickenpox vaccine is a live vaccine, but the virus in it is greatly weakened and is not capable of causing the disease, but it forms immunity sufficient to protect against the disease.
Questions and answers
Together with an expert doctor, we answer the most popular questions about chickenpox vaccination.
What is the average price of a chickenpox vaccine?
Despite the fact that the chickenpox vaccination is not mandatory, in many clinics and hospitals it can be done free of charge under the compulsory medical insurance policy . Before making an appointment with a doctor, we recommend that you call the institution and find out whether the vaccine is available and whether vaccination is carried out under compulsory medical insurance.
Is it possible to get chickenpox immediately after vaccination?
Unfortunately yes. Stable immunity is formed within 6 weeks after vaccination and immediately after vaccination there is a possibility of illness if there was contact with the virus.
At what age is it best to get vaccinated against chickenpox?
Vaccination against chickenpox is carried out starting from 12 months, then at any age – in 2 stages (that is, 2 doses of the vaccine are administered) with intervals of 6 weeks between them. It is recommended to be vaccinated several months before the child goes to kindergarten (kindergarten, school, camp).
The same regimen (two doses of vaccine 6 weeks apart) is recommended for adults of any age who are not immune to chickenpox.
In addition, there is emergency prevention for those who were not sick, but were in contact with the sick. It is important to administer one dose of the vaccine within 96 (optimally 72) hours after a possible encounter with the virus. This will not protect 100%, but it will help reduce the risk of developing severe forms of chickenpox if infected. If a person does not get sick, then after 6-8 weeks the second stage of vaccination is carried out.
