Chickenpox - vaccine

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Chickenpox	Chickenpox, acute pneumonia - chest X-ray	Chickenpox - close-up	Chickenpox - lesion on the leg
Chickenpox - lesions on the chest

Chickenpox vaccine is also effective for the prevention of chickenpox in unimmunized children recently exposed to chickenpox (post-exposure immunization). Consult your doctor if you believe that your child has been exposed.

RISKS

The side effects from the chickenpox vaccine are generally minor.

Some of the mild possible side effects include:

• Fever
• Pain and swelling in the shot location
• A mild rash

Only in very rare instances have more moderate or severe reactions been reported, including:

• Seizures (less than 1 out of 1,000 children).
• Pneumonia (very rare).
• A true allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), which could cause difficulty breathing, hives, wheezing, fast heart rate, dizziness, and changes in behavior. These can occur anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours after the injection. This is extremely rare.
• Other reactions, such as low blood counts and brain involvement, are so rare that their association with the vaccine is questionable.

DELAY OR DO NOT GIVE THE VACCINE

• Pregnant women should not be given the vaccine, and women who have received the vaccine should wait at least 1 month before getting pregnant.
• Children or adults who have a weakened immune system as a result of HIV/AIDS, cancer, organ transplants, or other factors should not be vaccinated for chickenpox.
• Children or adults who are allergic to the antibiotic neomycin or gelatin should not receive this vaccine.
• Children or adults taking steroids for any condition should consult with their doctor about the proper timing of chickenpox vaccine.
• Anyone who has recently received a blood transfusion or other blood product (including gamma globulin) should consult with their doctor about the proper timing of the chickenpox vaccine.
• Children receiving aspirin or other salicylates should not receive this vaccine because of the theoretical risk of Reye's syndrome.

CALL YOUR PRIMARY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF:

• You are uncertain as to whether the chickenpox immunization should be given
• Any moderate to severe side effects appear after the injection
• Any symptoms occur after the vaccine that alarm you
• You have any other questions before or after receiving the vaccine

Review Date: 08/18/2006
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.