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The chickenpox vaccine is given to prevent varicella (chickenpox) in children and adults.

This vaccine contains chickenpox virus that has been weakened (attenuated) so that it will not cause disease, but yet multiply in the body and stimulate the person's immune system to make antibodies that will fight off full-strength ("wild") chickenpox virus if it should be encountered.

Because chickenpox is highly contagious and everyone is susceptible after a few months of age, most people got the disease as children in the years before the vaccine was available. However, it can occur at any age.

The illness usually lasts 4 to 5 days and causes a rash with as many as 250 to 500 itchy bumps, called vesicles, along with fatigue and a low-grade fever. Rarely, chicken pox can cause serious, even fatal, complications.

People who are at higher risk for these complications include:

• teens and adults
• children who are given aspirin
• infants younger than age 1
• newborns and premature babies whose mothers had chickenpox when they are born or have not had chickenpox
• people with weakened immune systems

Ihese serious complications include:

• severe skin infections
• scarring from the pox
• pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs
• brain damage
• death

The chickenpox vaccine, made available for the first time in 1995, protects against both these complications and the discomfort of mild symptoms. The vaccine can prevent chickenpox in most cases. Anyone who gets chickenpox despite receiving the vaccine usually has only a mild case.

Who is a candidate for the procedure?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that the chickenpox vaccine be given in two doses. The first dose is for children age 12 to 18 months, and the second at age 4-6 years.

The vaccine is now combined with measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines as MMRV. Older children or young adults, if they have not been vaccinated previously and have not had chickenpox disease, should receive two doses of the vaccine given 4 to 8 weeks apart.

Many schools, day care centers, and colleges require the vaccine or a report of a history of chickenpox before enrollment. Varicella vaccine is especially recommended for anyone in certain high-risk groups if they have not already had chickenpox.

These high-risk groups include:

• people who live or work where exposure to chickenpox is likely, such as teachers of young children, day care employees, and residents and staff in institutional settings
• people who live or work where outbreaks of chickenpox can occur, such as college students, prison inmates and staff, and military staff
• nonpregnant women of childbearing age
• teens and adults living in households with children, since the children may pass chickenpox to them

Most people in the following categories should not receive the chickenpox vaccine:

• people with weakened immune systems, such as those who have HIV or cancer or who take medicines such as steroids or chemotherapy. A person with an immune deficiency should check with his or her healthcare professional for details, because new research findings emerge frequently.
• people who are allergic to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin
• pregnant women
• people who are currently ill

How is the procedure performed?

The chickenpox vaccine is given by an injection into the muscle of the upper thigh or arm. This vaccination may be given at the same time as other vaccinations but in a different spot on the body.

What happens right after the procedure?

The site of the chickenpox vaccine injection may sting slightly. A bandage is usually put on it to stop any minor bleeding that may occur.

What happens later at home?

The chickenpox vaccine is very safe. Severe allergic reactions are very rare. But it is important to call a doctor right away to report has any new or worsening symptoms.

What are the potential complications after the procedure?

• mild rash, up to 1 month after vaccination
• mild redness, pain, and swelling at the site of the shot for 1 to 2 days
• rarely, fever, muscle aches, or another reaction at the site of the shot
• rarely, seizures resulting from the fever
• very rarely, a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock, pneumonia, brain damage, or even death