Table of Contents
- Overview
- Prevention
- Images
The chickenpox vaccine protects against
Alternative Names
Varicella zoster virus vaccine; Varivax; Vaccine - chickenpox
Information
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It is very common and spreads very easily. Chickenpox occurs more often in the winter and spring.
Most of the time, the infection is mild and not life-threatening. However, each year thousands of children or adults become seriously ill, need to be in the hospital, or even die from chickenpox.
The chickenpox vaccine works very well in preventing the disease. A small number of people who get the vaccine will still get chickenpox. However, they usually have a milder case than persons who did not receive the vaccine.
WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THIS VACCINE
Children should receive two doses of the traditional chickenpox vaccine.
- The first dose should be given when the child is 12 - 15 months old.
- A second dose should be given when they are 4 - 6 years old. This second dose can be given before age 4, as long as 3 months have passed since the first dose.
Images
Review Date: 12/15/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of
Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also
reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
