Chicken Pox Vaccine For Babies – Everything You Need To Know
Have you been following a vaccination schedule for your baby and is it time for the chickenpox (varicella) vaccination? Do you want to know how the chicken pox (varicella) vaccine can be useful for your child? If you nodded along, consider reading the post below. Here we look at the chicken pox vaccine for babies, its benefits, its importance, and its side effects.
What Is Chickenpox?
Chickenpox or varicella is a viral infection that affects both children and adults. Chickenpox is a contagious infection, and it can spread through direct contact with the patient and through the air that is contaminated with virus particles. Sneezing and coughing by the affected child can release the virus in the air. Until the blisters scab over, there is a risk of contamination from the patient to other healthy people who are not immune to the disease.
Causes Of Chickenpox:
Chickenpox or Varicella is the result of an infection, which occurs due to the varicella-zoster virus.
Symptoms Of Chickenpox:
The symptoms of chickenpox can take one to three weeks to manifest themselves after exposure. The characteristic symptom of varicella is a rash that turns into blisters. The blisters can be itchy, be filled with fluid and spread all over the body. The rash can be mild or severe and number up to a few hundred. Before the appearance of a rash on the body, the patient may suffer from high fever, appetite loss, fatigue and headache .
[ Read: Rotavirus Vaccine for Babies ]
The Significance Of Chicken Pox Vaccine For Babies:
Chickenpox almost affects everyone at some stage in life. There are various reasons the chickenpox vaccine is useful.
• Babies are highly susceptible to the chickenpox infection. Even a mild rash can cause immense discomfort and pain.
• Chickenpox can severely scar the skin. These scars rarely fade.
• Chickenpox can also lead to other health problems such as pneumonia, skin infections like cellulitis, inflammation or swelling of the brain and rare cases it can also be fatal. The chickenpox virus can also cause shingles in adults who have had chickenpox as children.
When Do Babies Get Chicken Pox Vaccine?
The Chickenpox (varicella) vaccine offers 98% protection from the disease. If, in rare cases, the infection develops, it is rather mild. The chickenpox vaccine consists of two doses, administered a few weeks or years apart. The varicella vaccine schedule for babies is as follows:
• The first dose for babies must be administered when they are between the ages of 12 to 15 months.
• The second dose must be given when the children are between the ages of 4 to 6 years. The second dose must be at least three months apart from the first dose so it can also be given at an earlier time.
• For those who are older than 13 years must get the two doses with a gap of four to eight weeks (minimum gap of 28 days).
[ Read: Symptoms Of Anaphylaxis In Babies ]
Types Of Chickenpox Vaccine:
There are two types of chickenpox vaccines.
• MMRV is the vaccine that is a combination of vaccinations for measles, mumps, and rubella and along with for varicella. It is only used for children who are over 12 months of age and under 12 years of age.
• Varicella vaccine is only for immunization from chickenpox. It can be given to babies, older children, and adults.
Your child’s doctor can guide you about the type of varicella vaccine for babies and answer any questions about the vaccine.
Is The Chicken Pox Vaccine Necessary For Babies?
There is more harm to your baby from the chickenpox than from the vaccination. There is also an argument that once a child contracts chickenpox, he is immune to the infection for all his life. Therefore, chickenpox vaccine may be unnecessary.
But there is no way to tell if the chickenpox rashes would be mild or severe. There is always a risk of scarring and other side effects from chickenpox. If parents or adult caregivers are not immune to the disease, they can contract chickenpox while taking care of the child, which can put them in an uncomfortable situation.
Chickenpox vaccine is optional and not a part of essential immunization for kids. But, since the vaccine was introduced almost two decades ago the cases of hospitalization and complications from chickenpox have drastically reduced.
For you, watching your child suffer from any illness can be a scary experience. Talk to the pediatrician and become informed about chickenpox vaccine and how it can benefit your child.
[ Read: Tips To Treat Chicken Pox In Babies ]
Is Chicken Pox Vaccination For Babies Safe?
Yes, the chickenpox vaccine is safe for babies. Moreover, the vaccine is an effective preventive measure of the infection. But all vaccines can produce side effects. In case of chickenpox vaccine, the side effects are rare.
Side Effects of Chicken Pox Vaccine In Babies:
In case your child suffers from any side effects from the chickenpox vaccine, immediately inform his doctor.
• Pain or swelling at the site of vaccination
• Mild fever
• Allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis to the vaccine
• Seizure
[ Read: Tips To Manage The Pain After Vaccination For Babies ]
Concerns With Baby Chicken Pox Vaccine:
There are a few concerns with the chickenpox vaccine for children.
1. The chickenpox vaccine originally contained gelatin. Therefore, people who are allergic to the substance couldn’t take the shot for chickenpox. But now chickenpox vaccine is also available without gelatin. If you are concerned about your baby’s chickenpox vaccination use and any allergic reaction, talk to his doctor about those issues. The doctor can alleviate your concerns and suggest the best course of action for your child’s chickenpox vaccination.
2. If you baby had an allergic reaction to his first shot, the doctor might advise against the second shot. The allergic reaction can also occur due to other reasons than gelatin allergy.
[ Read: Common Baby Skin Allergies ]
3. Refrain from getting your child a chickenpox vaccination shot if he is sick. The chickenpox vaccine has a large window during which you can take your child for his shots.
4. If your baby suffers from any immune system disorders, then he must not take the chickenpox vaccine. Cancer patients also cannot take the chickenpox shot.
5. If your child has had any blood transfusions, you must wait for at least five months before you can get your child vaccinated against chickenpox infection.
With adults, there are more concerns with chickenpox vaccine such as risk to the fetus if vaccinated during pregnancy or shots taken during chemotherapy. Women need to take care to avoid pregnancy at least for a month after taking chickenpox shot.
Have you administered chickenpox vaccine to your child? Did he suffer from any side effects after the vaccination? Please share your experience with us. Leave a comment below.
