Varivax (Chicken Pox)Immunization

Most parents had chicken pox as a mild childhood illness. Unfortunately, prior to the vaccine there were more than 10,000 chicken pox related hospitalization each year.

The chicken pox immunization is a live attenuated vaccine. It was developed in Japan and used there since 1988.  It was licensed in the United States in 1995. Side effects are a rash ( reported between days 5 to 26 after the first dose) and local reaction. After a single varivax, 85 percent of children are completely protected against chickenpox. There is a lower risk of shingles (reactivation of chickenpox) in vaccinated individuals.

see pictures of varivax rash (rash from vaccine)

see pictures of chicken pox (disease)

Written April 2010 by
Dr. Gordon, Windermere Pediatrician