In the not-so-distant past, nearly 4 million people each year came down with chickenpox, a highly-contagious condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Nowadays, a widely-available chickenpox vaccine has dramatically decreased the number of people who are hospitalized or die from chicken pox; and for the very few who succumb to the itchy blisters despite getting the vaccine, symptoms are far less severe. According to the CDC, the best way to prevent chickenpox is by getting the vaccine, which is thought to be 98% effective in preventing the condition.
Experts say that getting the chickenpox vaccine is much safer than chickenpox themselves, and that the vaccine presents few side-effects or complications. Children, adolescents, and adults should receive 2 doses of the vaccine, explains Vaccines.gov. Children should receive the first dose between 12 and 15 months, and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. Adolescents and adults can be vaccinated anytime, and doses should be given at least 28 days apart.
The CDC cautions that the following individuals should check with their doctor before getting vaccinated:
· People who have already had chickenpox
· People who have experienced a serious allergic reaction to the chickenpox vaccine, or its gelatin or neomycin elements
· People with HIV/AIDS or other immune-system-compromising conditions
· People taking steroids
· People with cancer and/or undergoing cancer treatment
· People who have recently received a blood transfusion or other blood products.
Pregnant women should wait until after giving birth before becoming vaccinated. Additionally, individuals suffering from moderate-to-severe illness should hold off and be vaccinated when they return to good health.
Adults who contract chickenpox from unvaccinated children are some of the most at-risk for serious complications. Thus, vaccines for the whole family are, according to the CDC, a must for healthy families and communities.
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