Who Should Get the Chickenpox Vaccine?
Vaccination is the best way to prevent chicken-pox. Eighty to ninety
percent of people who receive the vaccine (called Varivax) are protected
from the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC). Even if complete protection is not provided to vaccinated
persons, the severity of the disease is significantly lessened. Young children
between 12 and 18 months of age should receive Varivax as part of
the routine immunization schedule. Older children between 19 months
and 13 years of age who still have not had chickenpox should also be
vaccinated.
Adults who are at high risk of exposure, such as health care workers,
child-care employees, teachers, travelers, adults living with young children
and women of childbearing age should receive the vaccine if they
have not previously had chickenpox. Children older than 13 years of age
and adults are given 2 doses of the vaccine 4 to 8 weeks apart. Pregnant
women, people with allergies to gelatin or neomycin, and people with
weakened immune systems should not receive Varivax. Protection from
the vaccine is believed to last at least 10 to 20 years.