CHICKEN POX

CHICKEN POX FACTS

Chickenpox, also called varicella, is a common childhood disease, which can easily be spread from person-to-person, through the air, or through contact with fluid from chickenpox blisters.

It can be described by the following:

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• Causes rash, itching, fever, and tiredness

• Results in severe skin infection, scars, pneumonia, brain damage, or death

• May result in shingles a year after chickenpox

• People who receive the chickenpox vaccine will not get chickenpox; however, if they do, it is usually very mild.

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Children who have never had chickenpox should receive 2 doses of the vaccine at the following ages:

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• 12-15 months          

• 4-6 years

• Children 13 years or older, who have never received the chickenpox vaccine and who have never had the chickenpox should get 2 doses (at least 28 days apart)

People who should not get the chickenpox vaccine include:

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• People who have life-threatening allergic reactions to a previous dose of chickenpox vaccine

• People who are moderately or severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled should wait to recover

• Pregnant women

If the person getting vaccinated has any of the following conditions, a doctor should be informed before vaccination:

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• HIV/AIDS or other diseases that affect the immune system

• People being treated with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids, for two weeks or longer

• Has any kind of cancer

• Is getting cancer treatment (radiation or other drugs)

• People who have recently received a transfusion or were given other blood products

For more information on Chickenpox vaccination call your local or state health department’s immunization program or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by calling 1-800-232-4636 or by visiting www.cdc.gov/vaccines.