Chickenpox is caused by Varicella Herpes Zoster, a member of the Herpes virus family, that also causes shingles. There is a vaccine available to prevent chickenpox.

The chickenpox vaccine, also known as the Varicella vaccine, became available in the mid 1990's. It is recommended by the FDA, the World Health Organization and most family doctors.

Some doctors and other health professionals are questioning the value of this vaccine, mainly because chickenpox is not considered a life threatening disease in healthy children. Problematic cases of chickenpox are usually only seen in teenagers or adults while small children usually have manageable symptoms lasting about a week. Because the vaccine has only been in use for less than 10 years, there is little knowledge as to how long it will last, if a booster is needed and if so, when. There is also some speculation about the motives for this vaccine: Is it to prevent parents from missing work to take care of their il child or is it to protect children from disease?

Australian JoAnn Farb has written a very interesting and easily read article simply called ">"Why the Chickenpox Vaccine is Nuts!". A non-biased overview of pros and cons of the chickenpox vaccine can be read in Dr. Greene's advice to a mother trying to decide about the chickenpox vaccine.