The chickenpox vaccine is usually referred to as the Varicella vaccine
because the Varicella Herpes Zoster virus causes chickenpox. It is a
shot that can prevent chickenpox. It was was developed in Japan 25 years
ago and has since been given to over 2 million people worldwide.
In the US, the vaccine is available under the brand name
Varivax
and is manufactured by Merck.

The vaccine will not eliminate the risk of catching chickenpox, but
up to 90% of people who receive the vaccine will not get chickenpox.
People who get chickenpox after having the vaccine have a milder form of
the disease. You do not need a booster in later life and you will also
lower the risk of shingles as a senior.

The vaccine is usually recommended for children but is not required like
other vaccines and the age recommendation varies from country to country. If
you didn't have the vaccine as a child and managed to avoid chickenpox,
it is recommended that you have the vaccine because chickenpox can be quite
severe if experienced in adults. The vaccine is not recommended for
pregnant women or immunocompromised people.

The vaccine is quite safe although some minor side effects such as
soreness or swelling of the injected area may occur as well as a little
fever or tiredness is not uncommon.

If you had chickenpox as a child it means that you carry the latent
Varicella Herpes Zoster virus for life. 1 in 5 will develop shingles
but once you had chickenpox, you are immune to further outbreaks and
do not need a vaccine. The vaccine contains a weakened form of the
Varicella Herpes Zoster so in a way the shot gets you infected with the
virus but in such a mild way that your immune defense system will
fight it with no or few symptoms by developing antibodies that will
remain in your body to protect you against future exposure of
Varicella Herpes Zoster.

Related Links

• FDA Article: First Vaccine for Chickenpox - Sept '95
• FDA Consumer Report: Kid's Vaccinations
• Merck Article: Your Children and Chickenpox
• CDC: Chickenpox Vaccine

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