What is Chicken Pox?

Chickenpox (also called varicella) is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. A very common disease among children, chickenpox is easily spread through the air, when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or by direct contact with an infected person. As a matter of fact, those infected can spread chickenpox even before any rash develops. Chickenpox is generally mild and those infected suffer the discomfort of itching, fever and rash.

Is Chickenpox Serious?

Chickenpox has long been thought of as a harmless, rite of passage for children. However, in Canada alone, approximately 344,000 people each year contract chickenpox and nearly 1900 children are hospitalized due to complications.

It is not uncommon for a child to have 300 to 500 lesions, any one of which may become infected or lead to permanent scarring. Chickenpox may cause other problems such as bacterial skin infections and pneumonia. Other rare, but serious problems include inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and convulsions. Every year, a few Canadians die as a result of the complications of chickenpox.

Can Chickenpox be Avoided?

Chickenpox can be disruptive, uncomfortable and costly. The average cost per individual case of chickenpox is approximately $350.00. Most of the cost is attributed to days lost from work and time lost by caregivers of an ill child. On average, a parent has to take between 1 and 3 days off work to care for a child.

Fortunately, a vaccine is now available to help protect against chickenpox. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends the chickenpox vaccine for healthy persons 12 months of age and older who have not yet contracted chickenpox.

How Well does the Chickenpox Vaccine Protect Against Chickenpox?

The vaccine provided protection in 98 percent of children when given as recommended.

Does the Vaccine have Any Side Effects?

Any vaccine may have unintended or undesirable effects, called side effects. The most common side effects with the chickenpox vaccine are injection site complaints such as local swelling, itching and redness. Occasionally, fever and chicken-pox-like rash either on the body or at the injection site may occur.

Who Should not have the Chickenpox Vaccine?

A health-care provider may decide not to give the chickenpox vaccine for a number of reasons.

These may include if the person:

• is allergic to any of the vaccine components (including gelatin and neomycin)
• has a blood disorder or any type of cancer that affects their immune system
• has active tuberculosis
• has a fever
• is pregnant (pregnancy should be avoided for 3 months following vaccination)

Is the New Chickenpox Vaccine Publicly Funded?

Vaccines for Varicella are publicly funded for children born on or after September 1, 2003, to be given on or shortly after their first birthday, but before their second birthday.  In January 2005, the vaccine will also be available to five year old children who have not had chicken pox, and high-risk susceptible people of all ages.

Source: Merck Frosst Vaccine Division

For more information contact Public Health at 519-355-1071 ext. 5900 or online at CKhealth@chatham-kent.ca