What Is the Chickenpox Vaccine?
In 1995, the Food and Drug Administration approved the
varicella vaccine, also known as the
chickenpox vaccine, for the prevention of chickenpox. The vaccine is now widely available in private doctors' offices and public health clinics.
The chickenpox vaccine is the best way to prevent chickenpox, therefore protecting children and adults from the severe complications (including death) that can occur with chickenpox.
Who Should Use the Vaccine?
Below is a list of guidelines that explains who should get the chickenpox vaccine:
- All children between 12 and 18 months of age should have one dose of the vaccine.
- Children who have had chickenpox do not need the vaccine. No tests need to be administered to determine immune status -- a parent's recollection of the disease is considered a reliable measure of previous infection and therefore immunity.
- Children between 19 months and 13 years old, who have not had chickenpox, should be vaccinated with a single dose.
- People 13 and older who have not had chickenpox should get two doses of the vaccine 4 to 8 weeks apart.
Chickenpox vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.
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