Should I Get the Chicken Pox Shot?
Other People Are Reading
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No, Chickenpox Should be Developed in Adolescence
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For most healthy children, chickenpox is merely a nuisance and not a serious health concern. When chickenpox is developed by an adult, however, the risks can be much more daunting, including high fever, pneumonia and sometimes death. A person almost always contracts chickenpox only once in his life. Therefore, many health experts agree that it is more beneficial to allow a person to contract chickenpox as a child than to risk that person developing the disease as an adult.
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Yes, With Some Exceptions
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To avoid a child becoming very sick and sometimes dying from chickenpox, it is best to get vaccinated. The vaccine has side effects, but they are usually harmless. The vaccine is also recommended for adults who have not had the disease. Some people shouldn't be vaccinated, including those who are pregnant, have cancer, are sick at the time the shot is administered or have a disease that affects the immune system, such as HIV.
Bottom Line
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With the exception of those who already have severe health issues, chickenpox is almost never a serious health concern for children. Generally, the itchy rash is gone within a week or so and never returns. The vaccine wears off in five to 10 years, so by getting vaccinated you are increasing your odds for getting the condition later in life when it is much riskier.
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