How to Get Immunized Against Chicken Pox

Chicken pox is caused by the virus varicella zoster. The disease is common in children; most adults are immune. If an adult does catch chicken pox, it can progress to shingles (herpes zoster), a painful skin disease.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Varivax Chicken Pox Vaccine

1. Have children between 1 and 13 years old vaccinated against chicken pox if they've never had it.
2. Get two shots, four to six weeks apart, of chicken pox vaccine if you are 14 years old or older, and have never had it. Ninety-five percent of adults have had chicken pox as children, but many don't remember it. Your doctor can run a test to find out if you have had it. Primary school teachers, day care workers and health care workers who are exposed to children who haven't had it should be vaccinated.
3. Keep in mind that the chicken pox vaccine, called Varivax, is a live-virus vaccine, so that pregnant or lactating women or people with conditions that can lead to compromised immune systems, such as AIDS, should not have the vaccine.
4. Understand that 20 percent of the time you will experience swelling, pain and redness at the vaccination site. Some people also report developing a mild rash.

Tips & Warnings

• Studies indicate that less than 50 percent of pediatricians include the chicken pox vaccine in their patients' immunization schedules. Check with your doctor to find out more about the chicken pox virus, or call the National Vaccine Information Center at (800) 909-SHOT.
• Children under 1 year old should not be given a chicken pox vaccine.
• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.