‘But, do I really need to vaccinate my kids against chickenpox’ is a really common question that parents ask doctors. The fact that the questions starts with ‘but’ tells us that the parents have at least some doubts about the need for this vaccine.
Many modern day parents (and readers of this blog) grew up in the pre-chickenpox vaccine era which makes it understandable that they have valid questions about the value of this particular vaccine.
Here are a list of the key questions that parents ask about the vaccine.
Table of Contents
- The Varicella Virus
- Chicken Pox
- Shingles
- The Varicella Vaccine
- At what age do they give the chicken pox vaccine?
- What is the VZV vaccine? How is it given?
- What is the MMRV vaccine? Should I give it?
- what reaction can I expect?
- what is the effectiveness of the vaccine? Does it work?
- can you get chicken pox after the vaccine?
- can you get shingles if you had the chicken pox vaccine?
- Who else should get the VZV vaccine?
- Can pregnant women take the VZ vaccine?
- What can I do if my kids have not been vaccinated and they are exposed to VZV?
- Vaccine Safety:
- Bottom line: should I give the vaccine?
The Varicella Virus
What is Varicella? (include how it is transmitted)
Varicella Zoster is the virus that causes both chicken pox and shingles.
Chicken Pox
What is Chicken Pox?
In medicine, we talk about primary infection which means the first time someone is exposed to the VZV (varicella zoster virus). Primary infection is also called chickenpox or varicella zoster infection. This presents with a blister-like rash on the face, trunk and extremities. People with chickenpox also can have fever and feel generally tired and weak.It is usually (but not always) seen in children.
The defining feature of a VZV rash is the fact that the blisters appear in crops at different times. This means that a person can have dried crusted lesions and brand new blisters at the same time. The dried crusted blisters are usually non-infectious but the new blisters are infectious. Even though the blisters eventually all disappear, the virus remains in the body and can re-activate at a later stage as shingles.
Is there a treatment for Chicken Pox?
There is no treatment/cure for chicken pox. Most people have symptomatic management with pain killers, anti-itch pills,creams and lotions.
People who are at highest risk of complications (pregnant women and immunocompromised women and children) are given antiviral drugs (acyclovir).These anti-viral drugs reduce the severity and duration of the disease but do not offer protection against developing shingles at a later stage.
How dangerous is chicken pox? What are the risks?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
Shingles
What is Shingles?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
Is there a treatment for Shingles
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
How dangerous is shingles? What are the risks?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
What is the relationship between chickenpox and shingles?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
The Varicella Vaccine
At what age do they give the chicken pox vaccine?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
What is the VZV vaccine? How is it given?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
What is the MMRV vaccine? Should I give it?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
what reaction can I expect?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
what is the effectiveness of the vaccine? Does it work?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
can you get chicken pox after the vaccine?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
can you get shingles if you had the chicken pox vaccine?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
Who else should get the VZV vaccine?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
Can pregnant women take the VZ vaccine?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
What can I do if my kids have not been vaccinated and they are exposed to VZV?
Vaccine Safety:
Am I the only one who has concerns about the chickenpox vaccine?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
Is it a live vaccine? What does that mean?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
Does the chickenpox vaccine contain aluminium or other adjuvants?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
what are the risks?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
Who should not get the vaccine?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
Is is safe?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
Bottom line: should I give the vaccine?
I was talking to a friend recently about her FIL getting shingles so she had to keep her 1yo away from him until he’s not contagious anymore. That conversation led to a conversation about chicken pox, shingles and the vaccine. I referred her to the NVIC website for info on the varicella vaccine. We came across something on there chicken pox page that seemed contradictory to the info we had found on shingles. The NVIC page says that a 2002 study confirmed that adults who are exposed to natural chicken pox are protected against shingles. However, the info we read on shingles says that you only get shingles if you’ve had chicken pox. So, the question came up how can you be protected from shingles if you’ve had chicken pox if you can’t get shingles unless you’ve had chicken pox? And, if this is the case, then why the concern about an increase in the incidence of shingles from widespread use of the vaccine.
