When Do Babies Get the Chickenpox Vaccine?
When Do Babies Get the Chickenpox Vaccine? |
Chickenpox is also
commonly known as varicella. It is a very contagious infection. The causative
agent is varicella-zoster virus. You can protect your child easily just by
administering a chickenpox vaccine. Refer to Chickenpox Vaccination Northampton or to Chickenpox Vaccination Ramsgate in order to know more about the
chickenpox vaccines for kids.
Children should get
2 shots for chickenpox: the first when they are 12 to 15 months old and a
second “booster” shot when they are 4 to 6 years old (before they start
school). In some provinces/territories, the second dose is given at 18 months
old.
Children who have
had chickenpox before one year of age may not stay immune and should receive
the vaccine at the recommended times indicated above.
People who have had
chickenpox after they are 1 year of age do not need to get the vaccine. But if
they do get the vaccine, it will not hurt them.
Teens and adults up
to age 50 who have not had chickenpox or the vaccine should get 2 shots, given
at least 6 weeks apart.
Women planning for
pregnancy who have not had chickenpox or the vaccine should receive the 2 shots
at least 4 weeks before getting pregnant.
How safe is the
chickenpox vaccine?
It is very safe.
There may be some redness, swelling, itching or pain where the needle went into the arm or leg, usually 5-23 days after vaccination. This is not dangerous and will only last a day or two.
Some people may
have a fever 5-12 days after vaccination. Parents should NOT give their child
ibuprofen or acetaminophen before or shortly after vaccination since it could
have an impact on how well the vaccine works. Wait at least 6 hours
post-vaccination for pain or fever relief.
A few people will
get a very mild case of a chickenpox-like rash (usually no more than 10 spots)
1 or 2 weeks after they get the vaccine.
Talk to your doctor
about the vaccine. In some provinces, the chickenpox vaccine is given by
itself; in others it is combined with the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and
rubella. This combination vaccine is called MMRV.
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