Chickenpox Vaccination

Chickenpox is a disease most commonly associated with childhood and in the past there never used to be a vaccine for it. In the 1960s and 70s, parents would hold chickenpox parties if one child in the neighbourhood contracted the disease so that it would spread amongst the children and they would get it over with. 

The Chickenpox vaccine protects against the Varicella Zoster virus that causes the illness known as chickenpox. The Chickenpox Vaccine is not routinely offered as part of the standard childhood vaccination schedule unless someone is in close contact within their family group to a person who is particularly vulnerable to chickenpox and its complications.

Chickenpox used to be rife amongst small children, parents even used to have chickenpox parties to spread the illness quickly amongst groups of children so they would all have it at the same time and get it over with.

Chickenpox mostly affects children and is not usually a serious condition but it can make little ones feel quite miserable for a while and the spots are very itchy.  Chickenpox is very contagious and the only way to prevent chickenpox is to have the chickenpox shot. 

Chickenpox is not usually known as a killer disease but in some serious cases, it can cause complications and occasionally even death.  The illness is mainly viewed as a childhood illness but if it is contracted during adulthood, it can be far more severe and may be fatal if it develops in late pregnancy.  The chickenpox vaccination can protect infants, children and adults against chickenpox and any subsequent problems associated with the disease.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious infection which is caused by a virus.  It was once so common amongst young children that parents would have chickenpox parties to get it over with.  A vaccine was introduced in the 1990s and now the incidence of chickenpox has decreased significantly.