Delaware Modern Pediatrics Blog » varicella http://blog.delawaremodernpediatrics.com Delaware Pediatrics and Medical Blog Mon, 23 Aug 2010 20:42:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 en hourly 1 Chicken Pox Vaccine boosters are recommended for school children http://blog.delawaremodernpediatrics.com/chicken-pox-vaccine-boosters-are-recommended-for-school-children/ http://blog.delawaremodernpediatrics.com/chicken-pox-vaccine-boosters-are-recommended-for-school-children/#comments Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:31:26 +0000 David Epstein M.D. http://blog.delawaremodernpediatrics.com/?p=17 Beginning in 2007, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC recommend that children who received their chicken pox vaccine as toddlers should receive a booster shot. This booster is suggested to be given by the time of kindergarten entry, but it may be given as early as 3 months after the initial shot.  Any child under age 12 who has received only the initial chicken pox immunization should be given the booster.  The CDC also says, “People 13 years of age and older who do not have evidence of immunity should get two doses of the vaccine 4 to 8 weeks apart.”

Some people wonder if vaccination for chicken pox is necessary at all, since many cases are mild and self limited.  Unfortunately, there are some children who suffer severe or permanent damage from the complications of chicken pox.  And public health experts point out that the cost to society of the parents’ lost days from work and school, to care for a week-long contagious illness, adds up over an entire population!

– David Epstein, MD

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