Medical Health Encyclopedia

At present, most patients who cannot be vaccinated but are exposed to chickenpox are given immune globulin antibodies against varicella virus. This helps prevent complications of the disease if they become infected.

Side Effects of the Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine

• Discomfort at the Injection Site. About 20% of vaccine recipients have pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site.
• Severe Side Effects. Only about 5% of adverse reactions are serious. Between 1995 and 2001, 759 serious adverse effects were reported. Such events included seizures, pneumonia, anaphylactic reaction, encephalitis, Stevens-Johnsons syndrome, neuropathy, herpes zoster, and blood abnormalities.
• Risk of Transmission. The vaccine may also produce a mild rash within about a month of the vaccination, which has been known to transmit chickenpox to others. Individuals who have recently been vaccinated should avoid close contact with anyone who might be susceptible to severe complications from chickenpox until the risk for a rash has passed.
• Later Infection. Months or even years after the vaccination, some people develop a mild infection termed modified varicella-like syndrome (MVLS). The condition appears to be less contagious and have fewer complications than naturally acquired chickenpox.

Vaccine Long-Term Effectiveness and Possible Need for a Booster

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There is currently intense debate over the long-term protection of the vaccine. Such controversy is stimulated by the incidence of breakthrough infections after vaccination. It should be noted, however, that evidence is showing improvements in quality of life and better survival rates since the introduction of the vaccine. Any negative studies to date on long-term effectiveness simply raise the question of the need for booster or higher doses--not the elimination of the vaccine altogether.