Chickenpox was once considered to be a childhood ailment that people would end up getting at some point. Yet there was a vaccine for it introduced just over ten years ago. It is widely used throughout the United States and Canada. As a result the number of children getting them has continued to decrease. This type of vaccine is very safe and a child can get it when they are getting their other childhood vaccinations.
There may be some slight side effects for the first couple of days following the chickenpox vaccine. The include soreness in the area and a fever. Some people end up with an allergic reaction so they get a rash on their body. While this rash is active the individual is contagious and can pass the chickenpox virus on to other people.
The side effects from chickenpox can show up for up to 30 days after the vaccination takes place. It is important to remember that so that if any signs show up you can let medical personnel know abut the recent vaccine. Not all of them bother to ask patients about it. This can lead to the cause of the rash being unknown and unnecessary tests being completed.
Many women who are attempting to get pregnant worry because they haven’t had the chickenpox before. Having it while pregnant can cause severe birth defects in the baby. One way to prevent this is to consult with your doctor about getting the chickenpox vaccine. Even if a woman has been immune to this ailment all her life, the changes in hormones can make her more susceptible to it.
The use of the chickenpox vaccine is still controversial in some areas though. Many parents don’t see the harm in their child getting this common ailment. Others remember how itchy and uncomfortable it was. They definitely don’t want their children to have to experience that. They also don’t want to deal with them missing school and having to miss work while the chickenpox run their course.
Most types of health insurance will cover the cost of the chickenpox vaccine. If you have state coverage such as Medicare they will also cover it as well. You can contact your doctor or your local health department to see about getting the chickenpox vaccine for yourself or your children.