How Effective Is the Chickenpox Vaccine in Preventing Infection?

Chickenpox is a common childhood disease in the Indian population. Although it is a mild and self-limiting disease, it can sometimes cause severe complications. However, it is a vaccine-preventable disease. The chickenpox vaccine reduces the likelihood of acquiring chickenpox and helps make the illness less severe in those who do contract it.

This article explores what the chickenpox vaccine is, its efficacy, and possible side effects.

What Is Chickenpox Vaccine?

Chickenpox vaccine, also termed the varicella vaccine, is a two-dose shot, mostly administered to children, that provides them with immunity against chickenpox and reduces the risk of complications related to it.

It’s a live attenuated vaccine containing varicella-zoster virus or the Oka strain. It is over 90% effective in preventing chickenpox and provides lifelong protection for most people. These days, the chickenpox vaccine is often given as a quadrivalent MMRV combination vaccine that gives protection from measles, mumps, and rubella alongside chickenpox.

Since the chickenpox vaccine is not 100% effective, a vaccinated person can contract the chickenpox, referred to as “breakthrough chickenpox”. This is comparatively less severe with fewer blisters and low or no fever.

What is Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It is a mild disease that causes an itchy rash that progresses through three stages. However, it can lead to severe health conditions like pneumonia, bacterial skin infection, or Reye’s syndrome.

Chickenpox is self-limiting and only lasts for one or two weeks, and is acquired by most people in childhood. But adults who contract chickenpox are more likely to experience severe symptoms than children.

Pregnant women, newborns, and immunocompromised individuals are particularly vulnerable to serious complications.

What Causes Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. A person will remain fine for 1 to 3 weeks after coming into contact with this virus. It is only after this period that they will show symptoms. Chickenpox can spread from:

1. Respiratory droplets of a person with chickenpox
2. Touching the rash and blisters of an infected person
3. Coming in contact with an infected person’s fluids from eyes, nose or mouth.

It is important to note that an infected person can spread the virus from around two days before the rash appears until all the blisters have completely crusted over, making early detection and isolation essential.

What Are Chickenpox Symptoms?

Chickenpox symptoms are easily identifiable and include:

1. Low-grade fever
2. Skin rash with fluid-filled blisters
3. Stomachache with low appetite
4. Feeling tired
5. Headache

Chickenpox rash progresses through three stages.

1. The beginning stage of chickenpox consists of raised bumps known as papules. They last for a few days.
2. The next stage includes small fluid-filled blisters called vesicles. These blisters can form in one or two days and then break open.
3. The last stage is when these broken blisters scab over.

In most cases, new waves of blisters can continue to appear for several days, meaning a person may experience all three stages simultaneously on different parts of their body.

What Are Complications Related to Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is considered a mild disease that only lasts for up to two weeks. However, it can lead to certain complications that include:

1. Reye’s syndrome
2. Pneumonia
3. Bacterial infection of skin, blood, and soft tissues
4. Dehydration
5. Encephalitis (swelling of the brain)

Apart from this, the varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox can remain dormant in a person’s body for many years before reactivating and causing shingles (herpes zoster).

What is the Chickenpox Vaccine Schedule?

The childhood chickenpox vaccine’s first dose is given between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second dose is given between 4 and 6 years of age.

Adults who have never contracted chickenpox and have not been vaccinated are also advised to get 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine. These doses should be at least 28 days apart.

Certain groups of people should not get the chickenpox vaccine or should take it later. These are:

1. People with HIV/AIDS
2. Cancer patients
3. People with tuberculosis
4. Pregnant individuals
5. Those who recently had a blood transfusion
6. People with a disease or medication that affects their immunity

What Are the Side Effects of Chickenpox Vaccine?

The vaccine’s side effects are mild, such as:

1. Swelling or soreness around the vaccinated area
2. Fever
3. Mild rash

The chickenpox vaccine is over 90% effective for the prevention of chickenpox and makes it less severe if a person is exposed to it in the future. If an unvaccinated person is exposed to an individual affected with chickenpox, it is advisable to confirm the diagnosis by consulting a doctor and scheduling a varicella-zoster test with Dr Lal PathLabs. Download the Dr Lal PathLabs app to book a test!

FAQs

1. Can a child get chickenpox even if vaccinated?
   Yes, a child can get chickenpox even if vaccinated, as the chickenpox vaccine is only over 90% effective.
2. How long does chickenpox last?
   Chickenpox is self-limiting and only lasts for two or four weeks.