How are children protected against chicken pox?

Vaccines or needles are the best way to protect children against some very serious infections.  The National Advisory Committee on Immunization strongly recommends routine immunization.

The varicella (chicken pox) vaccine is given to children after their first birthday.  It will protect them from this common childhood disease and its potential complications, such as bacterial skin infections.

What is chicken pox?

Chicken pox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus.  About 90% of chicken pox cases occur before the child becomes 12 years of age.

Children with chicken pox will feel flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, mild headache, fever up to 39 degrees (102 degrees F), chills and muscle or joint aches a day or two before the itchy, red rash appears.

The rash appears anywhere on the body as raised red blisters that are extremely itchy.  Some children have only a few blisters while others can have as many as 500.

The child will be most infectious (contagious) to others one to two days before the rash appears, and until these blisters dry up and form scabs in four to five days.

How do you get chicken pox?

Chicken pox is extremely contagious.  It spreads very quickly from person to person.  The most common way the infection is spread is through the air if someone with chicken pox coughs or sneezes.  You can also get chicken pox if you touch a blister or the liquid from a blister.

A pregnant woman with chicken pox can pass it on to her baby (fetus) before birth.  Mothers with chicken pox can also give it to their newborn baby after birth.

Why is the varicella vaccine important?

In about 5% to 10% of healthy children, chicken pox infection can lead to more serious problems such as:
1.  bacterial skin infections and/or necrotizing fasciitis ("flesh-eating disease").
2.  pneumonia (infection of the lungs)
3.  encephalitis (infection of the brain)
4.  infection of other sites (e.g., blood)
5.  birth defects may occur if the baby gets chicken pox from the mother before birth

Chicken pox can be very severe or even life-threatening to newborn babies, and anyone who has a weak immune system.

The vaccine is recommended for children 12 months of age and older because, until then, babies have maternal antibodies (transferred from their mothers).

(This fact sheet provides basic information only.  It must not take the place of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Always talk to a healthcare professional about any health concerns you have and before you make any changes to your diet, lifestyle or treatment.)

For more information about chicken pox or the chicken pox vaccine (varicella), try the Ministry of Health's fact sheet.