Varicella Vaccine: Definition, Benefits, Schedule, Contraindications, Side Effects, and Why It is Needed – Varicella is a disease caused by the Varicella-Zoster virus (VVX). This disease can cause fever accompanied by rashes and itching throughout the body. The disease can also settle into the body and cause shingles when the body’s endurance is reduced. In pregnant women, the disease is dangerous because it can cause birth defects (scarring of the skin, other abnormalities that can include the head, eye problems, low birth weight and mental retardation). The disease can be prevented by using vaccines.
Immunization in children is very important to prevent the spread of dangerous diseases, one of the skin diseases that are easily contagious is chicken pox. However, the risk of transmission with more severe conditions will be higher in children and older persons who have never received the chickenpox vaccine through immunization programs. The administering Varicella vaccine can reduce the risk of contracting chicken pox. Here’s a full explanation of the Varicella vaccine.
What is Varicella Vaccine?
Varicella immunization is a way to prevent the spread and transmission of chicken pox disease that most commonly occurs in children.
The benefit of immunization is that it can prevent the spread of chicken pox transmission. The more people who get the vaccine, the less chance of transmission of the disease.
Transmission of chicken pox can take place easily through the air, exposure to mucus from sufferers when sneezing or coughing, and direct contact with chicken pox blister.
The infected child can constantly transmit the virus ranging from the appearance of fever symptoms in the child from the beginning until the blister dries and peels off the skin.
Therefore, people who contract smallpox need to quarantine and limit social interaction with others until completely cured.
Although chicken pox is generally harmless, complications of the disease can also lead to death.
Before the vaccine existed, the average death rate could reach 100 people out of 11,000 patients receiving intensive care in hospitals.
By vaccinating, you can minimize the risk. Indeed, there have been no clinical trials that determine exactly how long the protective effects of the chickenpox vaccine will last.
The CDC notes that vaccines can provide effective protection (90-97 percent) for 7 to 10 years.
However, the body’s immunity to varicella-zoster virus infection (VZV) will generally last a lifetime.
A person who has already received the vaccine may still have chicken pox even if there is little risk. If infected, symptoms are usually mild and unobtrusive.
How does the varicella vaccine work?
The cause of chickenpox is varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection. The chickenpox vaccine is made from the VZV virus that has gone through a weakening process.
That is, the viral components that cause chickenpox have changed not to release harmful toxins, so it can build protection in the body against viral infections.
Injecting vaccines into the body will trigger the immune system to react to form antibodies.
In the article Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine from Harvard Medical School, chickenpox vaccine can activate lymphocyte cells, namely T cells, which play a role in fighting viral replication.
On average (78-90 percent) antibodies will be fully formed within 4-8 weeks after administering the second vaccine.
Meanwhile, after antibodies are formed, the vaccine has the effectiveness of preventing viral infections from 70 to 90 percent.
Various countries have been immunizing chickenpox since 1995 to reduce the number of people with this infectious skin disease.
Starting in 2005, chickenpox immunization was available in combination vaccines that also contained other viral antigen components.
The price of chickenpox vaccine (varicella) varies depending on the type of vaccine
For a type of varicella vaccine called Varivax, it can be given to infants aged 12 months, adolescents, and older persons.
Why get the varicella vaccine?
A Varicella vaccine is needed to prevent infection with varicella zoster or chicken pox, which is highly contagious. The disease can easily spread from sufferers to healthy people.
In infants, pregnant women, and patients with weakened immune systems, varicella can cause serious complications. One of them, pneumonia.
Administering the Varicella vaccine is the best way to prevent chicken pox. This vaccine will help in avoiding the transmission of varicella zoster virus in the community.
Chickenpox can also cause shingles disease in later life. The disease is characterized by a painful skin rash and can cause disorders around skin innervation.
Patients who have received the vaccine will have a lower risk of having shingles. Although it occurs, the severity is smaller compared to people who have never been vaccinated.
Read also:
Can You Get Chickenpox Twice?
Varicella Vaccine Benefits
Preventing Varicella zoster and their complications.
Varicella Vaccine Schedule
- The Varicella vaccine is administered after the age of 12 months, best at the age before entering primary school.
- If administered at the age of more than 13 years, it is necessary to 2 doses with a minimum interval of 4 weeks.
Varicella vaccine contraindications
- High fever
- Lymphocytes < 1200 cells/mcl
- Cellular immune deficiency
- High dose corticosteroid recipients
- Neomycin allergy.
Varicella vaccine side effects
- Fever
- Mild vesiculopapular rash.
