Chickenpox is no longer a benign disease. For this reason it is necessary to vaccinate children against this virus. The problems it causes can be very serious, and that is why it is important to cut that risk by vaccination.
Waiting until children are 12 years old to vaccinate them against chickenpox does not make sense, because at that age 90 percent of them have already passed the disease. As indicated by pediatricians, the vaccine should be given in the third year of life.
How does chickenpox manifest itself?
It is a very contagious disease that incubates for three weeks. That is the time during which the body is expelling the virus. Then there is the clinical phase in which itchy blisters appear on the skin. In some cases complications arise, which may cause the disease to last longer than three weeks. Chickenpox is no longer contagious when scabs appear on the skin.
As far as complications are concerned, on the one hand there are neurological complications, which have an impact on the brain. On the other hand, there are pulmonary complications, which can develop in the form of pneumonia with a very poor evolution and difficult treatment, as well as skin problems in allergic children. The disease can affect any organ. In addition, there is a real danger among pregnant women. There are cases of pregnant women who are infected by chickenpox, whose virus affects the fetus with severe malformations.
Is the vaccine harmless and is there no risk for the child who receives it?
There is no risk for children, nor for adults. Most Western countries use this vaccine, which has no side effects.
It is essential to inject at least one dose of the vaccine. This is extremely important, because it prevents the disease from developing significantly. With a second dose, chickenpox is almost completely eradicated. The second dose should be given at least three months after the first dose.