Article on Chicken pox vaccine

An interesting article appeared in the National Post this week regarding the significant reduction in chicken pox (varicella) since the introduction of the vaccine several years ago.

Having been in practice over 21 years, I can certainly confirm that I hardly ever see a case of chicken pox now, compared to my early years. While it is true that most kids with chicken pox will recover uneventfully, there are those who get quite ill and even hospitalized with serious complications.

Also when the child is sick, usually a parent has to stay home so there are other economic losses as well as having to nurse a sick child. The vaccine has been demonstrated to be safe and I personally have never seen any significant reaction with the chicken pox vaccine. Two doses are now required since it has been shown that immunity drops if only one dose is given.

It is well known that in areas where immunization rates are lower, the burden of disease increases for those infections prevented by those vaccines. For example, measles and mumps have been creeping back into the picture which can only occur when the rates of immunization drop. There can be serious consequences from these viruses.

Why risk your health? It is like driving without a seat belt.

Read the article