Varicella vaccine is a vaccine to prevent chickenpox or chickenpox chicken pox. This disease is more experienced by children, but adults can also experience it. Therefore, it is important to give the varicella vaccine to both children and adults.
Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. When stricken with this disease, a person may experience symptoms in the form of fever, muscle aches, headaches, and reddish spots appear on the face and body followed by clear fluid-filled bumps all over the body that feel itchy.
Chickenpox is generally mild and can heal on its own. However, in certain cases, chickenpox can cause dangerous complications, such as pneumonia, dehydration, and severe infection or sepsis.
Therefore, you need to get the varicella vaccine so that you are not susceptible to chickenpox and its complications.
The Importance of Giving Varicella Vaccine
The varicella vaccine can prevent chickenpox with a fairly high level of effectiveness, which is up to 85–90%. Even if they get chickenpox, people who have received the varicella vaccine will experience milder symptoms and recover faster.
The varicella vaccine contains attenuated varicella-zoster virus. When inserted into the body, this vaccine will stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies to fight the virus.
Because it has been weakened, the virus contained in the varicella vaccine cannot cause infection.
Varicella Vaccine Administration Schedule for Children and Adults
Varicella vaccine will be more effective if given to children aged 1-18 years. Based on the recommendations of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI), the varicella vaccine should be given to children when the child is 1 year old and over, as much as 1 time.
If the new varicella vaccine is given when the child is over 13 years old, it needs to be given 2 times with an interval of 4-8 weeks.
In adults, the varicella vaccine is administered at the same dose as the dose for children over the age of 13, which is 2 times with an interval of 4–8 weeks. The varicella vaccine in adults is recommended for people who have the following conditions:
- Never received the vericella vaccine at all
- Productive age women
- Work in places with a high risk of varicella exposure, such as hospitals, schools, and laboratories
- Frequent contact with people who have weak immune systems, for example due to HIV/AIDS or chemotherapy
Conditions Requiring Postponed Varicella Vaccine Administration
People who have a mild illness, such as a cough, runny nose, or low-grade fever can still get the varicella vaccine. However, the varicella vaccine should not be given or should be delayed in people who have the following conditions:
- Allergy to varicella vaccine, gelatin, and antibiotics neomycin
- Is pregnant
- Weak immune system, for example due to HIV/AIDS, genetic disorders, chemotherapy, or long-term use of corticosteroids
- Just received a blood transfusion
Some Side Effects of Varicella Vaccine
In general, the varicella vaccine is safe to use. There are some mild side effects that can appear after giving this vaccine, namely pain and swelling at the injection site, skin rash, and fever. Usually, these side effects will go away on their own within a few days.
If the side effects are bothersome, you can take paracetamol to relieve pain and fever after varicella vaccine administration.
The varicella vaccine is an effective and safe way to prevent chickenpox (varicella), which is highly contagious. Therefore, if you or your child has never received the varicella vaccine, you should consult a doctor to determine a schedule for giving the vaccine.