Vaccine
Main article: Varicella vaccine.
The varicella vaccine is recommended in many countries. Some countries require the varicella vaccination or an exemption before entering elementary school. A second dose is recommended five years after the initial immunization. A vaccinated person is likely to have a milder case of chickenpox if they become infected. Immunization within three days of exposure may improve outcomes in children.
The varicella vaccine is a live (attenuated) virus administered to protect against the viral disease commonly known as chickenpox caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). Another vaccine that is known as zoster vaccine is simply a larger-than-normal dose of the same vaccine used against chickenpox, and is used in older adults to reduce the risk of shingles (also called herpes zoster) and postherpetic neuralgia, which are caused by the same virus.
The chickenpox vaccine was developed in 1995. The varicella vaccine is marketed as Varivax in the U.S. by Merck and globally as Varilrix by GlaxoSmithKline. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, a list of the most important medication needed in a basic health system.[1] In the United States, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued a recommendation in 2006 for two doses of varicella vaccine to be given universally to children, and it is part of the routine immunization schedule set by the Centers for Disease Control in the US.[2] Most European countries include it as part of universal vaccinations in children,[3] but not all countries provide the vaccine due to its cost.[4] In the UK, the vaccine is currently only recommended in people who are particularly vulnerable to chickenpox.[5]