The state of Wisconsin requires that
all children who go to school get
the chickenpox shot, also called the
varicella vaccine. Parents have the
right to turn down the shot for their
children, as long as the reason is
written and signed by the parent.
However, you may want to think
twice before turning down the
chickenpox shot.
Isn’t It Part of
Childhood?
It wasn’t long ago that
chickenpox was a common
childhood experience.
Being covered in the itchy
rash from head to toe was as
much a part of growing up as
losing your first tooth. Many parents
don’t see dangers in children getting
chickenpox and don’t see the
reason for the shot that can stop
chickenpox. Seeing it as another
germ that their child is going to get
“sooner or later,” some wellmeaning
parents purposely
expose their
children to chickenpox.
But chickenpox
shouldn’t be taken lightly.
More serious cases tend to
occur in children suffering from a
“pass-along” infection, which results
from exposure to an infected person.
Older children and adults also
tend to suffer more severe cases.
Chickenpox can lead to serious
health problems. An estimated
10,000 people go to the hospital
and 100 people die of chickenpox
every year. The disease can also
come back and cause health problems
in adults who had the disease
as children.
The Shot Is Safe
The chickenpox shot
protects at least 90
percent of the children
who get the
shot from getting
the disease. The majority have no
side effects. Of those who have a
side effect, most will have a mild
reaction such as soreness or
swelling where the shot was given,
fever and mild rash. Your child’s
chance of being hurt by chickenpox
is greater than the chance of being
hurt by the vaccine.
Children should get the chickenpox
shot on or after their first birthday
if they have not had chickenpox.
Children ages 13 and older
who have not had chickenpox will
get two shots for full protection.
Talk with your child’s doctor to
learn more about the chickenpox
shot.
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