Do you need to get the chickenpox vaccine? What age should it be given? The best time to get the chickenpox vaccine

Patient's question:

No

Doctor's answer:

Chickenpox is an acute infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It accounts for more than 90% of transmission in children. Its hazards include: severe cases with high fever, rash, upper respiratory infection symptoms, and uncontrollable itching, which may also leave scars. Common complications are skin infections, pneumonia, and encephalitis, while other less frequent complications involve systemic multi-organ inflammation caused by the virus. After adulthood, the virus can remain dormant in the body and cause shingles (when immunity is low), or it may lead to postherpetic neuralgia. Chickenpox can be prevented through vaccination with the varicella vaccine. Children aged 12 months to 12 years are eligible to receive the vaccine.