3i.4 What is the current recommendation for the chicken pox vaccine be part for children?
Description
This article is from the Childhood Vaccinations FAQ, by Lynn Gazis-Sax lynng@alsirat.com with numerous contributions by others.
3i.4 What is the current recommendation for the chicken pox vaccine be part for children?
The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine was first licensed for use among
high-risk children in several European countries in 1984, in Japan in
1986, and in Korea in 1988. It has been used for healthy children in
Japan and Korea since 1989. This vaccine was licensed by FDA on March
17, l995. It is manufactured by Merck and Co. Inc. under the trade
name "Varivax." On July 12, 1996, ACIP came out with its
recommendations for the new vaccine. ACIP recommends that all children
be routinely vaccinated at 12-18 months of age. The American Academy
of Pediatrics recommends that it be given to everyone over the age of
one who is not already immune to chicken pox. Currently it is approved
by the FDA for a single injection in children ages 12 months to 12
years, and two injections 4-8 weeks apart for adolescents and
adults--ages 13 and older-- who have not contracted chickenpox. Since
the vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective when given at the
same time as measles, mumps and rubella vaccines, it is likely many
physicians will give it either at the 12 or 15 month checkup. Research
is underway for development of a combination measles, mumps, rubella
and varicella vaccine to avoid the need for a second injection. It is
unknown when this product may become licensed.
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