Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine side-effects?

Jazz is having her 18 month needle (Varicella) tomorrow. Are there any unusual side effects, different to other vaccinations? She usually comes down with a fever and a bit cranky, and a sore leg near where they do the needle (oh yeah, is this one in the leg or the arm?).


I've heard that a common side effect is the rash near the injection site, and that we should keep her away from lowered-immunity people while she has the rash. Does that mean it's contagious (because Shel has never had chicken pox hehe)? Does that mean Shel and I should also steer clear of lowered-immunity people?

We are looking after Squidipa #4 next Monday, do you think it would be an issue? I don't know if he's had the vaccine?

Some bubs can pass Chicken Pox on from a vaccination. If you want I do have some more info. DS 1 was vaxed for this and still caught it 3 months later. We have since chosen not to bother with vax anymore for either of the boys.

I would hold off on the vax until after seeing Squidpa if I was minding Squidpa. Julia had a fever from the injection but no rash. I havent got Tara's done yet as Julia had the chicken pox caught from daycare even though she had the injection so im unsure if Tara is immune.

Yes please. I really don't want for Jazz to pass it on to Josh, especially with bub comng next week. I'm thinking I should re-schedule?

the fact that jazz has had mild reactions to previous vaccines, i would hold off, as she is more likely to have a reaction to thsi vaccine as well, all be it mild.

the chance of passing the virus on to non immune people is very low as in .05% chance, but still the risk is there i guess.

the rash can take up to 21 days to appear as well but most commonly appears within 8 days post vaccination.
this information is direct from the immunisation handbook which all health care providers follow.

Juliette had hers last week & the nurse said that it is extremely uncommon for a child to have a reaction to the chicken pox vaccine & if they do it is very very mild. That said, if she has reacted to all of the others I'd hold off until after you've seen Squidipa. Juliette was unwell when hers was due so had it at 20 months & it wasn't a problem at all.

We decided to delay it, maybe we'll have it done in two or three months when the danger period is out of the way. Thanks everyone :hug:

My rugrats had theirs done about a month ago and we have not seen any side effects from it at all. It was one needle in the arm, neither of the babies even cried for this one and didn't have any fever or discomfort around the injection site at all.

Hope it goes ok when you decide to get it done.

The following is from 'Vaccination: Investigate before you vaccinate, A guide for parents'

Routine vaccinations for chickenpox infect children with a modified strain of virus that can cause and spread the symptoms of the disease. Natural chickenpox infection is a mild disease for most children and will result in lasting protection, pg 44

The claimed effectiveness of the chickenpox vaccine decreases significantly after one year but the injected vaccine strain may become latent and potentially reactivate later in life as shingles (JAMA Feb 18 2004; 29(7):851-5 & Abbas, CDC Chief of Biolgics in Atlanta, NY Times April 12 1999).

Adverse reactions include fever, injection site reaction, rash, cough, irritability, upper & lower respiratory illness, nervousness, fatigue, disturbed sleep, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, vomiting, otitis media, headache, malaise, nausea, eye complaints, cills, myalgia, allergic reactions, stiff neck, arthralgia, eczema/dry skin/dermatitis, constipation and itching.

Also check out the Australian Vaccination Network. Be warned though not everyone agrees with this site but the information they have on vaccines does come from government departments and vaccine manufactures. There is a link here.

Hey Leasha, just to let you kow that it is a live vaccine, and even after what we went through with DD will continue with future vaccines.

DD was admitted to hospital a fortnight after her with some kind of viral infection (she had become dehydrated as we tried for two days to get any kind of fluid in her but failed dismally) that the Dr's can only pinpoint to the chicken pox vax , as the onset of the virus and the timing from when the vaccine was admitted, matched perfectly. She didn't come down with the rash, although she had a viral rash for two days at the end of the virus.

DD may have been more susceptible to it as her immune system has taken a beating! And her reaction/infection is pretty rare.

So I would definitely be inclined to hold off on it as well, JIC.