Vaccination against chickenpox

Vaccination against chickenpox

What is chickenpox? Can it be dangerous?

Chickenpox is a common viral disease that is highly contagious – it can be contracted by almost anyone who has not suffered from it in the past and who has had contact with an infected person. The disease mainly affects children, but it can be contracted at any age. Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), which spreads by droplet transmission and through direct contact with an ill person.

Chickenpox – symptoms

The disease often begins with fever (38.3-38.8 °C), headache, sore throat or abdominal pain. These symptoms may persist for several days.

A red, itchy skin rash usually appears on the abdomen or the back and on the face and then spreads to almost all other parts of the body, including the scalp, arms, legs and mucous membranes.

The rash starts with many small red spots and papules that resemble pimples or insect bites. They appear in waves over 2-4 days and develop into fluid-filled blisters, which later burst, leading to the formation of scabs.

Infection with the chickenpox virus is accompanied by the risk of a number of complications. What is more, severe course of the disease can occur in people who have so far been in good health.

The following groups of people are at increased risk of contracting chickenpox:

• persons over 20 years of age;

• pregnant women;

• newborns;

• persons with immunodeficiency.

In their case, the disease lasts longer and there is a greater likelihood of complications.

The most common complications include:

• bacterial superinfection of the skin, which leaves permanent scars on the skin;

• pneumonia;

• neurological complications such as cerebellitis, encephalitis or meningitis;

• myocarditis.

The following groups of people are at risk of particularly severe course of chickenpox:

• infants under one year of age;

• children over 12 years of age;

• adults;

• patients taking immunosuppressive drugs;

• patients undergoing treatment for haematological diseases or cancer;

• patients with impaired immunity;

• patients suffering from atopic dermatitis.

The best method of prevention is vaccination.

For whom is the vaccination intended?

Vaccination is recommended for:

• healthy people over 12 months of age (preferably between the 12th and 18th month of life);

• anyone who has not previously suffered from chickenpox, in particular children before they start school or kindergarten, or join a peer group at a nursery or a kids’ club;

• women planning to get pregnant;

• healthy people susceptible to chickenpox – as part of post-exposure prophylaxis, within 72 hours of contact with an infected person;

• persons at risk of severe course of chickenpox.

Vaccination schedule

The schedule of vaccination against chickenpox involves two doses of the vaccine.

It is recommended for the first dose to be administered between the 12th and 18th month of a child’s life, and the second dose – at least 6 weeks after the first one. The administration of two doses ensures long-lasting protection.

Chickenpox vaccine contains a live, weakened (attenuated) strain of the virus.

Why is it worth getting vaccinated?

• Effective method of preventing chickenpox – 95% of vaccinated people do not contract the disease.

• Prevention of severe course and complications of the disease.

• Reduced risk of contracting shingles.

What does the service consist of?

• 1 vaccine against chickenpox;

• 1 vaccine administration procedure.

• First, select the city and the Medical Centre where you would like to have the vaccination.

NOTE: Qualifying visits for vaccination are not included in the price. Patients who do not have these visits included in their healthcare plan can purchase them separately.

• After paying for the vaccination, book a qualifying visit for vaccinations. This visit is required prior to each vaccine administration. Vaccination takes place immediately after the qualifying visit.
• You can purchase and book the visit at a Medicover Centre reception desk or by calling the Hotline at +48 500 900 550.
• If the doctor does not approve the patient for vaccination, the patient must book another qualifying visit on the date indicated by the doctor. The patient must pay for this visit separately (unless it is included in the patient’s healthcare plan).