For a long time, chickenpox was unavoidable and it was preferred that children contract it at a very young age, while it is milder. Since 1998, Canadians and French people can receive a chickenpox vaccine (Varivax III® in Canada, Varivax® in France, Varilrix® in France and Canada).

Vaccination against chickenpox has been included in the childhood vaccination program in Quebec since 2006, but not in France. It is usually given at the age of 12 months. Adolescents and adults who have never had chickenpox may also receive it (contraindications apply). The need for and effectiveness of a booster dose has not yet been established.

According to American scientific studies, vaccination provides protection for a minimum of 15 years³. In Japan, where the first chickenpox vaccine (another brand name) was manufactured, studies show that immunity is still present 25 years after vaccination. the efficiency rate varicella vaccine ranges from 70% to 90%. Also, in people who are not fully immunized, the vaccine may still lessen the severity of symptoms. Large study in the United States indicates that vaccination led to a significant reduction in cases of chickenpox (up to 90%), as well as a decrease in the number of hospitalizations and deaths caused by this disease¹.

There is also a combined vaccine appointed RRO-Var (Priorix-Tetra®) which offers protection against 4 infectious diseases in one injection: chickenpox, measles, rubella and mumps².

• Encourage children not to scratch their pimples.
• Cut fingernails and wash children’s hands regularly to prevent another skin infection from appearing, if they scratch themselves.
• People at higher risk of complications, such as pregnant women who have never had chickenpox and people with weakened immune systems, may benefit from avoid physical contact with affected children as well as with people with shingles (during a crisis only), as these people can also transmit the chickenpox virus.