Is there a chicken pox vaccine?
A vaccine against chicken pox is now available in Canada. It is safe and effective for healthy children and prevents chicken pox most of the time. The vaccine is given as a single dose to children 12 months to 12 years of age. Adolescents and adults should have two doses four to eight weeks apart. Those who develop the illness, even though they have had the vaccine, have mild symptoms. Talk to your doctor about immunizing your child. Top What can you do about chicken pox? Watch for symptoms if your child has recently been around a child who now has chicken pox. It could take two to three weeks for your child to show signs of infection. If he or she does develop chicken pox, make sure you tell his or her child care staff or teacher. Contact your doctor if you have any questions. If your child has fever, do not give acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), or any products that contain ASA. Aspirin increases the risk of getting Reye s Syndrome. This severe illness can damage the child s liver and brai
