Pediatrics: Lillian Beard, M.D.

I've heard that you're better off allowing your child to get the chicken pox, rather than administering the vaccine, since the actual disease offers better immunity. Is this true?

By Lillian Beard, M.D.

Although chickenpox, a highly communicable viral disease, is usually mild and not life threatening to children who are otherwise healthy, it can still result in serious consequences. Prior to the availability of the chickenpox (Varicella) vaccine in the United States, nearly 4 million cases of chickenpox occurred each year, and resulted in more than 9,000 hospitalizations for the more serious complications of encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and pneumonia. More than 90 deaths were reported annually.

While the immunity conferred by having the disease may be slightly greater than that of the vaccine, the benefits of immunization against chickenpox are far greater than the risks or perceived benefits of allowing your child risk getting the disease.

The Varicella vaccine has been in use in the U.S. since 1995 and is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for all children over 12 months of age who do not have a history of the disease. Many school districts in our nation now require either a history of the disease or proof of immunization prior to the child's enrollment.

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