Measles and Chickenpox Vaccine
How safe and necessary is the measles vaccine?
It is very safe and very necessary.
Measles is usually a relatively mild disease, but it may cause severe problems in a small number of children. These problems can include brain inflammation, ear infections, pneumonia, eye infections, fitting and (rarely in U.S) death.
The complications of the vaccine are extremely rare, and relatively mild. The most common (3%) is a very mild attack of the measles.
It is a vaccine that is normally combined with that against mumps and rubella, and so is very beneficial. It is normally given at 12 months of age, and again at five years of age.
If for no other reason than to avoid the inconvenience of a child developing the disease the day before you depart for your annual holiday, you should ensure that your child receives this vaccine.
Doctors hope that with intensive vaccination campaigns, measles may be totally eradicated in U.S.
Can you tell me about the new chickenpox vaccine that I have heard is now available. Is it a good idea?
The chickenpox {Varicella zoster) vaccine was first introduced to Australia in 2000 and is obviously a good idea if you want your child to avoid this infection, but it is not yet a routine vaccination, is not subsidized by the government, and is quite expensive (but not as expensive as missing a few days of work to eventually look after your sick child).
It is recommended for children from 9 months to 12 years of age, and only one injection is necessary. Older children and adults require two injections six weeks apart.
It is not for use in pregnancy, and must be used with caution in breast feeding. You should not have the vaccination if you are sensitive to neomycin, have received a blood transfusion recently or are suffering from a high fever.
The only common side effect is local soreness at injection site. Unusual side effects include a rash and a vaccinated person may rarely pass the virus on to an unvaccinated person to cause chickenpox.