Chickenpox vaccine for adults - when done, side effects

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Chickenpox, or in common parlance, chickenpox, is an infectious disease caused by the herpes zoster virus. Even in Soviet times, it was considered primarily a childhood disease, but recently, cases of infection in the older population are increasingly common. Therefore, it is important to know whether adults need a chickenpox vaccine, when it is done and how many times in a lifetime it is necessary to vaccinate.

Symptoms

The first signs of chickenpox infection appear as early as 1-2 days after infection and persist on average for a week. But the patient will have to be in quarantine for 14 days from the appearance of the last rash.

The main symptoms of chickenpox include:

• painful sensations in the muscles;
• increased body temperature;
• weakness;
• headache;
• A rash with a vesicle (clear fluid under the skin).

With chickenpox, the rash is localized in the upper body. On the legs and lower parts of the body, it appears very rarely. In some cases, the disease can occur without skin rashes.

Complications of chickenpox

Before deciding whether to put a vaccine against this disease, you need to know what the rejection of it leads to. Chickenpox can cause a number of rather serious complications. These include:

• inflammatory processes in bone tissues, as a result of which arthritis may develop;
• decreased functioning of the immune system;
• purulent formations on the skin, in particular, furunculosis;
• shingles;
• blindness;
• diseases of the brain of an infectious nature;
• development of pathologies of internal organs.

Chickenpox is especially dangerous for adults, since children tolerate it much easier and are less prone to developing complications. In adult patients, this disease can even be fatal.

When women who are expecting a baby become infected, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, doctors most often recommend terminating it. The virus causes serious developmental abnormalities in the fetus, often incompatible with life.

Indications for vaccination

Chickenpox vaccination is optional and therefore not included in the national immunization schedule. Doctors recommend vaccinating all children from 2 years old, but only to those who have never been sick.

It is also necessary to be vaccinated against chickenpox in the following cases:

• patients before donor organ transplantation (1-2 weeks before the procedure);
• after chemotherapy;
• when taking immunostimulating drugs;
• patients with acute leukemia;
• women 3 months before the planned conception;
• patients with diseases in a chronic form, but not in an exacerbation stage.

It is forbidden to vaccinate against chickenpox at any stage and with any form of immunodeficiency.

Contraindications for vaccination

Before getting vaccinated against chickenpox, you must undergo a medical examination. This is necessary in order to identify the presence of contraindications.

It is forbidden to use the vaccine in the following cases:

• during pregnancy and lactation;
• when taking immunoglobulins or blood products (vaccination is allowed only after 6 months);
• if there is any infectious disease (only a month after recovery);
• with acute or chronic pathologies in a neglected form;
• if the patient is sick with meningitis (six months after treatment);
• AIDS and HIV.

Also, do not vaccinate against chickenpox with individual intolerance to the components of the vaccine.

Types of vaccines

In total, there are currently several types of chickenpox vaccines, but in Russia only 2 of them are used - Okavas and Varilrix. Each of them has its own characteristics that must be studied in order to choose the most suitable one. At the same time, it is important to know how many years the actions of each and them last.

Okavax

The vaccine produced in Japan contains a live virus at a concentration of 1000 pfu. After its use, a stable immunity to the disease develops (from 20 years and more) in almost 90% of those vaccinated.

Okavax is suitable for emergency vaccination, immediately after contact with an infected person and within 3 days after it.

Indications for use - age from 1 year and (in some cases) women during lactation, but only according to the testimony of a doctor. Use during pregnancy is strictly prohibited. The Okavax chickenpox vaccine for adults and children of any age is done only once.

Within half an hour after vaccination, you must be under the supervision of a doctor to prevent an allergic reaction.

Validity period - from 20 years.

Varilrix

The Belgian live vaccine is approved for use from 1 year. Until the age of 13 years, 1 injection will be sufficient. Chickenpox vaccination for adults (from 13 years old) is given twice - with an interval of 6-10 weeks.

Can be used for emergency vaccination within 96 hours of contact with an infected person.

It is strictly forbidden to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Since the vaccination against chickenpox is not included in the list of mandatory, it is done only for a fee. The cost of Okavax is 2000-3500 rubles, Varilax is 4000-5500 rubles.

Validity period - from 20 years.

Possible complications after vaccination

Side effects of vaccination against chickenpox in adults are extremely rare, only 5% of those vaccinated. They usually occur in the first 2 days after the vaccine is given. The most common of them are:

• runny nose;
• cough;
• diarrhea;
• nausea;
• vomiting (very rare);
• weakness;
• drowsiness;
• increased fatigue;
• a feeling of heaviness in the muscles;
• pain in the abdomen;
• severe itching of the skin;
• irritation, redness on the skin;
• the appearance of rashes characteristic of chickenpox;
• a slight increase in body temperature.

Most often, the above side effects are mild and disappear within 2 days without any treatment.

Outcomes

Chickenpox is a highly infectious viral disease, which in Russia is considered to be childhood. Few people know how dangerous it can be, especially for adults. In a person at this age, chickenpox can cause not only a number of serious complications, but also lead to death.

Therefore, doctors recommend that adults be vaccinated against chickenpox. This will help avoid unpleasant consequences and develop strong immunity to the virus for many years.