From the Guidelines
The chickenpox vaccine is typically administered in two doses, with the first dose recommended at 12-15 months of age and the second dose at 4-6 years of age. This vaccine, called varicella vaccine, is part of the standard childhood immunization schedule 1. For children who didn't receive the vaccine during these recommended ages, catch-up vaccination is possible at any age.
Key Points
- The first dose of varicella vaccine should be administered at age 12--15 months 1.
- The second dose of varicella vaccine should be administered at age 4--6 years 1.
- Adolescents aged 13 and older who have never had chickenpox or been vaccinated should receive two doses at least 28 days apart 1.
- The vaccine works by introducing a weakened form of the varicella-zoster virus, which causes the body to produce antibodies against it without causing the full disease.
- This vaccination is important because it prevents chickenpox, which can cause uncomfortable symptoms and occasionally serious complications, and also reduces the risk of developing shingles later in life.
Additional Considerations
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of combination vaccines when all vaccine components are indicated to minimize the number of injections children receive 1.
- A routine health maintenance visit at 11 to 12 years of age is recommended for all adolescents to evaluate immunization status and administer necessary vaccines, including varicella vaccine 1.
From the Research
Vaccination Age for Chickenpox
The age at which individuals are vaccinated for chickenpox is not explicitly stated in the provided studies. However, some information can be inferred:
- The studies discuss the effectiveness of varicella vaccine in generating immune responses that prevent natural infection for at least several decades 2.
- They also mention that vaccination is recommended for children, adolescents, and adults 3, 4.
- One study notes that two doses of varicella vaccine are administered in childhood 2, but it does not specify the exact age range.
Key Points
- Varicella vaccine is intended to mimic the tempo and nature of the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to varicella infection 2.
- Two doses of varicella vaccine administered in childhood have been very effective in generating varicella-zoster virus (VZV) immune responses 2.
- Vaccination with the VZV vaccine may boost IgG but not IgE-specific viral responses and concurrently increase the numbers of CD19+ B cells 3.
Limitations
- The provided studies do not directly address the question of at what age individuals are vaccinated for chickenpox.
- More research is needed to determine the exact age range for varicella vaccination.