Chickenpox vaccine
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The chickenpox vaccine is a live vaccine and as a precaution, is not usually recommended during pregnancy. However, if you have had a chickenpox vaccination while pregnant, you can be reassured that there is no evidence that it will harm your baby.
What is it?
The chickenpox vaccine helps your body to develop protection (immunity) against chickenpox. It contains a weakened (live) form of the chickenpox virus, which has been specially treated so that it does not cause illness in healthy people.
In the UK, there are two vaccines that protect against chickenpox only (Varilrix® and Varivax®), and two further vaccines that protect against chickenpox as well as measles, mumps, and rubella (Priorix-Tetra® and ProQuad®).
You do not usually need a chickenpox vaccination if you have already had chickenpox. Most adults in the UK had chickenpox infection during childhood and are already immune. It is very uncommon to get chickenpox more than once.
Benefits
What are the benefits of having a chickenpox vaccination?
If you have not had chickenpox before, vaccination can help prevent the infection and its complications.
Chickenpox can be very unpleasant. Adults who catch chickenpox are more likely to become seriously unwell and may need hospital treatment. Catching chickenpox during pregnancy can also harm your baby, especially if infection occurs in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy or around the time of birth.
Risks
Are there any risks of having a chickenpox vaccination during pregnancy?
As a precaution, live vaccines, including the chickenpox vaccine, are not usually recommended in pregnancy. However, studies of women who have had the chickenpox vaccine during pregnancy have not shown any evidence of harm to the baby.
If you are planning a pregnancy and are not sure whether you have had chickenpox before, speak to your GP. They may recommend vaccination before pregnancy to help protect you and your baby from complications caused by chickenpox.
Alternatives
Are there any alternatives to having a chickenpox vaccine?
If you have not already had chickenpox, vaccination before pregnancy is the best way to protect you and your baby from infection during pregnancy.
If you develop chickenpox while pregnant or are exposed to chickenpox during pregnancy and have not had it before (for example, if another member of your household catches chickenpox), you will be offered treatment with an antiviral medicine such as aciclovir. This can help reduce the risk of complications for you and your baby.
No treatment
What if I prefer not to receive a chickenpox vaccination?
It is generally safer to prevent chickenpox by being vaccinated before pregnancy than to catch chickenpox while pregnant.
If you are planning a pregnancy and are unsure about vaccination, it may help to think about your risk of catching chickenpox. Chickenpox is common and spreads easily from person to person.
You may be at higher risk of catching it if you:
• live with or care for young children
• work in settings such as schools, nurseries, or healthcare
If you have never had chickenpox and decide not to be vaccinated, it is very important to avoid contact with people who have chickenpox or shingles. If you think you have been exposed, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Will my baby need extra monitoring?
All pregnant women in the UK are offered a detailed anomaly scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy as part of routine antenatal care. No extra monitoring is required following chickenpox vaccination in pregnancy.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father received the chickenpox vaccine?
We would not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father has had a chickenpox.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.