Discussion
The chickenpox vaccination remains controversial. Opponents of the vaccination argue that chickenpox is a harmless disease and that the complication rate in old age is higher than in childhood and that the vaccination is only a postponement of the disease into old age. There have been many studies on this topic, but the fear is unfounded.
Many studies, as well as a study from Yale, prove that there is a permanent effectiveness of 98.3% due to the double vaccination. With only one vaccination the figure drops to below 90%. Since the vaccination is available in the states almost 10 years longer, there are comparative figures, none of which prove a feared transfer of the disease into adulthood.
Vaccination against chickenpox in adults
If an adult has not yet been vaccinated, this can be done in adulthood. Often unvaccinated adults have already gone through the disease. However, there are clear vaccination indications for certain groups of people. This applies to adults with a weakened immune system, patients with neurodermatitis, women who wish to have children, medical personnel in contact with children or people with a weakened immune system, as well as personnel in kindergartens or elementary school.
Should women be vaccinated before pregnancy?
Women who wish to have children, who do not yet have a vaccination against chickenpox or who have not yet had a chickenpox infection, should be vaccinated before pregnancy. If it cannot be determined whether a chickenpox infection occurred during childhood, the antibodies against chickenpox can be determined. If these antibodies are elevated, this indicates a previous chickenpox infection.
If a chickenpox infection occurs during an existing pregnancy, this can lead to a miscarriage or, in the unborn child, to a varicella syndrome (e.g. malformations of the eyes, the brain, the extremities). These complications should be prevented with a vaccination before the start of pregnancy. Live vaccines, such as the chickenpox vaccine, are contraindicated during pregnancy, therefore a woman should not become pregnant four weeks after an administered live vaccine. Live vaccines, on the other hand, can also be administered during pregnancy.
