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April 04, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Chickenpox Shots Required for School"

Baton Rouge Advocate (www.theadvocate.com) (04/02/03); Shuler, Marsha

Louisiana children entering kindergarten, day-care or Head Start programs in the fall will now be required to have the chickenpox vaccine.  The chickenpox vaccine has been given for over five years now in Louisiana, said Dr. Frank Welch, and many area children have already received the shot; but this new requirement will mean that older school children who missed getting the shot as infants will now have to get it.  Generally, children receive the vaccine between 12 months and 23 months of age, but it can be given up to children up to 18 years old.  While the chickenpox is usually mild in children, it can lead to pneumonia and other serious complications and, in unvaccinated adults, chickenpox can be especially severe.

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