Vaccinating Against Varicella at 9 Months of Age

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So, because a 2 dose schedule is routinely recommended at age 12, it should be okay at 12 months…… SM

 

http://pediatrics.medscape.com/Medscape/pediatrics/AskExperts/2001/06/PED-ae12.html

 

Ask the Experts on . . .

Vaccinating Against Varicella at 9 Months of Age

BackQuestion

We have just encountered a patient who was inadvertently vaccinated against varicella at 9 months of age. Should we repeat the vaccine at 1 year of age?

Dr. D. Katz

BackResponse

from Samuel L. Katz, MD, 06/21/01
Varicella vaccine was licensed for routine use in the United States in March 1995 and has been recommended for use in healthy varicella-susceptible persons over the age of 1 year by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice of the Centers for Disease Control (ACIP/CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Family Practitioners (AAFP).[1-3]

Administration of vaccine prior to 12 months of age is inadvisable because of the persistence of maternal transplacental antibody which may block replication of the vaccine virus. It is doubtful that varicella vaccine would be successful at the early age of 9 months. The vaccine should be repeated at or shortly after the first birthday when its immunogenicity is assured. The extra dose should have no ill effects and should be safe. Indeed, for youngsters over 12 years of age, a 2-dose schedule is recommended routinely.

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention of varicella. Updated Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1999;48:1-5.
  2. Vazquez N, LaRussa PS, Gershon AA, Steinberg SP, Freudigman K, Shapiro ED. The effectiveness of the varicella vaccine in clinical practice. N Engl J Med. 2001;344:955-960.
  3. Committee on Infectious Diseases. Varicella vaccine update. Pediatrics. 2000;105:136-141.

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.