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October 11, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Crofton School Sees Outbreak of Chickenpox"

Annapolis Capital (www.hometownannapolis.com) (10/09/02) P. D1; Burke, Scott 

Seventeen cases of chickenpox, 10 of which emerged in just the past two weeks, have been reported at the Crofton Woods Elementary School, located in Crofton, Md., since early September, prompting state health officials to declare it an outbreak.  According to county health official Maureen Diaczok, all of the students had either been vaccinated with Varivax, the chickenpox vaccine, or they had already had the disease. Starting two years ago, Maryland required all kindergartners to receive the chickenpox vaccine before starting school if they had not already had the disease, and this year, state officials added first graders on that list.  However, Diaczok noted that the vaccine is not 100 percent effective, which is likely the reason why the students contracted the disease, but the symptoms are less severe for those who have been vaccinated if they do come down with the chickenpox.

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