Chickenpox primary prevention

Vaccination
A varicella vaccine has been available since 1995 to inoculate against the disease. Some countries require the varicella vaccination or an exemption before entering elementary school. Protection is not lifelong and further vaccination is necessary five years after the initial immunization.

In the UK, varicella antibodies are measured as part of the routine of prenatal care, and by 2005 all NHS healthcare personnel had determined their immunity and been immunised if they were non-immune and have direct patient contact. Population-based immunization against varicella is not otherwise practiced in the UK, because of lack of evidence of lasting efficacy or public health benefit.

Normal Reactions to vaccine are What to do should reaction occur
 * Fever of 101.9 (38.9 C) up to 42 days after Injection
 * Soreness, inching at the site of injection within 2 days
 * Rash occurring at site of injection anywhere form 8 to 19 days after injection. If this happens you are considered contagious.
 * Rash on other parts of body anywhere from 5 to 26 days after injection. If this happens you are considered contagious.

Control fever and lessen discomfort, take medication containing acetaminophen, (AKA paracetamol) such as
 * Panadol,
 * Tempra,
 * Tylenol.

Vaccine storage
All varicella-containing vaccines should be stored in a continuously frozen state at the manufacturer recommended freezer temperature until administration. Varicella and zoster vaccines should be stored at +5°F (-15°C) or colder. The combination vaccine measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) should also be stored frozen between -58°F and +5°F (-50°C to -15°C). If varicella and zoster vaccines are stored in the freezer with MMRV, keep the temperature between -58°F and +5°F (-50°C to -15°C). Measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR) can be stored either in the freezer or the refrigerator. When stored in the freezer, the temperature should be the same as that required for MMRV, between -58°F and +5°F (-50°C to -15°C). Storing MMR in the freezer with MMRV may help prevent inadvertent storage of MMRV in the refrigerator.

CDC strongly discourages transport of varicella-containing vaccines to off-site clinics. All varicella-containing vaccines are fragile. If these vaccines must be transported to an off-site clinic, the vaccine manufacturer recommends they be trans322 Varicella 21 ported and stored at refrigerator temperatures, between 35°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C), for no more than 72 continuous hours prior to reconstitution. Vaccine stored between 35°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C) that is not used within 72 hours of removal from the freezer should be discarded. Varicella-containing vaccines cannot be refrozen. Providers should contact their immunization program for advice and details.

Having a patient pick up a dose of vaccine (e.g., zoster vaccine) at a pharmacy and transporting it in a bag to a clinic for administration is not an acceptable transport method for zoster vaccine or any other vaccine. The vaccine diluent should be stored separately at room temperature or in the refrigerator. The vaccine should be reconstituted according to the directions in the package insert and only with the diluent supplied (or with the diluent supplied for MMR vaccine), which does not contain preservative or other antiviral substances that might inactivate the vaccine virus. Once reconstituted, all varicella containing vaccines must be used immediately to minimize loss of potency. The vaccine must be discarded if not used within 30 minutes of reconstitution. Mishandled varicella vaccine should be clearly marked and replaced in the freezer separate from properly handled vaccine. The manufacturer must be contacted for recommendations before any mishandled vaccine is used.