Chicken Pox injection

The varicella vaccine (Varivax) is predicted to be 70 to 90 percent effective in preventing the disease. Before getting this vaccine, it would be wise to have your Health Care Provider (HCP) do a blood test to be certain that you are not already immune to chicken pox. Around 80% of adults who think they have not had chicken pox as a child are actually immune to the disease.


The varicella vaccine is not likely to transfer to breastmilk because it is a live strain. (Hale 1996.) "Neither killed nor live vaccines affect the safety of breastfeeding for mothers or infants", states the US Centers for Disease Control (1994.) Most live vaccines have not been demonstrated to be secreted in breast milk. Attenuated rubella vaccine virus has been detected in breast milk but has produced only asymptomatic infection in the nursing infant. Therefore, varicella vaccine may be considered for a nursing mother.” ACIP, Prevention of Varicella, pp. 19-20.


If you or your HCP are concerned about the effect of this vaccine on your nursing baby, discuss the possibility of the baby receiving the vaccine at the same time (Centers for Disease Control 1996.) Though most vaccines can be safely used by the nursing mother, it is advisable to remind your HCP that you are breastfeeding whenever a medication or vaccination is recommended.


Well Baby Clinic - 2849 1500

Matilda International Hospital

Hong Kong

http://www.matilda.org

This is one thing that should be checked by mothers contemplating PGat a pre-conceptual check, Have the Blood test for RUBELLA (German Measles) and VARICELLA (Chicken Pox) and get the shots if you are not immune.