Do the benefits of the varicella vaccine outweigh its risks?
Before the varicella vaccine was recommended for use in all children in 1995, about 4 million children were infected every year. In addition, chickenpox caused about 10,000 hospitalizations and 100 deaths a year — most of these hospitalizations and deaths occurred in previously healthy young children. So, although chickenpox causes much less severe disease, permanent disabilities, and death than other diseases such as polio, measles or rubella, it still is an important cause of severe disease in children. On the other hand, the varicella vaccine does not have serious side effects. Therefore, the benefits of the varicella vaccine clearly outweigh its risks. Reviewed by: Paul A.
