What are the contraindications to Varicella vaccine?
Firstly it is not indicated in those who have definite history of chickenpox in the past. It is contraindicated in-patients with neomycin hypersensitivity as the vaccine contains traces of neomycin. It is contraindicated in patients with immunodeficiency including symptomatic HIV and in children with acute leukemia on chemotherapy. For patients with leukemia in remission, chemotherapy should be withheld for at least 2 weeks before and after the first dose of vaccine. Similarly patients on high dose of long-term steroids should be given the vaccine when steroids are temporarily withheld for at least 2 weeks before and after vaccine. It is contraindicated during pregnancy and in fact pregnancy should be avoided for at least 6-8 weeks after vaccination. What is herpes zoster? Varicella and herpes zoster are manifestations of the same virus i.e. varicella virus. When a person comes in contact with the virus for the first time, he develops chickenpox. Even when he recovers, the virus remain
