What if I had chickenpox (varicella) as a child?
To prevent the transmission of chickenpox between the students, patients and faculty/staff of Berkeley Optometry, all students are expected to have evidence of immunity to varicella. This can be accomplished by either a positive blood titer or by evidence of 2 doses of the vaccine given at least 4-8 weeks apart. Since about 95% of the adult population is already immune to varicella, a titer is likely to be positive and is therefore the first step recommended in those who lack documentation for 2 doses of the vaccine Although some authorities consider a history of chickenpox as evidence for immunity (which appears to be true 99% of the time), a small number (1%) are not immune despite the history, presumably because of either a mistaken diagnosis or a waning of immunity over time. These individuals may needlessly be at risk for acquiring this preventable and sometimes quite serious disease, and they may also be at risk for spreading this disease to Berkeley Optometry patients, friends,
