Which high- risk group should receive Varicella vaccine and why?
Varicella vaccine is definitely indicated in certain high-risk groups: • Immuno-compromised host: Varicella can be very severe in immunocompromised host as seen before. Hence such children should be immunized irrespective of age. One needs to give 2 doses of injections. Care should be taken to stop chemotherapy/steroids for at least 2 weeks before and after vaccination or at least for the first dose of vaccination. • Healthy adults and adolescents (>13 yrs. old): Those with no definite history of chicken pox in the past can be assumed to be susceptible, as subclinical cases of varicella are rare. Such patients have high morbidity and occasional mortality if they develop chicken pox. Ideally all such adults should be vaccinated but specially the following high risk groups: i) Non-pregnant women of childbearing age. ii) Adults in contact with children who are at high risk of complications of chicken pox e.g. family members of a child with leukemia. iii) Those at high risk of exposure to
