Chickenpox Vaccine

• Pain or swelling at the injection site for 1 to 2 days (in 19% of children)
• Mild fever lasting 1 to 3 days begins 17 to 28 days after the vaccine (in 14%). Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever over 102° F (39°C).
• Never give aspirin for fever, pain or within 6 weeks of receiving the vaccine (Reason: risk of Reye's syndrome - a rare but serious brain disease)
• Chickenpox-like vaccine rash (usually 2 lesions) at the injection site (in 3%)
• Chickenpox-like vaccine rash (usually 5 lesions) scattered over the body (in 4%)
• This mild rash begins 5 to 26 days after the vaccine and usually lasts a few days.
• Children with these vaccine rashes can go to day care or school. (Reason: for practical purposes, vaccine rashes are not contagious)
• EXCEPTION: avoid school if widespread, weepy lesions (Reason: probably actual chickenpox).
• Precaution: if vaccine rash contains fluid, cover it with clothing or Band-Aid.