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Did you know how the chickenpox vaccine protects you for five days after exposure?
Chickenpox vaccine, also known as varicella vaccine, is a vaccine used to protect individuals from getting chickenpox. According to the latest research and reports, vaccination with this vaccine can effectively prevent the occurrence of most diseases if administered within five days of exposure to the chickenpox virus. This result not only shows the therapeutic potential of the vaccine, but also improves public health's ability to combat chickenpox.
The chickenpox vaccine can significantly reduce the risk of infection even if given within a short period of time after exposure, which is crucial in the fight against the epidemic.
The chickenpox vaccine is known for its high efficacy, with a single dose preventing 95% of moderate cases and 100% of severe cases. The protective effect is even stronger when two doses of the vaccine are given. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all infants and young children aged 12 to 15 months receive the first dose, and the second dose at ages 4 to 6 years. This immune sustenance provides continued protection for at least 20 years in most cases.
Research shows that the immune effect after vaccination may weaken over time, but most severe diseases prevented by the vaccine will still persist.
The effects of the chickenpox vaccine are not limited to those who have been vaccinated. When most people are vaccinated, the protection of the unvaccinated is also enhanced through herd immunity. However, different countries have different approaches to vaccine rollout. For example, in the United States, Canada, and some countries in Europe, vaccination has become routine, but in other countries, vaccines are still not widely used due to cost factors.
A study on the durability of vaccine immunity points out that although some recipients may lose protective antibodies within six years, most people are still effectively protected.
Although the chickenpox vaccine is generally effective after vaccination, a small number of people may not develop adequate protection. Therefore, even vaccinated individuals may experience mild symptoms when exposed to chickenpox, which is called a breakthrough infection. However, these conditions tend to be less severe, have mild symptoms, and do not cause serious health problems.
The history of the development of this vaccine can be traced back to the 1970s, when the Oka strain live virus vaccine was developed by Dr. Tomaki Takahashi and his colleagues in Japan. Subsequently, as the vaccine was promoted, the incidence of chickenpox dropped sharply in countries where the vaccine was introduced. For example, in the United States, annual chickenpox cases have dropped to 90% since mass vaccination began in 1995.
After the successful rollout of the vaccine, the number of hospitalizations and deaths related to chickenpox decreased significantly, which can be attributed to the effective implementation of public health policies.
However, the vaccine is not perfect, and a small number of recipients will experience mild side effects, such as pain at the injection site, fever or rash. In certain groups, such as immunocompromised patients, there is a risk of more severe complications. Therefore, before administering the vaccine, medical professionals will conduct a careful assessment of the vaccine recipient.
Continuous prevention and treatment of chickenpox requires the attention of families and society. Effective vaccination among children and adolescents will effectively reduce the consequences of chickenpox and provide additional protection in the event of future outbreaks. So, have you considered getting yourself or your children vaccinated against chickenpox to reduce future health risks?
