Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccination

[Aava.Wong]

i got a letter from my son's kindi regarding influenza and chicken pox vaccinations. i thought the chicken pox vaccination was given when they were newborns+? also, his teacher said that the government clinic/hospital would have given it to him already. however, the school clinic said that the government didn't cover chicken pox vaccination.

does anyone know whether chicken pox vaccination was covered by the government? i don't see it listed on the immunisation record so the answer is probably in "black and white" but i would like a reconfirmation please.

cheers!

 

[elle]

The varicella vaccine is given in two doses. A child should have the first shot at the age of 12-18 months. The second shot should be given at the age of 4 to 6 years.

Sorry, not sure if government covers the vaccine as we just do ours privately.

 

[Gataloca]

I think Chicken pox it not mandatory, therefore, it is not covered by the government.

 

[Aava.Wong]

yeah maybe it was not covered by the government as the ones listed on his immunisation record are BCG, Hep B, DTap-IPV, MMR and Pneumococcal...

 

[Fichle]

Varicella (chickenpox) is a highly contagious disease that is very uncomfortable and sometimes serious. The chickenpox vaccine is the best protection against chickenpox.The vaccine is currently only offered to people who are particularly vulnerable to chickenpox.So that it is not covered by the Government.

 

[Gemma]

It is routinely offered in the private system but not in the public.

 

[penguinsix]

Chickenpox played a role in the death of a child last year from Scarlet Fever. The five-year-old had just caught the chicken pox and was in the process of recovering from that when they caught Scarlet Fever. The weakened state of the child was not sufficient to fight off the second infection.

http://phys.org/news/2011-06-hong-kong-scarlet-fever-death.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13858115

I haven't heard as much this year on the outbreak of Scarlet Fever but it is still present from time to time.

http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/media/588.html

 

[lesliefu]

It's not part of the government ones but definitely get it done...I would assume that kids are required to have it done upon entering school...

 

[elle]

It's not part of the government ones but definitely get it done...I would assume that kids are required to have it done upon entering school...

No, it is not a required immunization to enter school. None of the schools that we have applied to require it. Doctors also differ in opinion regarding whether kids should have this one and parents should weigh the pros and cons after talking with their doctor.

 

[meimeid]

Our son just got his chicken pox vaccination as well. The doctor did mention however that getting this vaccination doesn't mean he won't get it, he could still but probably with less severe symptoms.