Side Effects of the Chicken Pox Vaccine for Babies

Typically, a baby's first year of life is filled with doctor's visits every three months, which often include vaccinations. One of the major vaccinations is chicken pox, and the first dose is usually given at the one year mark for a child. But what a lot of unsuspecting parents don't know about is the side effects of this vaccination. What should you be on the lookout for?

1. Skin changes

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), only 1 in 4 children will have a skin reaction to the vaccine. Skin reactions include small blisters (actual chicken pox), usually on the hands, feet, and buttocks. You might also notice what looks like a heat rash on your baby's skin, but usually very mild.

2. The shot site

Some babies develop swelling and soreness at the site of the shot. You can usually help this by applying a cold washcloth. Or, if your baby can tolerate it, apply an ice pack packed in a towel for a few minutes, repeated every once in a while, until the swelling goes down.

3. Fussiness

Many babies get a little fussy and cranky after their vaccinations, and the chicken pox vaccine is no exception. You may notice that your baby is a little 'off' for a few days, but generally it's a very mild side effect.

4. Fever

Some babies develop a slight fever after any vaccination, but especially this one. It's not enough to warrant a great concern if it's less than 102 and doesn't last very long, but it's good to know that it could happen.

5. Extremely rare reactions

Although it's a rare side effect, it is good to keep in mind that a seizure can possibly occur in reaction to the vaccination. According to the CDC, this kind of reaction usually occurs within 24 hours of the vaccination.

Another very rare occurrence would be pneumonia. This also would occur within days of the vaccination, but with any vaccine, it's always good to know about it and keep it in mind when watching your baby afterwards.

6. Time table?

One surprising fact about the chicken pox vaccine is how long it may take side effects to show up. The CDC quotes that the most common side effects can take 7 - 21 days to start appearing. However, according to my pediatrician, and the experiences of several mothers I've spoken with, some side effects begin to appear within a few days. Speaking from personal experience, my daughter developed the actual pox blisters on her feet the day after the vaccine, but was otherwise completely normal. You just never know how or when your baby may react to the vaccine. One common factor seems to be that once you hit the three week mark, you're pretty much in the clear.

Knowing that my daughter had a reaction to the vaccine, would I still recommend it? Absolutely. Chicken pox itself can be quite dangerous to a young child, and even more painful to adults if they catch it later on in life (which is then called shingles). When I think about how quickly every cold or virus travels through children, I think it's absolutely imperative to protect our children as much as possible.

Sources:
personal experience
pediatrician's counsel
www.babycenter.com/0_the-chicken-pox-vaccine_1725.bc
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/side-effects.htm#varicella