Varicella vaccine

The first vaccine to prevent varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, was launched in Johannesburg on Thursday. Manufacturing company GlaxoSmithKline said it was the first time that a vaccine for this disease was available in South Africa. The vaccine can be safely administered to babies from the age of nine months and also to children, adolescents and adults who fall within risk groups. The company said it was difficult to give precise statistics on the prevalence and incidences of chickenpox and its complications because it was not a notifiable disease. It had, however, become apparent that more adults were contracting the disease than before. The disease had several complications that mostly occurred in adolescents, adults, and people with low resistance due to other medical problems and newborn babies. Pregnant women were also more susceptible to complications from chickenpox and could infect their unborn babies as well. Babies born with chickenpox could suffer from a low birth weight, poorly formed limbs and mental retardation. One of the most common complications from the disease was pneumonia. The risk of a chickenpox victim contracting pneumonia was significantly higher in smokers and children with compromised immuno-systems, the company said. The bacteria* that cause chickenpox could remain in a patient's body and later in life affect the nerve endings, leading to a painful condition commonly known as shingles. Chickenpox is a highly infectious disease that usually starts with flu-like symptoms after an incubation period of about two weeks. A rose-coloured rash usually appears on the infected person's skin with a fluid-filled blister in the middle of each spot. The rash may be itchy and a secondary infection can be contracted due to scratching. Infection of the skin could lead to scarring. (SAPA, 18 October 2001) * Please note that chickenpox is caused by a virus, not a bacterium. Error in original news article