Other Common Terms Used In The Vaccine Medical Records
There are some more common terms youll find in the medical records. Here are some of them:
1. Acellular Vaccine: As opposed to complete cells, an acellular vaccine is a vaccine that contains only a partial cellular material.
2. Active Immunity: Active immunity refers to the production of antibodies in the immune system to fight a specific disease. Active immunity can be acquired in two ways, i.e. through a vaccine or by contracting the disease. Active immunity is generally considered permanent, which means the individual is protected from a specific disease for the entire duration of his/her lives.
3. Inactivated Vaccines: Vaccines that are produced with the help of the inactivated version of the infection producing microorganism.
4. Live Attenuated Vaccine: These types of vaccines are created using live viruses with reduced/weakened virulence. They are believed to provide immunity for a longer period, but it can be unsafe if you have weakened immunity. Some of the live attenuated vaccines are rubella, measles, mumps, varicella, rotavirus, yellow fever, smallpox, and also some formulations of influenza, shingles, and typhoid vaccine.
5. Conjugate Vaccine: This type of vaccine evokes the immune response in the body against a specific microorganism by using a part of the infectious agent and a part of the weakened agent .
7. Bivalent Vaccine: A bivalent vaccine is designed to target two strains of a microorganism.
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What Immunizations Does My Child Need For School
So, your child is starting school and youre not sure if he or she has had the required vaccinations. Here are some items to look for when reading a vaccination record:
- four doses of pneumococcal vaccine
- three doses of hepatitis B, DTaP , HiB , and rotavirus
- two doses of polio vaccine
- one dose of hepatitis A, varicella , and MMR .
Preparations Of Varicella Vaccine
The varicella vaccine contains an attenuated wild strain of varicella and trace amounts of gelatin and neomycin. It is available as a single-antigen vaccine or as a combination vaccine with measles, mumps, rubella Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine effectively protects against all 3 infections. People who are given the MMR vaccine according to the US vaccination schedule are considered protected… read more .
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How Is Chickenpox Diagnosed
You should always call your doctor any time you develop an unexplained rash, especially if its accompanied by cold symptoms or fever. One of several viruses or infections could be affecting you. Tell your doctor right away if you are pregnant and have been exposed to chickenpox.
You doctor may be able to diagnose chickenpox based on a physical exam of blisters on you or your childs body. Or, lab tests can confirm the cause of the blisters.
- The rash spreads to your eyes.
- The rash is very red, tender, and warm .
- The rash is accompanied by dizziness or shortness of breath.
When complications occur, they most often affect:
- infants
Administration Of Varicella Vaccine
Vaccination against varicella is part of the routine vaccination schedule recommended for children Childhood Vaccination Schedule Most doctors follow the vaccination schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCsee the schedule for infants and children and the schedule for older children… read more . The vaccine is given as an injection under the skin. Two doses are given: at age 12 to 15 months and at age 4 to 6 years. It is also recommended for all adolescents and adults who have not had chickenpox or the vaccine. It is given to them in two doses 4 to 8 weeks apart.
Certain conditions may affect whether and when people are vaccinated . If people have a temporary illness, doctors usually wait to give the vaccine until the illness resolves.
Because the vaccine contains live virus, it is not given to pregnant women, people with a weakened immune system, or people with cancer of the bone marrow or lymphatic system.
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Who Should Not Be Vaccinated Against Chickenpox
Chickenpox vaccine is a live vaccine. This means that it can cause chickenpox, although it is usually milder, and it should not be used for certain groups of people who have reduced infection-fighting ability , such as if you:
- are pregnant
- are taking high-dose oral steroids such as prednisone or dexamethasone
- are getting chemotherapy or radiation
- have a condition that reduces your immunity such as cancer or HIV
- have active untreated TB
- have had another live vaccine within the past 4 weeks.
Are There Side Effects Associated With The Chickenpox Vaccine
All medicines have potential side effects. But the side effects associated with the varicella vaccine are generally mild. The most common are pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site. A small percentage of people develop a mild rash, usually around the spot where the shot was given. Severe side effects are very rare.
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Persons New To Canada
Health care providers who see persons newly arrived in Canada should review the immunization status and update immunization for these individuals as necessary. People from tropical regions are more likely to be susceptible to varicella and should be a priority for varicella immunization. Refer to immunization of persons new to Canada in Part 3 for additional information about varicella vaccination of people who are new to Canada.
What Is Chickenpox Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment And Prevention
Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a viral infection that typically causes a rash covering large areas of the skin.
The rash starts as small, red spots and progresses to itchy, fluid-filled blisters. These blisters eventually form a scab and heal, typically within a week or two.
Chickenpox is highly contagious and can spread quickly from an infected person to others, even without close personal contact.
While it typically affects children, chickenpox can also spread to adults who havent previously had the infection or the chickenpox vaccine. Adults are at higher risk for complications from chickenpox.
Before vaccination for chickenpox became routine in the United States, nearly everyone got chickenpox before adulthood. Since that time, cases of chickenpox and related hospitalizations have dropped dramatically.
While you can reduce your risk of catching chickenpox by avoiding contact with people known to be infected, the most effective way to prevent the disease is to get vaccinated.
If you suspect that you or your child has chickenpox, its a good idea to see a doctor. Your doctor can make a diagnosis and prescribe any necessary treatments.
While serious complications of chickenpox are rare, its possible for the disease to cause more dangerous secondary infections, brain damage, or even death.
Infants, adolescents, adults, pregnant women, and people with a weakened immune system are at highest risk for chickenpox complications.
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Development Of Live Attenuated Varicella Vaccine
Since the licensure of varicella vaccine, the incidence of varicella disease in the US has fallen by 90%, particularly after the 2 dose schedule was implemented in 2006., A similar decrease in hospitalizations has occurred, as well as a decrease in mortality of over 90%. Millions of dollars in health related costs have been saved by the routine use of varicella vaccine. When only 1 dose of vaccine was recommended, outbreaks of varicella continued to plague schools, but with the routine use of 2 doses these outbreaks have almost disappeared. Two doses of varicella vaccine prevents disease in 98% of vaccines. Waning of immunity against varicella after vaccination has not been observed. As will be further discussed, it is possible that periodic reactivation of VZV in the absence of symptoms contributes to maintenance of immunity.,, It may be that latency of VZV, initially thought to be a possible disadvantage of the vaccine is in reality an advantage that helps to maintain long-term immunity to the virus.
Dose Route Of Administration And Schedule
Live attenuated zoster vaccine
Dose
Each dose is 0.65 mL .
Route of administration
Each dose is 0.5 mL .
Route of administration
Intramuscular, into the deltoid region of the upper arm.
Administration of the RZV as a subcutaneous injection is a vaccine administration error and should be avoided. However, if Shingrix is inadvertently administered subcutaneously, that dose will be considered as valid in the vaccine series. The second dose will be given as per vaccine schedule.
For more information, refer to Vaccine Administration Practices in Part 1.
Schedule
2 doses, 2 to 6 months apart. A 0,12 months schedule may be considered for improved adherence to the 2nd dose .
Providers should consider different strategies to promote adherence to the two dose schedule for RZV .
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Who Should Not Get The Mmrv Vaccine
Children should not receive the vaccine if they have:
- allergies to the vaccine or any component of the vaccine
- known allergies to neomycin or
- previously experienced an allergic reaction to any measles, mumps, rubella and/or varicella vaccines.
Please consult with your health care provider if you have:
- a weakened immune system or take medications that suppress the immune system
- a personal or family history of febrile seizures
- previously had a severe allergic reaction to eggs, or anything that contained eggs
- received blood or blood products or
- a severe infection with a high fever greater than 38.5°C.
You should always discuss the benefits and risks of any vaccine with your health care provider or local public health unit prior to receiving the vaccine.
Who Should Have The Chickenpox Vaccine
It is recommended for certain individuals, such as:
- non-immune healthcare workers
- people who come into close contact with someone who has a weakened immune system
This is to lower the chances of infecting people at risk. For example, if you’re having chemotherapy treatment, it’s advisable that non-immune children close to you are given the chickenpox vaccine.
The vaccine would also be recommended if you were about to start work in a radiotherapy department and had not had chickenpox before.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Chickenpox
The main sign of chickenpox is a rash, consisting of itchy, fluid-filled blisters over red spots that cover large areas of the skin. This rash may start on the chest, back, or face before spreading to other areas.
After about a week, chickenpox blisters typically develop a crust and turn into scabs.
Other common symptoms associated with chickenpox include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Reduced appetite
These symptoms may start a day or two before the rash develops. If you develop these symptoms and know that youve been exposed to chickenpox, its a good idea to stay home to avoid infecting others.
Simultaneous Administration With Other Vaccines
RZV and LZV may be administered concomitantly with other live vaccines given by the parenteral, oral, or intranasal routes. For concomitant parenteral injections, different injection sites and separate needles and syringes should be used.
In general, inactivated vaccines including RZV may be administered concomitantly with, or at any time before or after, other inactivated vaccines or live vaccines protecting against a different disease.
LZV may be given at any time before or after live oral or intranasal vaccines. If two live parenteral vaccines are not administered concomitantly, there should be a period of at least 4 weeks before the second live parenteral vaccine is given.
Concomitant administration of pneumococcal 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine and LZV has not resulted in decreased efficacy and so the two vaccines can be given concomitantly.
For more information, refer to Timing of Vaccine Administration in Part 1.
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How Is Chickenpox Transmitted
The chickenpox virus spreads easily through the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. In addition, the disease can be spread through breathing in or touching the virus particles shed by the body. It can also be transmitted by indirect contact with items that had been in direct contact with active blisters. Chickenpox may also be transmitted by people with an active outbreak of shingles caused by the herpes zoster virus, and the varicella zoster virus may cause shingles.
Causes And Risk Factors Of Chickenpox
Chickenpox is caused by a virus called the varicella-zoster virus . Its also known as human herpes virus 3 , or as just the varicella or zoster virus.
Chickenpox is highly contagious and can be spread in a few different ways:
- Through direct contact with a chickenpox rash
- From a pregnant woman to her fetus
Youre at high risk for chickenpox in these situations only if youve never had the disease, or if you havent been vaccinated for it. Either having the disease or getting vaccinated usually gives you immunity for life.
Most people get chickenpox through close contact with someone else who has the infection. Chickenpox is contagious starting one to two days before a rash develops.
Its also possible to get chickenpox from someone with shingles , a viral infection that occurs when the chickenpox virus, which remains dormant in the body after the illness has resolved, reactivates later in life, causing a blistering rash that can be extremely painful.
In the rare situation that youve been vaccinated for chickenpox but still get the disease, you can pass on your infection to other people despite the likelihood that your symptoms will be mild.
There have been cases in which someone gets chickenpox more than once, but this is extremely rare.
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Vaccine Schedule And Administration
The National Immunisation Schedule varicella vaccine brand is changing from Varilrix to Varivax for eligible children and adults aged 12 months or older.
Varilrix will continue to be the funded varicella vaccine brand for infants aged 911 months who meet one of the special groups eligibility criteria.
Contraindications And Precautions Of Varicella Vaccine
Contraindications for varicella vaccine include
-
Known severe primary or acquired immunodeficiency Overview of Immunodeficiency Disorders Immunodeficiency disorders are associated with or predispose patients to various complications, including infections, autoimmune disorders, and lymphomas and other cancers. Primary immunodeficiencies… read more
-
Unless people are known to be immunocompetent, family history of 1st-degree relatives who have congenital hereditary immunodeficiency
-
Confirmed or suspected pregnancy
The single-antigen varicella vaccine may be given to children aged 1 to 8 years who have HIV infection if their CD4 percentage is 15 it may be given to those > 8 years if their CD4 count is 200/mcL.
Precautions with varicella vaccine include
-
Moderate or severe acute illness with or without fever
-
Recent treatment with blood products that contain antibody
-
Use of specific antiviral drugs: acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir
Breastfeeding is not a contraindication to vaccination. Women who are breastfeeding and do not have evidence of immunity can be vaccinated postpartum and continue breastfeeding.
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What Are The Chickenpox Vaccine Side Effects
While getting the chickenpox vaccine is generally very safe, some people experience side effects. Most people experience no side effects, and serious side effects are very rare. Generally, side effects will occur after the first vaccination rather than after the second dose. Possible reactions include fever, redness/soreness or swelling at the injection site, and several small bumps or a mild rash after vaccination. Serious side effects, such as low blood counts and severe brain reactions, from the varicella vaccine are very rare.
Managing Contacts Of Varicella Cases
Significant exposure to varicella-zoster virus is defined as:
- living in the same household as a person with active varicella or herpes zoster
- direct face-to-face contact with a person with varicella or herpes zoster for at least 5 minutes
- being in the same room with a person with varicella or herpes zoster for at least 1 hour
In the case of varicella infection, the period of infectivity is from 48 hours before the onset of rash until all lesions have crusted over. A person with localised herpes zoster is less likely to transmit the virus than someone with varicella.59
Vaccination for post-exposure prophylaxis
For post-exposure vaccination, people should receive varicella vaccine within 5 days after exposure, and preferably within 3 days.80-84
If varicella vaccine is not contraindicated, it can be offered to non-immune age-eligible children and adults who have had a significant exposure to varicella or herpes zoster and want protection against primary infection with varicella.80-84
Vaccination reduces the likelihood of varicella infection after exposure, especially moderate to severe disease. It also provides long-term protection. Vaccinating exposed people during outbreaks prevents further cases and controls outbreaks.84
If a child < 14 years of age also needs MMR vaccine is not routinely recommended as the 1st dose of MMR-containing vaccine in children aged < 4 years .
Zoster immunoglobulin
zoster immunoglobulin
Also contains glycine.
Serological testing
High-risk groups
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What Is The Long
The body can resolve most cases of chickenpox on its own. People usually return to normal activities within one to two weeks of diagnosis.
Once chickenpox heals, most people become immune to the virus. It wont be reactivated because VZV typically stays dormant in the body of a healthy person. In rare cases, it may re-emerge to cause another episode of chickenpox.
It is more common for shingles, a separate disorder also triggered by VZV, to occur later during adulthood. If a persons immune system is temporarily weakened, VZV may reactivate in the form of shingles. This usually occurs due to advanced age or having a debilitating illness.
Adolescents Aged 14 Years And Adults
All non-immune adolescents 14 years of age and adults are recommended to receive 2 doses of varicella vaccine
Varicella vaccine is recommended for all non-immune adolescents aged 14 years and adults.
Immunisation providers should make every effort to identify and immunise non-pregnant seronegative women of child-bearing age .
Adolescents and adults need to receive 2 doses of varicella vaccine to achieve adequate protection from varicella.2,3 The 2 doses should be given at least 4 weeks apart. However, a longer interval between vaccine doses is acceptable.
Lack of immunity to varicella should be based on a history of no previous varicella infection. This can be supplemented by serological testing for evidence of past infection. See Serological testing for varicella immunity from infection or vaccination.
MMRV vaccines are not recommended for use in people 14 years of age. There are no data on safety, immunogenicity or efficacy in this age group.
If a person 14 years of age is inadvertently given a dose of MMRV
Non-immune healthcare workers are strongly recommended to receive 2 doses of varicella vaccine given at least 4 weeks apart.
Nosocomial transmission of varicella is well recognised. Vaccination of healthcare workers helps to protect them from acquiring and transmitting varicella to vulnerable patients.4
Children
Older adolescents and adults
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