Varicella vaccination  provides immunity to children against illnesses like chickenpox. Here is what  parents must know about varicella vaccination.Probably  one of the most common diseases which 90% of the people in a crowd have had is  chickenpox. However, although it is regarded to be a very common and  not-so-serious health problem many people in the earlier days have died due to  chickenpox as well. For this reason, after a lot of research, the 
chickenpox  vaccination was invented.
What is the chickenpox  vaccine?
The main reason behind 
chickenpox  is the Varicella-zoster virus. A very common virus, Varicella-zoster, even  spread a lot faster than a lot of other viruses. The chickenpox vaccine is  called VAR, which is nothing but the ‘weakened’ form of the Varicella-zoster  virus. This vaccine acts as a protecting guard for the person who is exposed to  the virus anywhere. Hence, the person is very unlikely to attract the virus and  therefore, he or she will not have to undergo the painful and ugly disease  called chickenpox.
What are the benefits of VAR  vaccine?
Chickenpox is no joke! If a  child gets it, he or she will have to suffer a lot. With high fever and  blisters all over the face and body, chickenpox might leave beyond permanent  marks on the patient’s face as well. Also, the kid will have to stay at home  for at least 10 days without his friends and school as chickenpox is highly  communicable. Hence, vaccination is beneficial.
Chickenpox  can also be deadly at times if the disease is not treated well. Before the  vaccination was invented, almost around 10,600 hospitalisations and also 100 to  150 deaths occurred in the United States annually.
The  vaccine acts as a protecting guard for the children. Although it is not 100%  safe as 9 out of every 10 child can get chickenpox, still the symptoms will not  be that severe, i.e. no fever, around 50 or less blisters, and less  weakness.
The vaccine also protects the children from  another similar disease called shingles. This also makes the patient suffer a  lot with painful blisters.
Who should get this VAR  vaccine?
This vaccination is  generally recommended for the children. Even various schools around the world  ask for a proof from the child’s parents during admission that he or she has  received the VAR vaccination. Two 
vaccine  shots are given in two distinctive age  groups:
- Between 12 to 15 months
 - Between 4 to 6 years
 - Suppose the kid did not get the  vaccine in childhood and hence, he or she can receive it at the age of 13  years. It will again be two shots and the 2nd dose should always be given after  4 weeks of giving the 1st dose.
 - The ones who have got only one  dose during childhood should get the second dose by this age.
 - Women who are planning to get  married should also do a blood test in order to know whether she is protected  against chicken pox or not.
 
Who should not get this  vaccination?
It is true that not  everyone should receive this vaccine. Who are they?
- The ones who have received this  vaccination before and also suffered from allergic reactions  afterwards.
 - Pregnant women.
 - Some of the HIV-contaminated  persons.
 - If a person’s immune system is not  good due to any previous illness.
 - A person suffering from high fever  or cold should wait until he or she gets fully cured before receiving the  vaccine.
 
What are the side effects of  VAR vaccination?
Like any other  vaccination, even VAR has some mild side effects.
- The vaccinated person can  find rashes on the body after one month of getting the vaccine. Very rarely  though, the person can even spread chickenpox to others.
 - Allergic reactions may  occur in front of the vaccine  shot site.
 
So, if you have just delivered a  baby and you want your little one to be away from such painful illness, make  sure that he or she gets this vaccination after attaining the preferred  age.
When is varicella vaccination given to  children? What is the importance of giving varicella vaccination to children?  What are the side-effects of varicella vaccine? Discuss  here.