Some years back, when chicken pox cases were high, the chicken pox vaccine was a necessity. But today, some parents question whether the shot is worth it and whether it's safe. Read on to learn about chicken pox vaccine safety and what to do in case of side effects.

Who Should Get the Chicken Pox Vaccine?

The chicken pox vaccine is mainly for children over the age of one. But also, adults who have never had chicken pox should consider the shot. In addition, adults who work with children, for example, in daycare centers, are more prone to severe chicken pox and should get vaccinated.

However, you should not get a chicken pox shot if:

• You are pregnant
• You have a weakened immune system
• You are allergic to the chicken pox vaccine ingredients

If you or your child has any of these conditions, consult your doctor before vaccination.

How Effective Is the Chicken Pox Shot?

Undoubtedly, the chicken pox vaccine is effective. Thanks to the vaccine, chicken pox cases have declined drastically. Reports show that chicken pox shots prevent over 3 million chicken pox cases annually in the US alone.

Can One Get Chicken Pox After Vaccination?

You may get chicken pox even if you've been vaccinated, but this chicken pox will be much milder and last for a shorter period. However, in rare cases, chicken pox can still be severe. Therefore, you should watch for signs of serious illness and contact a doctor if you have any concerns.

How Safe Is the Chicken Pox Shot?

Chicken pox shot is safe, but like any other medicine, the vaccine can have mild side effects. However, reports show that only approximately 2% of kids develop mild effects after vaccination.

For instance, some kids may develop mild chicken pox, but this occurrence is common in children who have never had chicken pox before. Note that this chicken pox should not be as severe as regular chicken pox. Your child may also develop a fever that goes away with time.

Other mild side effects of the chicken pox vaccine include:

• Mild fever
• Pain and redness around the injection area
• Mild swelling around the injection area

Note that these effects will go away after a few days. Therefore, parents have no reason to fear, especially if you consider the fatality of chicken pox. Prevention is much better than looking for a cure when the worst happens.

What If Your Child Develops Severe Side Effects?

In rare cases, the chicken pox vaccine can cause more severe side effects, such as pneumonia or brain inflammation. However, these side effects are incredibly rare and usually only occur in people with weakened immune systems.

If you or your child experiences any of the following after chicken pox vaccination, be sure to get in touch with a doctor immediately:

• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing
• Hoarseness
• Swelling of the face, mouth, or throat
• Hives
• Pale skin
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Rapid heartbeat

Note that while the injection site may become sore and painful, the pain should get better and disappear shortly. However, if the pain escalates daily, you may have suffered an injury.

When to File a Vaccine Injury Claim

Your doctor will assess the symptoms to determine if they result from a vaccine reaction. You can then use the doctor's reports to file a claim and get compensation.

Not all cases are viable for compensation, so you should hire a vaccine injury attorney to establish your eligibility for compensation. The lawyer will check the doctor's reports and the incidents that led to your symptoms.

You can also trust your attorney to investigate your case and gather solid proof to support your claim. Then, the vaccine lawyer will represent you in court as you take care of your child or focus on recovery.

Proving a vaccine injury is complex. But you can count on our expertise to make the process manageable for you. We have successfully represented many clients in vaccine injury cases and can help you too. So, contact us at Vaccine Injury Lawyers for more questions on vaccine injury and discuss how we can help you.