Questions About Varicella Vaccine

Abstract

I read with interest Dr Stanley Plotkin's commentary on varicella vaccine in the February 1996 issue of Pediatrics. A lot of his points are very good. My main concern is the long-term immunity. As a "local medical doctor," chickenpox is seen as an irritating but generally mild disease. Complications can occur, but I don't see them often. In 11 plus years of general pediatric practice, I have admitted two patients for chickenpox complications; one had cerebellar ataxia and vomiting, and the other had a cellulitis.