Expanded chickenpox immunization program for young children

Second dose available August 1 for children four to six years old 

A second dose of the varicella (or chickenpox) vaccine will be part of the regular schedule of immunizations available free to all preschool children, starting August 1.

The vaccine will be combined with the second dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine scheduled for children between the ages of four and six. The initial dose of this vaccine is given to children at 12 months of age.
“Two doses of the vaccine will be made available to the more than 4,000 eligible pre-school aged children,” said Fred Horne, Minister of Health. “This vaccine helps to not only protect the young children receiving the immunization, it also protects family members who are at a heightened risk, such as a pregnant mother, a younger sibling or an older grandparent.”

“Varicella vaccine was found to be 90 per cent effective in preventing the disease, significantly increasing resistance for children, and protecting other family members,” said Dr. James Talbot, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. “We will combine the second dose with the regularly scheduled measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, as a way to make it easy for families to take advantage of this additional protection for their children.”

The second dose of a varicella-containing vaccine is available free of charge at any Alberta Health Services public health clinic to all children between the ages of four and six. While most people recover from the disease with no lasting effects, varicella can be very serious and even life-threatening to newborn babies, adults, and those who have weak immune systems. This vaccine program has an estimated budget of $1.7 million. For more information, visit www.albertahealthservices.ca or call HEALTHLink Alberta at 1-866-408-5465.