Varicella Vaccine Guidelines

Abstract

The American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) recommendation¹ to administer Varivax to patients lacking reliable histories of varicella infection is important. However, what constitutes a reliable history of previous vanicella infection? Because parents, at times, misinterpret the significance of their children's rashes; because studies² suggest that 3% of children may be misdiagnosed as having chickenpox; and, because adolescents are at higher risk for severe complications to chickenpox, I would suggest that, in the 13 years and older age groups, one should err on the side of giving the Varivax immunization.