Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the Varicella Zoster virus, and enters through your respiratory tract and conjunctiva.

When exposed to an infected person, 9 out of 10 people will catch chicken pox. You can get it:

Chickenpox is a common childhood infection that is usually mild and complications rare. Almost all children develop lifelong immunity after infection, so most only get it once. The disease can have a more serious impact for certain people:

The chickenpox vaccine has been shown to provide immunity in 9 out of 10 children vaccinated. The vaccine is less effective after childhood, with an estimated three-quarters of adults & adolescents immune after vaccination.

Unfortunately, the chickenpox vaccine is not part of the childhood immunization schedule, and is currently only given to people who are in close contact with someone that is particularly vulnerable to chickenpox.

Chickenpox is a generally mild disease, but there is no way to know who will have a mild case or who will develop serious complications. The vaccine will provide immunity without the risk of serious complicationsof the disease. It will also prevent your child missing school, as chickenpox on average results in 6.6 days off school/childcare.