KidsDirect

Where Children are our Priority

  • BabiesDirect
    • Boys Baby Names
    • Girl Baby Names
    • Month to Month Diary
    • Ultimate Breastfeeding Guide
      • Let’s Latch On Properly
      • Suggestions for Successful Breastfeeding
      • Breast Milk vs. Formula Chart
      • Common Breastfeeding Problems
      • Breastfeeding Myths
      • Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk?
      • Why Breastfeed?
      • Suggestions for Successful Breastfeeding
      • Breastfeeding Techniques
  • Pregnancy
    • Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy
    • Ectopic Pregnancy
    • The Trimesters
      • First Trimester
      • Second Trimester
      • Third Trimester
    • Ovulation
    • Pregnancy and Prenatal Tools
      • Pregnancy Follower
      • Pregnancy Weekly Calculator
      • Prenatal Appointment Timeline
      • Pregnancy Weight Gain Chart
    • Pregnancy FAQ
    • Pregnancy and Nutrition
    • The Trimesters
      • Second Trimester
      • Third Trimester
    • Pregnancy and Pets
    • Month to Month Diary
      • Month 1
      • Month 2
      • Month 3
      • Month 4
      • Month 5
      • Month 6
      • Month 7
      • Month 8
      • Month 9
      • Month 10
      • Month 11 (First Month after Birth)
      • Month 12 (Second Month after Birth)
    • Nutrition Serving Sizes
    • Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy
    • Tests During Pregnancy – First Trimester
    • Tests During Pregnancy – Second Trimester
    • Tests During Pregnancy – Third Trimester
  • ParentsDirect
    • Email Safety
    • Fathering Section
      • Dads for the First Time
      • Dad’s Checklist for Baby Delivery
      • Dad Needs a Job?
      • Tantrums
    • Are There Other Good Websites Out There?
    • History of Child Safe Web Surfing
    • Online Assistant
    • Parent Talk Articles
    • 12 Tips for Unorganized Kids
    • Are There Different Types of Learning Disabilities?
    • Losing Your Temper: Why Parents Blow It and How to Recover
    • How Can I Keep My Child Safe from Things I Don’t Want Them to See?
    • Go To This Assistant’s Fundamental Rules
    • How Can I Keep My Child Safe?
    • Back to School Tips
    • Experts
      • Dr. Kalman Heller
        • Dr. Heller’s CV
      • Pat Sonnenstuhl
        • Pat Sonnenstuhl CV
      • Dr. Robert Naseef
        • Dr. Naseef’s CV
        • Healing Broken Dreams
        • You Will Dream New Dreams
        • Birth of a Parent
        • Families Need Help and Dignity, not Punishment
        • Reflections on Fathers’ Day
      • Dr. Daniel Ravel
    • Parents Direct Babysitter Checklist
    • Helping Your Children Return to School
    • How to Use This Assistant
    • Are We There Yet?
    • Do You Spank Your Children?
    • Excellent Links
    • 12 Tips for Unorganized Kids
    • First Aid Guide
    • Guide to Your Child’s First Birthday
    • Learning Disabilities
    • Circumcision – Decision
    • Children
  • KidsDirect
    • Age Ranges
      • Age 1
      • Age 2 – 3
      • Age 2
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      • Age 4 – 7
      • Age 4
      • Age 5
      • Age 6
      • Age 7
      • Age 8 – 11
      • Age 8
      • Age 9
      • Age 10
      • Age 11
      • Age 12 – 14
      • Age 12
      • Age 15 – 18

Chickenpox

Chickenpox (Varicella) Vaccine

Unless vaccinated, nearly everyone will become infected by chickenpox, most often in early childhood or later on when complications are more likely. In the United States before a vaccine was available, chickenpox infected 3.7 million people a year, hospitalized more than 10,000, and killed 100, about 40 of whom were children.

Controversies surround the current recommendation to give chickenpox vaccine to all U.S. infants. A great concern is that the immunity from the vaccine may wear off years later, when the individual is much older and so has a far greater risk for complications from the disease.  Also, because chickenpox is considered a relatively mild childhood disease, some parents believe that vaccination is unnecessary. Complaints have been raised that this is a “designer vaccine,” meaning it was developed for parents’ convenience, so they wouldn’t have to miss work. Use of the vaccine is increasing, though: in 1997, 26 percent of 2 year olds were vaccinated against chickenpox, whereas just a year later, 43 percent were vaccinated. As of this writing, chickenpox vaccine requirements have been enacted in 14 states, with more on the way.

This information is excerpted from the book Vaccinating Your Child: Questions and Answers for the Concerned Parent (Peachtree Publishers, Ltd., 2000). The book’s authors are Dr. Sharon G. Humiston, a pediatrician and clinical researcher at the CDC and the University of Rochester, and Cynthia Good, an award-winning journalist and host of the television show “Good for Parents”.

 
 

Prenatal Tools

  • Pregnancy and Prenatal Tools
    • Ovulation Calculator
    • Basal Body Temperature
    • Conception Date Calculator
    • Baby Due Date Calculator
    • Pregnancy Weekly Calculator
    • Make a Birth Plan
    • Pregnancy Follower
    • Prenatal Appointment Timeline
    • Chinese Birth Chart
    • Pregnancy Weight Gain Chart
  • Boys Baby Names
  • Car Seat Buying Guide
  • Changing Diapers
  • Menstrual Cycle
  • Breast Milk vs. Formula Chart
  • Ultimate Breastfeeding Guide

Postnatal Tools

  • Breastfeeding Guide
    • Why Breastfeed?
    • Breastfeeding Myths
    • Breastfeeding Techniques
    • Breast Milk vs. Formula Chart
    • Breast Milk Leakage
    • Suggestions for Successful Breastfeeding
  • Boys Baby Names
  • Girls’ Names with Meanings
  • Girl Baby Names
  • Childproofing
  • Age 1
  • Car Seat Buying Guide
  • Circumcision – Decision
  • Day Care Info
  • Diaper Rash Decoder
  • Attachment Parenting Reduces S.I.D.S.
  • Infants and Babies
    • Newborn Babies and Pets
    • Marilyn’s Q & A for Infants
    • Month 11 (First Month after Birth)
    • Month 12 (Second Month after Birth)
    • How Do Vaccines Work?
    • Holding Your Baby Safely
    • Sleeping Habits
    • S.I.D.S.
    • S.I.D.S. and Sleeping with Your Baby
  • Kid Height Predictor
  • Vaccines
  • Safe Eating Tips

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