Nova Scotia Introduces Chickenpox Vaccine Program

Protecting babies from chickenpox is the aim of a new vaccine program announced today, Dec. 11, by Health Minister Jamie Muir. Beginning in January 2003, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine will be available for all babies when they reach their first birthday.

"Chickenpox can be a serious disease and should not be underestimated, so we're very pleased to be introducing this new program to help keep our children healthy," said Mr. Muir.

The vaccine will be offered to children at the same time as the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

"Over the next year we are also expanding the program so that we can provide free vaccine to special-risk groups who have not had chickenpox, such as pregnant women, contacts of people who have weakened immune systems and susceptible health-care workers," said Dr. Jeff Scott, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health. "We are exploring ways of expanding the program even further so that we can eventually provide free vaccine to older children and preteens who have not had chickenpox."

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes two diseases. Varicella, or chickenpox, is the more common, but the virus can come back later in life and cause herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles.

"The introduction of provincial funding for the chickenpox vaccine is good news for Nova Scotia's children. Chickenpox causes needless illness, discomfort and the potential for complications at the time of infection and also later in life," said Dr. Jonathan Kronick, chief of pediatrics and senior physician for the Children's Acute and Continuing Care Program at the IWK Health Centre. "We will realize the benefits of this program by seeing fewer children in emergency departments with complications from this common childhood disease, a disease we can easily prevent through vaccination."

About 95 per cent of Canadian children are infected with varicella by the age of 15. Once infected, the lifetime risk of reactivation is 15 to 20 per cent, with reactivation occurring more frequently among the elderly.

"We are pleased the chickenpox vaccine will now be available free of charge to all Nova Scotian children when they reach their first birthday," said Dr. Robert Miller, president of the Medical Society of Nova Scotia. "This program will help protect our youth and prevent the possible spread of this infectious disease."