Does an Adult Need a Chicken Pox Vaccine if Unvaccinated and Never Had Chicken Pox?

As an infectious disease specialist, I can tell you that adults who haven't had chickenpox or the vaccine can benefit significantly from getting vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that unvaccinated adults receive two doses of the varicella vaccine, spaced 4-8 weeks apart, to achieve approximately 90% effectiveness in preventing chickenpox infection.

Why Get Vaccinated?

Chickenpox in adults can be more severe, resulting in a highly uncomfortable and potentially serious condition. Instead of mild pustules, adults might experience pustules on every body surface, leading to prolonged hospitalization. Adults are also at higher risk of developing shingles, which is a painful and debilitating condition caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus (Varicella-zoster virus) that lies dormant in the body. The CDC recommends the shingles vaccine to prevent this.

Preventive Measures beyond Vaccination

In addition to vaccination, adults who have never had chickenpox should avoid contact with infected individuals to minimize the risk of contracting the virus. Other preventive measures include:

Avoiding close contact with others during outbreaks Practicing good hygiene, including frequent hand washing Avoiding sharing personal items like towels or clothing

Checking Immunity through Titers

It's wise to have your immunity checked through a serology test (titer test) to determine if you have immunity to chickenpox. Many people who believe they never had chickenpox may actually have had a mild, subclinical case that didn't show any visible symptoms. Even mild cases lead to lifelong immunity. If the titer test shows negative or indeterminate results, getting vaccinated is recommended to protect against future infections.

Age Factor

Your age is a crucial factor in determining your need for vaccination. If you were born after the introduction of the vaccine, your exposure to the virus may have been limited, making you more likely to have never had the disease. Conversely, if you were born before the vaccine, most people were exposed to the virus and either had the disease or a subclinical case. However, rarely, a person may avoid the disease through sheer luck.

Conclusion

Adults who have never had chickenpox or the vaccine should seriously consider getting vaccinated. Not only can chickenpox in adults be more severe, but adults are also at a higher risk of developing shingles, a painful condition caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus. Getting vaccinated not only protects you but also those around you from more serious illness.