Chook Me!

How long does it take after getting varicella vaccine to become immune to chicken pox?

My child was vaccinated with MMR and varicella vaccines 9 days ago. He goes to day care and there has been a reported case of chicken pox in a child that is in the same room as him at the school. I found out about the case yesterday. Today he is quickly developing a rash on his back and abdomen which could be chicken pox. So the question is - is this a reaction to the vaccine, or did he develop chicken pox naturally? He has also had diarrhea for the last 5 days. Otherwise he is acting well.

Public Comments

1. it takes the body about 4-6 weeks to develp the long lasting protecting antibody (IgM). But meanwhile the body also develops the short lived protecting (IgG) within 2 weeks. ( 9 ) days after vaccination looks like really grey area ( I like to think he is kinda protected by now). Anyway, he needs to see a doctor to see what kind of rash he got.
2. chances are he was already exposed to the virus. vaccines are not fool proof. your child may have an immunity to chicken pox, but that will not mean he will not get them in the form of shingles later on in life. this is one vaccine, to me, that is useless. our bodies have a form of epstein barr to begin with. that is why the vaccine for chicken pox is null and void...(imo)