The best way to protect your child from chickenpox is to get two doses of the chickenpox vaccine.
If your child has been in contact with someone who has chickenpox disease, getting a dose of vaccine (if they have not had the vaccine before) within 3-5 days of contact has been shown to reduce severity of the disease.
Although not as common, there have been breakthrough cases of chickenpox disease in children who have only had one dose of the vaccine. These cases are usually only very mild. For this reason, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has now implemented a mandatory second dose of vaccine, starting for children in junior kindergarten this year.
Your child is eligible for a free chickenpox vaccine if your child:
Has had one dose of chickenpox vaccine;
Has not yet had chickenpox disease; and,
Is born in the year 2000 or later.
Chickenpox vaccines are available through the health unit – call to make an appointment.