Chickenpox Immunization Clinics To Be Held For Children Aged 4 To 6

Children aged 4, 5 and 6 who have not had chickenpox will be able to receive the chickenpox vaccine in local public health offices in June.

Parents of these children can now make an appointment for their child to receive the vaccine by calling their local public health office.

Over 2200 students in grades 1 to 6 received the vaccine in February and March at school clinics. In April, the chickenpox vaccine was added to the schedule of recommended vaccines in PEI and made available to children at 12 months of age. Clinics will be held for children aged 1 to 3 at a later time.

Chickenpox often causes only an aggravating rash, but one in 20 children who get chickenpox will develop complications such as bacterial skin infections or chickenpox infection in the heart, liver, joints, lung or brain.