Even Vaccinated Children Can Catch, Transmit Illness

Parents reminded about chickenpox

Collin County: Even vaccinated children can catch, transmit illness
Collin County Health Care Services is reminding parents to keep children who are exposed to chickenpox away from others, even if they have been vaccinated.
“The chickenpox vaccine is similar to the flu vaccine. … Even if you receive it, you still may get a mild case of it,” said Leigh Hornsby, county spokeswoman. “And you can still transmit it, as well.”
About 200 cases of chickenpox have been reported to the county health department since January. Ms. Hornsby said there has been a significant jump in the number of chickenpox cases reported to the health department from March to May. She said the increase is normal for this time of year.
“Hopefully, by reminding folks about this, this can help halt the spread of chickenpox,” she said.
The county has provided the following tips for parents:

• Children who have been vaccinated will have shorter, less severe infections, but they’re still transmissible.
• Children should stay at home until all lesions are scabbed. If no scabs develop, children should stay home until no more lesions appear.
• Unvaccinated children and people with low immunity are more at risk for complications of the disease.

Chickenpox vaccines are available from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays at Collin County Health Care Services, 825 N. McDonald St. in McKinney. The cost of the vaccine for children ranges from $5 to $14 on a sliding scale basis. The cost of a vaccination for adults is $80. Unvaccinated children over the age of 13 should have two doses. One dose is normally given to children between the ages of 12 and 18 months.