How long does the chicken pox vaccine last for children? will a booster be needed in the future?

May need a booster: One dose of chickenpox vaccination will provide long term but probably not life long immunity. Immunity can be checked by a blood test. A booster maybe needed in the future. The effectiveness of the vaccination depends on the individual. Some people (1 in 5)will still get chickenpox despite the vaccination but they tend to get a much milder form of the disease.

Usually long term : 1 dose is usually sufficient. There are specific situations in which 2 might be recommended re longer protection for some uncommon medical conditions. The immunisation advisory centre nurse can give you chapter and verse on this. Ph 0800 IMMUNE or www.immune.org.nz

For childhood: It is unknown exactly how long the immunity from the chicken pox vaccine lasts in all people because as it has not been around for very long. Immunity from a true exposure to the virus also decreases with time which is why we recommend a vaccine booster for older people (to reduce the chance of Shingles which is a reactivation). The vaccine will protect your child for their childhood at least.

2 doses routine: Two doses at least a month apart are the established routine. One will provide long term protection for most kids with the 2nd dose picking up the 5% or so that don't have a good response to one. Currently we give at 1 and 4-5 in kids. The vaccine became available in 1995 in the US but was licensed before 1980 in Japan. We will have plenty of time to find out if other boosters are needed.