Chickenpox.
History of the Chickenpox Vaccine. Chickenpox is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the Varicella zoster virus; sufferers develop a fleeting itchy rash that can spread throughout the body. …………This view, however, was altered after additional research by scientists demonstrated unexpected dangers associated with the virus..
Over time, the fruits of this research have transformed attitudes toward the disease and the utility of seeking pre-emptive measures against it……… Japan and several other countries began widespread chickenpox vaccination programs in 1974.
However, it took over 20 years for the chickenpox vaccine to be approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), finally earning the U.S. government’s seal of approval for widespread use in 1995. …………. Mothers and fathers typically cited the notion that chickenpox did not constitute a serious enough disease against which a person needed to be vaccinated..
Strong belief in that view eroded when scientists discovered the link between Varicella zoster , ……………………….. proved to be enough to convince the medical community that immunization should be preferred to the traditional alternative..
Another reason that the chickenpox vaccine was not immediately accepted and used by parents in the U.S. ……….. This idea changed over time as booster shots of the vaccine elongated immunity and countered the perceived limits on the strength of the vaccine itself..
Today, use of the chickenpox vaccine is common throughout the world. Paediatricians suggest an initial vaccination shot after a child turns one year old, with booster shots recommended after the child turns eight. The vaccine is estimated to be up to 90% effective and has reduced worldwide cases of chickenpox infection to 400,000 cases per year from over 4,000,000 cases before vaccination became widespread..
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