Hey Colorado! Did you know that we’re lagging behind in childhood vaccination coverage? That’s right! According to data from Children’s Hospital Colorado, we’re ranked 34th in the nation for children 35 months of age who’ve completed their recommended vaccines. It doesn’t get much better for our state’s kindergartners – for all vaccines, kindergarten immunization rates fall below 90% (except hep B at 91%). We need roughly 95% vaccination coverage for most diseases. And yes, 5% is a large difference when we’re talking immunization coverage. As one recent headline put it, “Colorado vaccination rates are ‘an accident waiting to happen.” Sadly, this puts our children and our communities at risk for dangerous diseases. 

Many of us may not recognize the diseases we vaccinate against as a threat. After all, vaccines have been so successful that we just don’t see these diseases regularly in our communities like the generations that came before us did. That makes it easy to downplay the importance of routine immunizations. The truth is diseases like measles, mumps, and chickenpox are still out there, and when we have gaps in vaccinations, we create the opportunity for disease transmission. Take measles for example. It’s among the most contagious and most dangerous of vaccine-preventable diseases. Nationally, we’ve seen an uptick in cases this year; as of July 11th there have been 167 cases in the U.S. That’s more cases than the previous four years combined. But measles isn’t the only disease that poses a threat to our children and our community. Let’s take a look at chickenpox (varicella). 

What is chickenpox, how does it spread, and how contagious is it?

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus and is characterized by the itchy, often blistering rash that accompanies infection. The rash begins in the upper areas of the body like the chest, back, or face. It can then spread to the rest of the body including inside the mouth, eyelids, and genital area (ouch!). Other symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and headache. The infection is spread by contact with an infected person through their coughs or sneezes, or through contact with fluid from a chickenpox blister. A person is contagious from 1 to 2 days before the rash appears and until all blisters have scabbed over. Most infections last from 4 to 7 days. Children generally miss between 5 and 6 days of school from chickenpox. If not immune, up to 90% of people who come into contact with an infected person will also become infected. 

It is important to note that the same virus that causes chickenpox also causes shingles. After a chickenpox infection, the virus remains dormant and can reactivate later in life resulting in shingles. People who have never had chickenpox or who do not have immunity to chickenpox through vaccination can get chickenpox from a person infected with shingles. This happens through contact with fluid from shingles blisters or through breathing particles from shingles blisters. You cannot, however, get shingles from a person with a shingles infection. Shingles causes a painful, itchy rash and can lead to serious complications like nerve pain and vision loss.

Chickenpox is best prevented through vaccination.

While some consider chickenpox a childhood disease or rite of passage, the truth is chickenpox infections can be serious. Complications from chickenpox include bacterial infections, pneumonia, brain infection or swelling, bleeding problems, bloodstream infections (sepsis), and dehydration. Serious cases of chickenpox can result in hospitalization and even death, though these are rare today. Even healthy adults and children can get seriously ill from chickenpox infection. There’s no way to tell who will develop a serious infection, which is why it’s a good idea to stop it from ever developing in the first place. Thankfully, we have a safe and effective chickenpox vaccine to help do just that. The chickenpox vaccine is given as a two-dose series. Children should get their first dose at 12-15 months and a second dose at 4-6 years. In Colorado, the second dose must be given prior to kindergarten entry. Everyone 13 years and older without chickenpox immunity should get 2 doses of the vaccine 4-8 weeks apart. 

Breakthrough infections in people vaccinated against chickenpox are rare. That said, some vaccinated people can still get chickenpox – no vaccine is 100% effective. However, breakthrough infections are generally mild and the infection period is often shorter. While those vaccinated against chickenpox have a much lower chance of developing shingles later in life, there is a small chance they could still get it. The shingles vaccine should be given to everyone starting at age 50.

Set Colorado kids up for a lifetime of health with routine vaccines for chickenpox and other diseases.

Need to get your child caught up with vaccines? Life and managing a family can be hectic, but you have to make time for health. Otherwise, you may be forced to take time off work or school for illness, or worse! You can find free or low-cost vaccine providers at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s website or take a look at our Vaccine Clinic Calendar to find an upcoming clinic. 

Have questions about chickenpox or other routine vaccines? That’s normal and healthy! Just make sure you take your questions to a reputable source like your family’s medical provider, your local pharmacist, or local public health agency. You can even head over to Immunize Colorado’s parent-facing website, ImmunizeForGood.com, where you can get reliable, scientifically-vetted vaccine information. 

All Colorado kids should have the opportunity to learn, live, and thrive. Lagging vaccination rates can take this opportunity away. Kids should be able to attend school and childcare without the risk of contracting a preventable disease. With the availability of vaccines for diseases like chickenpox, why take a chance and risk subjecting your child (or even someone else’s) to unnecessary, painful, and possibly serious illness? Let’s get our immunization rates up and keep our children protected. They deserve it! 

Immunize Colorado was formed in 1991 in response to alarmingly low vaccination rates across the state. At the time, only about 50% of Colorado’s children were adequately vaccinated. A group of physicians and other concerned individuals came together to strategize how to protect Coloradans from vaccine-preventable diseases and increase vaccine uptake. Much work remains. Discover ways to support our commitment to healthy Colorado communities at our website or make a donation today!