Chickenpox vaccine is injected subcutaneously to reduce the risk in chickenpox in patients who don't have a history of chickenpox. It is routinely given in the US with the first dose at 12-15 months, and the second dose at 4-6 years, but may be given to older children and adults as well.
The same way they were used in the past, to prevent disease through artificially granting immunity. Actual administration varies; injections are most common, though certain vaccines (like those for flu) can be administered in other ways, like with nasal sprays.
Chickenpox vaccine was first used in California in 1995.
Chickenpox vaccine is not intramuscular. It is a subcutaneous vaccine.
There is no vaccine to cure chickenpox. Chickenpox vaccine is used to prevent chickenpox, and can be used up to five days after exposure to the illness. Some severely infected patients might get IVIG to help cure chickenpox, but this is not considered a vaccine.
Chickenpox vaccine is useful. It reduces the risk of chickenpox, of complications, hospitalizations, and deaths from chickenpox, and of shingles.
A person with a history of chickenpox or history of chickenpox vaccine will typically have a positive antibody test for chickenpox.
Chickenpox vaccine is not recommended for women who are pregnant.
Yes, you can give chickenpox vaccine in the same area as other vaccines.
Yes, a baby without vaccine can get chickenpox.
Current recommendations are for two doses of chickenpox vaccine, regardless of the history of chickenpox or shingles.
Chickenpox vaccine isn't needed if you've had chickenpox in the past. Shingles vaccine is recommended for patient 60 and over to prevent shingles.
Pasteur did not discover chickenpox vaccine. However, death rates due to chickenpox have decreased over 90% in the US since chickenpox vaccine was approved.
There have been few deaths occurring shortly after chickenpox vaccine and reported to the CDC's vaccine complication reporting service. The deaths found to be associated with chickenpox vaccine are typically in patients who were immunocompromised and should not have received the vaccine.