Essential Pediatric Vaccination Questions: Timing and Immunity Explained

Vaccine issues

Hello Dr.
Pei: I would like to ask you a few questions...
(1) After receiving the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, how long should one wait before getting the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine? (2) My child has just turned one year old; can he receive the varicella vaccine now? (I am concerned because a family member has shingles and I fear my child might contract chickenpox.) However, the pediatrician I consulted said that we need to wait until he is 15 months old to administer the vaccine.
My older daughter received it when she just turned one three years ago; why is there a difference this year? (3) After receiving the varicella vaccine, how many days does it take for the vaccine to become effective? (4) If someone contracts the same cold virus (pathogen), do they develop antibodies against it and therefore not get reinfected? (For example, if my child catches a cold and transmits it to my older daughter, after my child recovers, will the cold be transmitted back to him from the older daughter?) Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions...

Xiao Fen, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2008/11/18

Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics

Dear Xiao Fen,
Hello!
(1) After receiving the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine, you can administer the Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine at any interval, even on the same day.

(2) Starting this year, due to a nationwide shortage of vaccines, the administration of the Varicella vaccine has been postponed from the original age of one year to now being administered at 15 months of age.

(3) After receiving the Varicella vaccine, antibodies against the Varicella virus will typically develop in the body within about two weeks.
Once exposed to the same strain of the virus, the body generally produces antibodies against it, preventing reinfection.
However, if the immune function is compromised or if a significant amount of time has passed, the antibodies in the body may decrease, leading to reduced protection against that virus.
Wishing you health and happiness!
Sincerely,
Pei Ren-Sheng
Director, Pediatric Department
Taoyuan Hospital, Department of Health

Reply Date: 2008/11/18

More Info

Hello! Thank you for your questions regarding pediatric vaccinations. I’ll address each of your inquiries in detail, providing clarity on the timing and immunity associated with vaccinations.

1. Timing Between Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine and Varicella Vaccine: The Japanese encephalitis vaccine and the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine can generally be administered simultaneously or at any time before or after each other. However, it is always best to consult with your pediatrician for specific recommendations based on your child's health history and vaccination schedule. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines indicate that there is no required waiting period between these vaccines.

2. Can a One-Year-Old Receive the Varicella Vaccine?: The varicella vaccine is typically recommended for children at 12 months of age. If your child has just turned one, they are eligible to receive the vaccine. The recommendation for waiting until 15 months may vary based on local health policies or specific pediatric practices. It's important to note that vaccination schedules can change based on new research and public health recommendations. If your older daughter received the vaccine at one year, it may have been based on previous guidelines. Always check with your healthcare provider to understand the current recommendations.

3. When Does the Varicella Vaccine Take Effect?: After receiving the varicella vaccine, it usually takes about 2 weeks for the body to develop immunity. This means that while some protection may begin to develop shortly after vaccination, full immunity is typically achieved around 14 days post-vaccination. It is important to continue practicing good hygiene and avoiding exposure to varicella until the vaccine has had time to take effect.

4. Immunity to Common Cold Viruses: The common cold is caused by various viruses, most commonly rhinoviruses. When a person is infected with a specific strain of a cold virus, their immune system does produce antibodies against that strain. However, there are many different strains of cold viruses, and immunity to one does not guarantee immunity to others. Therefore, it is possible for your child to catch a different strain of the cold virus after recovering from an initial infection. In your scenario, if your younger child recovers from a cold, they could potentially catch the same strain again if they are re-exposed, especially if the older sibling has it again.

In summary, vaccinations are crucial for protecting children from various diseases, and understanding the timing and effects of these vaccines can help parents make informed decisions. Always consult with your pediatrician for personalized advice and to ensure your child is up to date with their vaccinations. Thank you for your thoughtful questions, and I hope this information helps clarify your concerns!

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