The vaccine was in fact released in 1995. It is a safe vaccine and you should be vaccinated. Reason: the older you get, if you do get chickenpox, the more serious the symptoms. Consequently, while it’s a childhood disease that is easily handled by a young child, as an adult, you don’t get that lucky.The doctor is right and you should get the vaccine, especially since your risk is much higher in getting exposed in a hospital environment.Addenda: To the person who gave a thumbs down: this answer you will find in any textbook on clinical virology. Only an anti-vaccine zealot would tell someone not to get a vaccination at this age and their risk of exposure.To Lisa: The vaccine is quite safe, and given the persons age (22) AND the fact they are going to be in a hospital AND there is a risk of exposure AND the consequences of exposure at that age can result in serious complications AND their immune system (assuming this person is not immunocompromised in any way) is intact, then this better than doing nothing, given the possible risk they would be put under. Yes, most vaccines have risks, no argument here, but so does driving cars, yet people do it all the time.Also, the 1,971 adverse reactions doesn’t indicate: how many people in total were vaccinated and what were the adverse reactions? Heck, ‘injection site swelling’ is considered a adverse reaction, but not serious (just annoying).And, as for you getting a thumbs down: I have learned long ago that any person on yahoo answers who has autistic children ALWAYS thumbs down any answer regarding getting vaccinated (and is a reason that I generally do not answer questions either discussing vaccines or HIV). And, while I personally DO believe there is a problem with vaccination of young children, regardless of the statistics that are constantly published on the subject, this is one case that I believe that is not an issue. Heck, I’m old (58) and had to get a polio vaccine just to do research recently and I’m no worse for wear, given my age-weakened immune system. And, as an aside, if I didn’t get the polio vaccine, I wouldn’t be able to do the research. I’d be surprised if the hospital didn’t have the same rules (but I might be wrong here). Also, I have no problem getting a thumbs down for technical reasons, but not for reasons that really boil down to a particular persons beliefs....
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