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Chickenpox Vaccine

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  • Chickenpox Vaccine
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Though rare, the chickenpox vaccine can cause serious side effects and complications, including allergic reactions, seizures, pneumonia, brain damage, and death.

Filing a Chickenpox Vaccine Injury Claim

The nationwide law firm of Bernstein Liebhard LLP is now evaluating legal claims on behalf of individuals who suffered serious injuries and complications following administration of the chickenpox vaccine. To arrange for a free, no-obligation review of your potential chicken pox vaccine lawsuit, please contact our office by calling (888) 994-5118.

What is Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a contagious childhood disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus that is characterized by an itchy, blister-like rash, tiredness, and fever. While chickenpox is generally mild, it can lead to severe skin infections, scars, pneumonia, brain damage, or even death. Complications are more likely in people who get chickenpox in adulthood.

Once a person has chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus becomes dormant in the nerve tissue near the spinal cord and brain. The virus may reactivate years later, resulting in a very painful disease called shingles.

Before the chickenpox vaccine became available, the varicella-zoster virus hospitalized about 11,000 Americans every year. Some 1,000 deaths were attributed to the disease annually.

Chickenpox Vaccines

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first live-virus chickenpox vaccine, Varivax, in 1995. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that children 12 months to 12 years of age receive two Varivax shots:

• First dose: 12 through 15 months of age
• Second dose: 4 through 6 years of age

Individuals who did not receive Varivax before the age of 13, and who have never had chickenpox, should receive two doses 28 days apart.

A second vaccine – ProQuad – was approved by the FDA in 2005. It prevents chickenpox, as well as measles mumps and rubella. ProQuad, or MMRV, is approved only for use in children 12 months through 12 years old.  The first dose of MMRV is administered at 12 through 15 months old and a second dose at 4 through 6 years old.

Chickenpox Vaccine Side Effects

Most people who get the chickenpox vaccine will not experience any problems. However, in rare instances, serious – and even life-threatening – complications do occur. These side effects may include:

• Allergic reaction at the injection site, which may be life-threatening
• Anaphylaxis
• Soreness, redness, or swelling (can be severe)
• Skin rash or bumps. The rash or bumps may last up to a month after vaccination and be contagious
• Fever
• Fever-related seizure
• Severe brain reactions
• Low blood count
• Pneumonia
• Disseminated varicella vaccine-strain viral disease
• Varicella vaccine-strain viral reactivation
• SIRVA – Shoulder Injury Resulting from Vaccine Administration
• Vasovagal syncope (fainting in response to certain triggers)
• Dermatomyositis or JDM
• Death

Compensation for Chickenpox Vaccine Injuries

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP) provides compensation to those who have been hurt by the chickenpox vaccine and other covered vaccines. To date, the program has paid more than $3.9 billion to people who have filed petitions for vaccine-related injuries.

Under the NVICP’s guidelines, a vaccine injury is presumed to be covered if:

• The injury meets the definition included in the program’s Vaccine Injury Table.
• The first symptom of the condition occurred within the time period specified by the table.

The table lists the following covered injuries for chickenpox vaccines:

• Disseminated varicella vaccine-strain viral disease
• Varicella vaccine-strain viral reactivation
• SIRVA
• Vasovagal syncope

If an injury does not appear in the Vaccine Injury Table or does not meet the Table requirements, claimants must present expert witness testimony, medical records, medical opinions, or other evidence proving that the vaccine caused the injury and/or condition.

Contact a Chickenpox Vaccine Injury Lawyer Today

Victims of chickenpox vaccine-related injuries may be entitled to compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Past and future medical bills

To discuss filing a chickenpox vaccine lawsuit with a member of Bernstein Liebhard LLP’s legal team, please call our office today at (888) 994-5118.