chicken pox vaccination before pregnancy

hello...

I m 24 yrs old woman planning for  a baby..i recently discovered that m not vaccinated against chicken pox..how long will i have to prevent from getting pregnant after vaccination?can i get a shot during my periods??Your advise would be appreciated..thanks a lot..:)

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Women who are pregnant or attempting to become pregnant should not receive the varicella vaccine or the chicken pox vaccine.Although the effects of the varicella vaccine on a developing fetus are unknown but there is a theoretical risk of damage to the fetus if the vaccine is administered one month prior to, or during, pregnancy. In theory, the vaccine could cause birth defects similar to those that can occur from natural chickenpox.

The American academy of pediatrics recommends waiting one month for conception after receiving the vaccine and the vaccine makers recommend that there should be a gap of at least 3 months in the vaccine administration and pregnancy.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me psoted in case you have any additional doubts.