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Expert Q&A

	By Michael F. Wasserman General Pediatrician

I am the grandmother of a 1-year-old baby who just got immunized two days ago for meningitis and chicken pox. Is it possible to get the disease from a newly immunized baby? I babysit her.

The immunizations that you are describing sound as if the 12-month-old received Hemophilus Influenza B (HIB), a bacterium associated with meningitis infection in young childn and the varicella vaccine for chicken pox. The HIB vaccine is composed of no living material, so there is no contagion possible. The vaccine works wonderfully and has virtually eliminated a common disease in the immunized population.

The varicella vaccine is composed of live, but attenuated chicken pox virus. Recipients of the vaccine can shed some of the viral particles, and it is possible for those rare adults who have not had chicken pox to contract the disease. Remember that adults over age 60 are recommended to receive the shingles vaccine (zostavax), which is the same virus that causes chicken pox.

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