On March 5, Carmel Clay School officials confirmed cases of chickenpox at Clay Middle School and Woodbrook Elementary.
An email was sent to parents from director of student services, Steven A. Dillon.
“Students who have received varicella vaccine can still get chickenpox. When previously vaccinated students become ill with varicella it is called ‘breakthrough’ chickenpox,” he stated in the email.
He wrote that Indiana law requires that all students in kindergarten through 12th grade have two doses of varicella vaccine, unless the child has a history of chickenpox disease.
“If you are unsure of your child’s vaccination history, you can contact your physician’s office or your school nurse for immunization records,” he stated.
The Indiana State Department of Health has also launched MyVaxIndiana, a web application that allows parents to view their child’s immunization record on-line.
Chickenpox causes a rash, itching, fever, and tiredness. This disease can be mild or severe. People who develop severe cases of chickenpox may have pneumonia, encephalitis, or systemic bacterial infections. Chickenpox virus can be spread from person to person through the air, or contact with fluid from the chicken pox blisters.
