TWO teenagers have contracted meningitis after having the chickenpox vaccine in a rare case, it has emerged.
The 14-year-old boys, who have not been named, had received the recommended two doses of the varicella vaccine as children.
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However, medics at Seattle Children’s Hospital in the US said that the live, weakened virus used in the jab has reactivated in the youngsters and triggered meningitis – years later.
The case, published in the journal Pediatrics, is extremely rare with doctors emphasising it is still an “incredibly safe and effective vaccine”.
According to the paper, only one of the boys had a compromised immune system due to a history of leukaemia.
Doctors said he experienced temporary symptoms of slurred speech and numbness, while the other boy was otherwise healthy.
Slurred speech
Both were treated with acyclovir – an antiviral drug that treats chickenpox, shingles and cold sores.
The boys’ doctors are now using these two cases to urge other medics to be aware that the chickenpox vaccine can reactivate.
They said: “Paediatricians should be aware of the potential of vOka varicella to reactivate and cause clinically significant central nervous system disease in vaccinated children and adolescents.”
The varicella vaccine against chickenpox is live and contains a small amount of weakened chickenpox-causing virus.
The vaccine stimulates your immune system to produce antibodies that will help protect against chickenpox.
Rare side effect
It was first developed in the 1970s and first distributed in the US in 1995 – and has been proven to be safe and effective.
Dr. Whitney Harrington, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Seattle Children’s Hospital, added: “Varicella vaccine is an incredibly safe and effective vaccine that has dramatically reduced the incidence of chickenpox in the US.
“Over 50 million doses have been distributed, and this rare side effect has only been described in a handful of cases.”
In healthy people, live-virus vaccines do not cause infections.
However, pregnant women, those with compromised immune system and those who’ve had organ transplants may be susceptible to infection in rare cases.
What is meningitis?
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
It can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.
Meningitis can be very serious if not treated quickly.
It can cause life-threatening blood poisoning (septicaemia) and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.
A number of vaccinations are available that offer some protection against meningitis.
Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:
- A high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
- Being sick
- A headache
- A rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but this will not always develop)
- A stiff neck
- A dislike of bright lights
- Drowsiness or unresponsiveness
- Fits (seizures)
These symptoms can appear in any order. You do not always get all the symptoms.
You should get medical advice as soon as possible if you’re concerned that you or your child could have meningitis.
And in very rare cases in immunocompromised patients, the live virus can reactivate and causes meningitis, shingles, pneumonia, or hepatitis.
Previous cases of the virus reactivating and causing meningitis years after vaccination – a phenomenon known as vOka varicella – have been reported in children who received just one dose of the vaccine.
The chickenpox vaccine is currently only offered on the NHS to people who are in close contact with someone who is particularly vulnerable to chickenpox or its complications.
It is not part of the routine UK childhood vaccination programme because chickenpox is usually a mild illness in children.
According to the NHS, it’s been shown that nine out of ten children vaccinated with a single dose will develop immunity against chickenpox.
Having two doses is recommended, as this gives an even better immune response.
The vaccination is not quite as effective after childhood.
It’s estimated that three-quarters of teenagers and adults who are vaccinated will become immune to chickenpox.
