The AAP and others are recommending the chicken pox vaccine for all babies at 12-15 months, given with the MMR. A booster dose may be needed; it would probably be given at the same time as the measles booster now being recommended. The cost benefit analysis for universal infant vaccination included a large amount of parental work time loss. While there is still a lot of chicken pox in the community, and most kids will still get exposed as preschoolers, parents may choose to not vaccinate because the natural infection provides lifelong immunity (in almost all cases), although people can get shingles later. Chicken pox is rarely serious or fatal in young children, although it can be. It is often quite serious in older children/teens and especially in adults. One recommendation I have seen which seems quite prudent is to immunize 11 year olds who have not had chicken pox. Another reasonable approach might be to immunize before the child starts school. Breastfeeding may provide minor passive immunity but does not prevent infection. Breastfed babies can receive the vaccine. I believe the vaccine would be safer than taking the risk of contracting chicken pox for a breastfeeding mother. It is similar to MMR; neither is contraindicated in breastfeeding. People can get a few chicken pox at the injection site which may be contagious. All adults who are considering the vaccine should have a titer done first since up to 70% of people who have not had chicken pox are in fact immune. Adults need two doses of the vaccine, as opposed to one dose for children up to age 12. -- Anne Montgomery, M.D. [log in to unmask] St.Peter Hospital Family Practice Residency Olympia, WA