Hi, all, Theresa, wife of David, Vaccine Specialist for Merck (maker of
Varivax), here with more info on vaccines.  You are right, Rob.  No droplet
transmission has been documented from pts. (very FEW pts!) who develop
lesions from the vaccine.  Adults who are at risk for chicken pox can have
very serious complications from the wild disease, and as Rob stated earlier,
no vaccine is contraindicated for breastfeeding mothers.  Breastfeeding
mothers can cover lesions (if they appear after vaccination which occurs in
less than 2% of adults) to minimize contact and continue to breastfeed.
Also, the number of lesions that appear in these cases is usually minimal,
typically at the site of injection.  Worst case scenario, the baby is exposed
to the attenuated vaccine virus which is infinitely milder than the wild
virus.
Hope this helps!
Theresa Chmiel, CLC, ICCE
David Chmiel, Vaccine Specialist, Merck

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