There s an effort underway in Wisconsin to require a chicken pox vaccine before a child can enter daycare and Kindergarten. As Steve Busalacchi reports, a medical expert says the requirement is necessary because chicken pox can be more harmful than you think. As Steve Busalacchi reports, a medical expert says the requirement is necessary because chicken pox can be more harmful than you think.
Chicken pox can be a lot more than an annoying rash.
Doctor Thomas Saari says in some cases, the rash will become seriously infected. And that can lead to dangerous complications, including effects on the brain. Doctor Saari, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Madison s UW-Medical School, says state health officials are considering rules to make a chicken pox vaccine mandatory. The main reason it s not required now, according to Doctor Saari, is that there s a common misperception that chicken pox is a mild disease. I think those of us who have seen all of the complications that can occur, certainly don t agree with that assessment.