Chickenpox Exposure at County North Region Family Resource Center
December 5, 2013
A person who was ill with varicella visited the North Coastal Family Resource Center in Oceanside on December 2, 2013, and may have exposed others to the disease. The center is located at 1315 Union Plaza Court. Anyone who was present in the waiting area of the facility from 2:00pm to 3:30pm on that date may have been exposed to the disease.
Patients and employees who may have been exposed at the Oceanside facility have been advised to seek evaluation from their primary care providers to determine if they should receive post exposure varicella vaccine.
Vaccination Recommendations for San Diego Providers:
- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that after being exposed to varicella or herpes zoster, people who do not have evidence of immunity and are eligible for vaccination should receive varicella vaccine. Ideally, the vaccine should be given within 3–5 days post exposure. This may prevent varicella infection or make the condition less severe. If it has been more than 5 days post exposure, the vaccine should still be given to susceptible people to protect against future exposures. Vaccination can prevent the spread of the disease and associated complications.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends two doses of chickenpox vaccine for all people one year of age and older who have no evidence of immunity for the disease. 99% of people develop immunity after two doses.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis: Click here for assessment and treatment options for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for varicella exposure.
For additional information about varicella vaccine, please call the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Immunization Program, at 1 (866) 358-2966 and press 5 to speak with a public health nurse.