I read in a recent post here that there are an estimated 100 deaths per year from the varicella vaccine. I found the CDC page where it says that before the vaccine was given there were approx. 100 deaths from the chicken pox every year, but I'd like to find an approx number of deaths from the vaccine. I don't know if that number even exsists, but if it does, I'd like to find it....

anyone?

FAST DATA used to have a breakdown of deaths from chickenpox, I think the year was 1996,

there were about 98 deaths, 23 of the deaths were in the age group 18 yrs and below.

I'd like to find an approx number of deaths from the vaccine. I don't know if that number even exsists, but if it does, I'd like to find it....


We'll never know that number.

I do remember reading once that 1 in 40,000 chicken pox cases cause death. 1 in 50,000 varicella vax recipients have a severe vax reaction - brain damage, encephalitis, death, etc. CDC states 10% or less of reaction are reported. There is my over simplified answer of what is more dangerous - the vax or the disease.

Sorry I don't have time to post links but if you want them I'll post them later.

thanks for the replies. I know we will never know the number...that would take admitting that the vax can cause death in actual numbers.
I am sure the vax is more dangerous, I was just looking for some hard numbers to show family.