Precautions for Unvaccinated Child

There is a concern for spreading the viruses contained in some of the live virus vaccines: the oral polio vaccine; Varivax (the Chickenpox vaccine); FluMist and the MMR (measles/mumps/rubella).

The oral polio vaccine hasn’t been used in the US since Jan, 2000. As for the chickenpox vaccine, there is a risk of transmitting vaccine virus to non-vaccinated persons. In clinical trials, approximately 3.8% of children and 5.5% of adolescents and adults contracted the chickenpox from a vaccinated person. (MMWR July 12, 1996 / 45(RR11);1-25) FluMist, the intranasal influenza vaccine, is only recommended for persons age 5-49 years of age, but that is another to be concerned about as the influenza virus can shed for up to 21 days after it is administered. (FluMist™ package insert.) As for the MMR, there is a theoretical risk of spreading, but nothing has been confirmed.