Page County Chickenpox Outbreak
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Updated: 9:54 AM Apr 28, 2009
Page County Chickenpox Outbreak
Page County
Health officials are used to seeing five or six cases of the chickenpox a year.
Posted: 6:23 PM Apr 27, 2009
Reporter: Garon Wade
Email Address: garon.wade@whsv.com
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Health officials are used to seeing five or six cases of the chickenpox a year. However, Page County has seen 20 cases since March.

The Page County Health Department is offering free vaccinations in hopes of stopping the virus from spreading.

Amanda McClung took her two kids, Brianna and Bryce, to get their second chickenpox vaccine Monday. She says, with a reported outbreak in Page County, this is a priority.

"I was concerned, and then when they were offering the other dose of the chicken pox I thought it would be a good idea. We haven't had any problem with chicken pox so far so we're taking precautions," says McClung.

The health department recommends people get two shots. Still, some people are asking why one one shot isn't enough.

"It's especially important now that there's an outbreak in two schools in Page County, because the first inoculation only covers people 70 to 80 percent, and the second vaccination helps to increase the percentage of immunization against this disease," says Dr. Stephen Haering, the Lord Fairfax District Health Director.

McClung says she'll do what they say, if it's going to help protect her kids.

"I trust what they say, so if they say two, that's what I'm going to do," says McClung.

The vaccine is not only kids. Health officials say adults who haven't been vaccinated need to go also.

In some situations, officials say chickenpox can be deadly.

"Especially when people have compromised immune systems, let's say they have HIV, or cancer, or an organ transplant, or if newborns contract it, it can be very serious," adds Haering.

As the health department gets the outbreak under control, McClung says she's not worried as long as parents in Page County take the proper precautions.

The health department plans to keep administering the free vaccinations until the outbreak is resolved.

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