SAN DIEGO -- Five children at a Mira Mesa parochial school caught chicken pox, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Department revealed Thursday.

Those sickened at Mira Mesa Christian School had only one vaccination dose for the disease instead of the two shots that are recommended, according to the HHSA.

"Getting vaccinated can prevent or lessen the effects of chicken pox and other diseases," said Wilma Wooten, the county public health officer.

The HHSA recommends the first vaccination dose at 12-15 months of age and the other at 4-6 years old. Older children who have had only one dose should get the second, according to the agency.

None of the children at the school at 9696 Candida St. who contracted the disease needed hospitalization. Staff and parents of children who may have been exposed were notified.

The incubation period for chicken pox is 10 days to three weeks. Symptoms usually last five to 10 days.

Chicken pox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella virus and includes symptoms such as a rash of blister-like skin lesions across the body, but mostly on the face, scalp and trunk.

Victims beyond puberty face additional risk of bacterial infection, dehydration and pneumonia.