Chickenpox Vaccine

Overview

Chickenpox (also called varicella) is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It’s a very contagious virus that causes an itchy and blistery rash that lasts around 4–7 days. The vaccine that protects against chickenpox is the varicella vaccine. Most people who are vaccinated with 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine will be protected for life. Chickenpox is a mild disease for many children but not for all children, and there’s no way to know who will have a serious case. With vaccination, children get immunity from chickenpox without the risk of serious complications caused by the disease itself.

Available Vaccines

There are two chickenpox vaccines licensed in the United States:
  • Varivax® contains only the chickenpox vaccine. This vaccine is licensed for people who are 12 months and older and can be given for the two routine recommended childhood doses at 12–15 months and 4–6 years.
  • ProQuad® (MMRV) contains a combination of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) vaccines. This vaccine is licensed for use in children 12 months–12 years.
The chickenpox vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

Vaccine Recommendations

  • Children under age 13 need two doses of chickenpox vaccine, recommended at 12–15 months old (1st dose) and 4–6 months old (2nd dose).
  • People age 13 and older who haven’t had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine also need two doses. These two doses hould be given at least 28 days apart.
  • If someone has only had one dose of chickenpox vaccine in the past, they should get a second dose as soon as possible.
  • Talk to a healthcare provider if you’ve been exposed to chickenpox. You may need to be vaccinated.

Vaccine Schedules

Recommended vaccine schedules – for the public Recommended vaccine schedules – for healthcare providers

Safety/Side Effects

Vaccines, like all medications, can have side effects. Most are mild and will go away on their own:
  • Pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given
  • Mild fever
  • Chills
  • Feeling tired
  • Headache
  • Muscle or joint aches
  • Fainting or dizziness, which may have to do with needle fear
Severe allergic reactions are rare (about 1–2 cases/million vaccinations).

Side effects from the chickenpox vaccine:

  • Sore arm from the injection, redness or rash where the shot is given, or fever
  • More serious reactions happen very rarely: pneumonia, infection of the brain and/or spinal cord covering, or seizures that are often associated with fever
  • In people with serious immune system problems, this vaccine may cause an infection that may be life-threatening. (People with serious immune system problems should not get the chickenpox vaccine.)
It is possible for a vaccinated person to develop a rash. If this happens, the chickenpox vaccine virus could be spread to an unprotected person. Anyone who gets a rash should stay away from infants and people with a weakened immune system until the rash disappears. Some people who are vaccinated against chickenpox get shingles years later (not as common than if person caught the chickenpox virus)

Efficacy

Two doses of the chickenpox vaccine are about 90% effective in preventing disease.

For more on special circumstances:

For more on who should and shouldn’t be vaccinated and special circumstances, please see: Chickenpox Vaccination

Additional CDC Resources