Chickenpox (Varicella) Vaccine

Chickenpox [chik–uh n-poks] is a highly-contagious viral disease that causes an itchy skin rash and blisters. About 33% of people who get chickenpox as children develop shingles as adults.

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Table of Contents for Chickenpox

StatisticsImmunizationVaccine Side Effects

What is chickenpox?

Chickenpox (varicella) is a highly-contagious disease that causes an itchy skin rash and blisters. It is caused by the varicella zoster virus, a member of the herpes family. The disease only occurs in humans. Once infected, the virus remains inactive in the nerves, but it can re-activate later in life and cause shingles (herpes zoster).

How many people get chickenpox?

Chickenpox is becoming less common. Before widespread childhood vaccination, there were around 4 million cases of chickenpox per year in the U.S., resulting in around 11,000 hospitalizations and 100 to 150 deaths. Vaccination has reduced mortality rates by 90% since 1995.

What are the symptoms of chickenpox?

Chickenpox symptoms usually start 10-21 days after exposure to the virus. This is also considered the incubation period of chickenpox. The illness usually lasts for 5-7 days. It starts with fever, tiredness, poor appetite, or headache for 1-2 days, followed by waves of itchy rashes. Up to 500 red bumps grow all over the face, chest, or back. The bumps look like pimples or bug bites with a small fluid-filled blister. The blisters turn into scabs within 7 days. The rash may spread all over the body — including inside the mouth, eyelids, or genitals.

Is chickenpox serious?

In healthy children, chickenpox is usually a mild illness that lasts about a week, but there is no way of knowing who will have a serious illness. Infections tend to be more serious in babies under 12 months, teens, adults, pregnant women, and people with weak immune systems.

What are complications of chickenpox?

Bacterial infections of the skin
Pneumonia
Brain infection or inflammation (meningitis, cerebellar ataxia)
Bleeding problems
Bloodstream infection (sepsis)
Dehydration
Reye’s syndrome
Encephalitis (1.8 per 10,000 cases)
Scars
Seizure
Coma
Guillain-Barré syndrome
Hospitalization (2-3 per 1,000 children)
Death (1 in 40,000-60,000 cases)

How does chickenpox spread?

The transmission of chickenpox spreads from person-to-person in the air (coughing or sneezing) or direct contact on the skin. You can get chickenpox by touching the fluid of a chickenpox blister or a skin lesion from shingles.

How long is chickenpox contagious?

People with chickenpox are contagious for 1-2 days before the rash appears, and until all of the lesions are crusted over. This can take up to 2 weeks. Illnesses last longer in people with weak immune systems.

How is chickenpox treated?

At-home treatments for chickenpox include calamine lotion and oatmeal baths to help relieve itching. It is a good idea to keep the fingernails trimmed to prevent skin infections from scratching blisters.

DO NOT use aspirin to treat fever in children with chickenpox. This is associated with Reye’s syndrome, a disease of the liver and brain that can cause death.

Antiviral medications (Acyclovir) is a treatment for chickenpox that is

often recommended for people at risk of a serious infection, including:

People older than 12 years old
People with chronic skin or lung disease
People on steroid therapy
Pregnant women

Can I get chickenpox again?

Yes. Getting chickenpox twice is rare, but it can happen, especially in people with weak immune systems. Exposure to a wild-type chickenpox virus can also lead to re-infection. However, most people only get chickenpox once and have a lifetime immunity.

What is the chickenpox vaccine?

The chickenpox vaccine was developed in Japan in the 1970s and approved in the United States in March 1995. It is a single-dose injection of a live varicella-zoster virus. The virus causes a mild infection that triggers an immune response. The body fights the virus and creates antibodies against the virus to fight future infections.

How effective is the chickenpox vaccine?

Two doses of the chickenpox vaccine are 90% effective at preventing chickenpox. Some people who are vaccinated against chickenpox still get the disease, but it is usually mild with fewer blisters and low fever.

Who needs the chickenpox vaccine?

People who have not had chickenpox
Healthcare or daycare workers
Teachers
College students
Military
Inmates and prison staff
Women of childbearing age who are NOT pregnant
International travelers
Nursing home residents and staff

Who should NOT get vaccinated?

People with a moderate or serious illness: Wait until you recover before you get the vaccine
Pregnant women: Do not get vaccinated while pregnant. Do not get pregnant until 1 month after the vaccine
People who are allergic: Do not get vaccinated if you are allergic to a previous dose of the chickenpox vaccine, gelatin, or the antibiotic neomycin
Cancer: Do not get vaccinated if you have any malignant condition, including blood dyscrasia, leukemia, lymphoma of any type, or other malignant neoplasm affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system.
Others: Talk to your doctor if you are taking steroids, have cancer, HIV/AIDS, blood transfusion, or on medication that suppresses your immune system.

What is the immunization schedule for chickenpox?

Children under 13 years old need two doses of the chickenpox vaccine — the 1st dose at 12-15 months old and a 2nd dose at 4-6 years old. Do not give the MMRV vaccine for the child’s 1st dose. Instead, separate the MMR and chickenpox vaccines.

People 13 years and older who have never had chickenpox or received the vaccine should get two doses at least 28 days apart.

Is MMRV more dangerous?

Children who get the MMRV vaccine (ProQuad) between 12-23 months old have a higher risk of a seizure caused by fever (febrile seizure). Instead of MMRV, they should get a separate MMR and chickenpox vaccine. MMRV is not approved for anyone older than 12.

Do I need a booster shot?

The CDC started recommending a 2nd shot of the chickenpox vaccine in 2006 after studies showed the 1st dose was only 80-85% effective. No one knows how long a vaccinated person is protected against chickenpox. Immunity depends on the strain of the chickenpox virus.

What type of chickenpox vaccine can I get?

There are two types of chickenpox vaccines in the U.S., which go by the following name(s) — Varivax®, a vaccine only against chickenpox, and ProQuad®, a combination measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine. ProQuad is not currently on the market. Both vaccines are made by Merck and contain a live attenuated varicella-zoster virus from the Oka strain.

Can I get vaccinated after I am exposed?

Yes. If you are not immune to chickenpox and you were exposed to someone with the disease, talk to your doctor. You may be able to get the chickenpox vaccine within 3-5 days of being exposed — or a shot of Immune Globulin (IG) to boost your immunity.

Is the vaccine required for school or daycare?

As of July 2016, all 50 states and Washington D.C. have state laws requiring 1 or 2 chickenpox immunizations for children entering daycare, elementary school, middle school, and high school. Visit www.Immunize.org/laws for more information on state requirements or chickenpox vaccines.

Is the chickenpox shot safe?

About 20% of people who get the chicken vaccine develop minor pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site. Less than 5% develop a mild chickenpox-like skin rash up to a month after immunization. About 1 in 10 people develop fever. The risk of severe injury or death is very low.

What are the most common vaccine side effects?

Pain, redness, bruising, swelling at the injection site
Fever
Mild chickenpox-like rash
Cough
Nausea
Runny or stuffy nose
Headache
Feeing tired
Stomach pain
Diarrhea
Sleep problems
Joint or muscle pain

What are the most severe vaccine side effects?

Chickenpox
Shingles
High fever
Seizure (jerking or staring)
Pneumonia
Severe allergic reaction
Brain reactions
Low blood count
Vision loss or blindness (necrotizing retinitis)
Interactions with other medications
Pregnancy complications
Encephalitis
Guillain-Barré syndrome
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Erythema Multiforme
Death

To learn more about the side effects associated with the chickenpox and/or Varivax vaccine, please visit this page: Chickenpox Vaccine Side Effects

Can the chickenpox vaccine cause chickenpox?

Yes. The chickenpox vaccine contains a live virus. The virus is “attenuated,” meaning it is weaker, but can still potentially cause chickenpox infections in rare cases.

Where can I get more information?

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