Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is It?Who Should Get It?MandatesWho Shouldn’t Get ItEffectivenessRisks and Side EffectsFAQs
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is It?
Who Should Get It?
Mandates
Who Shouldn’t Get It
Effectiveness
Risks and Side Effects
FAQs
A chickenpox vaccine became available in the United States in 1995, preventing millions of infections and many hospitalizations and deaths.This article discusses the chickenpox vaccine, its effectiveness, and potential risks and side effects.
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What Is the Chickenpox Vaccine?
The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine is an immunization that most people in the United States receive when they are young children.
There are several types of vaccines. The chickenpox vaccine is a live-attenuatedvaccine.
Live-attenuated vaccines contain a weakened version of the germ the vaccine is being used to prevent. The weakened version of the germ in the vaccine will produce animmune responsethat can result in lifelong immunity in just one or two doses.
However, this type of vaccine may not be appropriate for every person. For example, those who have had an organ transplant, are immunocompromised, or have certain chronic health issues may need to speak with a healthcare provider before considering this type of vaccine.
Prevention With the Chickenpox VaccineBefore the chickenpox vaccine was made available in 1995, the infection was common. In the early 1990s, about 4 million people were diagnosed, more than 10,000 were hospitalized, and 100–150 people died each year due to chickenpox. The vaccine is now widely available and has prevented 3.5 million people from becoming infected, 9,000 from being hospitalized, and 100 people from dying each year.
Prevention With the Chickenpox Vaccine
Before the chickenpox vaccine was made available in 1995, the infection was common. In the early 1990s, about 4 million people were diagnosed, more than 10,000 were hospitalized, and 100–150 people died each year due to chickenpox. The vaccine is now widely available and has prevented 3.5 million people from becoming infected, 9,000 from being hospitalized, and 100 people from dying each year.
There are two chickenpox vaccines approved for use in the United States:
Both chickenpox vaccines are administered in two doses.
When used to prevent chickenpox (before there is a concern of possible exposure), the timing of the doses depends on at what age you received the first dose. Babies who get the first dose of the vaccine when they are between 12 months old and 15 months old will get a second shot between the ages of 4 and 6 years old.
Who Should Get the Chickenpox Vaccine?
The chickenpox vaccine is a routine childhood vaccination recommended for all children. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all healthy people get the vaccine.The only exception would be for people who have evidence of immunity, which can include:
People born before the year 1980 are considered to have immunity, with the exception of those who are immunocompromised, pregnant, or work in a healthcare setting.
One version of the vaccine may be given if someone suspects they may have been exposed to chickenpox as postexposureprophylaxis(after exposure to the virus) to reduce the risk of infection. This is recommended for unvaccinated, healthy people 12 months or older who do not have evidence of immunity to prevent the disease. For maximum effectiveness, it must be administered within five days after exposure.
Chickenpox Vaccine Mandate
There is no federal law requiring the chickenpox vaccine. However, laws in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. require children attending public school or childcare to be immunized against chickenpox. The ACIP recommends that:
Who Should Not Get the Chickenpox Vaccine?
People should not get the chickenpox vaccine if they have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose of the chickenpox vaccine or any ingredient of the vaccine, includinggelatinor the antibioticneomycin.
Additionally, the ACIP recommends that certain groups of people wait to get the chickenpox vaccine or speak with their healthcare provider about getting it.
It’s recommended to wait to get the vaccine if you are:
Talk with your healthcare provider if you are/have:
Research has found that the vaccine is highly effective and prevention of chickenpox starts with the first dose.
After the first dose, the vaccine is about 80% effective at preventing any chickenpox infection and 95%–98% effective at preventing a moderate or severe infection.
With two doses, the effectiveness increases to prevent 92%–93% of any chickenpox infection.
Risk and Side Effects
Side effects of the vaccine may include:
Anyone who gets a rash after being vaccinated may be able to pass the virus to another person. In that case, they are advised to stay away from infants and people who have compromised immune systems.
It’s also possible that people may developshingles (herpes zoster), which causes a painful rash, years after getting the vaccine. However, shingles occurs less often after getting the chickenpox vaccine than after having a chickenpox infection.
Because the chickenpox vaccine contains a live, weakened virus, people who have compromised immune systems may develop a severe and potentially life-threatening infection after getting the vaccine. The vaccine is not recommended for people who have a compromised immune system.
Summary
The varicella vaccine is highly effective at preventing chickenpox. It’s administered in two doses and is required for children who will be entering public school in the United States. The vaccine is a routine childhood vaccination that is recommended for all healthy people who do not already have evidence of immunity to the varicella virus.
However, because the vaccine contains a live, weakened version of the varicella virus, it may not be safe for some people. Your healthcare provider can help determine if the vaccine is safe for you.
A Word From Verywell
Vaccines like the varicella vaccine are effective public health tools for preventing certain diseases in individuals and communities. Getting vaccinated, if you can, can help keep other people in your family, workplace, place of worship, or community who can’t be vaccinated stay healthy. If you didn’t receive the vaccine as a child, speak with your healthcare provider to discuss vaccination as an adult.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes. Though the risk of getting chickenpox is greatly reduced, it’s possible to get a breakthrough infection after being vaccinated. People who are vaccinated are more likely to only have mild symptoms, with few or no spots and potentially no fever.The routine chickenpox vaccine is administered in a two dose series. When you get the second dose depends on what age you received the first dose. If you get the vaccine between the ages of 12 months and 15 months old, you’ll need to get a booster shot between the ages of 4 and 6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Though the risk of getting chickenpox is greatly reduced, it’s possible to get a breakthrough infection after being vaccinated. People who are vaccinated are more likely to only have mild symptoms, with few or no spots and potentially no fever.
The routine chickenpox vaccine is administered in a two dose series. When you get the second dose depends on what age you received the first dose. If you get the vaccine between the ages of 12 months and 15 months old, you’ll need to get a booster shot between the ages of 4 and 6.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Chickenpox.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox vaccine: What everyone should know.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Vaccine types.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Varicella vaccine recommendations.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Traveler’s health: varicella (chickenpox).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Childcare and school chickenpox vaccine requirements.U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services.Chapter 9-vaccination requirement.UpToDate.Vaccination for the prevention of chickenpox (primary varicella infection).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox VIS.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox signs and symptoms.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Chickenpox.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox vaccine: What everyone should know.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Vaccine types.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Varicella vaccine recommendations.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Traveler’s health: varicella (chickenpox).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Childcare and school chickenpox vaccine requirements.U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services.Chapter 9-vaccination requirement.UpToDate.Vaccination for the prevention of chickenpox (primary varicella infection).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox VIS.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox signs and symptoms.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Chickenpox.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox vaccine: What everyone should know.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Vaccine types.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Varicella vaccine recommendations.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Traveler’s health: varicella (chickenpox).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Childcare and school chickenpox vaccine requirements.U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services.Chapter 9-vaccination requirement.UpToDate.Vaccination for the prevention of chickenpox (primary varicella infection).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox VIS.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox signs and symptoms.
MedlinePlus.Chickenpox.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox vaccine: What everyone should know.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Vaccine types.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Varicella vaccine recommendations.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Traveler’s health: varicella (chickenpox).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Childcare and school chickenpox vaccine requirements.
U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services.Chapter 9-vaccination requirement.
UpToDate.Vaccination for the prevention of chickenpox (primary varicella infection).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox VIS.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox signs and symptoms.
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