Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsVaccinationContraindicationsDosageSide EffectsOther Prevention TipsFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Chickenpox GuideWhat Is Chickenpox?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Vaccination
Contraindications
Dosage
Side Effects
Other Prevention Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Chickenpox Guide
Verywell / Laura Porter
Since the varicella-zoster vaccine was first introduced in 1995, the risk of getting chickenpox has been dramatically reduced. Today, there are two different vaccines used toimmunizeagainst chickenpox:
Both arelive attenuated vaccines, meaning that they contain live weakened viruses that cannot cause disease.
Varicella-Zoster Virus: Overlap Between Chickenpox and Shingles
Uses
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), healthy people who have never had chickenpox or who have never been vaccinated should get the chickenpox vaccine according to the following recommendations:
It is not known how long the vaccine can protect against chickenpox, although most live vaccines are known to deliver long-lasting immunity. Some studies have reported detectable levels of VZV antibodies in immunized people after 10 to 20 years.
12 Recommended Vaccines for All Young Children
Despite the benefits of chickenpox vaccination, the vaccine is not suitable for everyone. The chickenpox vaccine is contraindicated for use in people who:
People currently experiencing moderate to severe illness should also postpone vaccination until they are fully recovered.
The side effects of the chickenpox vaccine are usually mild, and some people experience no side effects at all. The most commonly noted side effects include:
According to the CDC, 1`of 5 children experience side effects within three days of getting the first dose, compared with 1 of 4 children who received the second dose.
The Facts About Vaccine Side Effects
Since people infected with chickenpox are contagious for one to two days before theydevelop a rash, it’s possible to be exposed to someone who haschickenpoxbefore they even know they’re sick.
Even so, if someone in your family has chickenpox, there are things you can do to help prevent further spread of infection:
People with chickenpox need to stay home until all blisters are dry and have fully scabbed over (usually five to seven days after the onset of rash).
Vaccinated children with chickenpox may not develop blisters. However, these children should stay at home until the spots have faded and no new spots have developed within a 24 hour period.
A Word From Verywell
In the United States, the vaccination rate for chickenpox in school-age children is now over 90%, which has led to a high degree ofherd immunity.However, this shouldn’t suggest that varicella vaccinations—or any childhood vaccinations, for that matter—are any less important than they ever were.
By keeping yourself (and your child) up to date with the recommended vaccines, you can protect not only yourself and those close to you but your surrounding community as well.
Practice Talking to Someone Who’s Skeptical About Vaccines
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It is possible, in what’s called breakthrough varicella. However, chickenpox in those who have been vaccinated is less contagious and results in less severe symptoms. Those who contract it generally have a low fever or no fever at all and develop fewer than 50 lesions. Among people who received only one dose of the vaccine and have breakthrough infection, 25% to 30% will develop symptoms as if they had not been vaccinated,which is why two doses are recommended.
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent chickenpox. Because it is highly contagious, if you live with someone who has an active infection, you’re also very likely to get it.To prevent transmission outside your home, anyone infected should self-isolate until they are no longer contagious (until all lesions have crusted over). Then, wash and sanitize any linens or other items that have come into contact with chickenpox lesions.
13 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.Tellier R, Li Y, Cowling BJ, Tang JW.Recognition of aerosol transmission of infectious agents: a commentary.BMC Infect Dis. 2019;19(1):101. doi:10.1186/s12879-019-3707-yCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.How to treat chickenpox.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About the varicella vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What everyone should know about shingles vaccine (Shingrix).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox (varicella) vaccines: safety information.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About chickenpox.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.How can you avoid getting chickenpox?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cleaning and disinfecting with bleach.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Guidance for cruise ships on varicella (chickenpox) management.Minnesota Department of Health.Chickenpox (varicella).Shaw J, Gershon AA.Varicella virus vaccination in the United States.Viral Immunol. 2018;31(2):96-103. doi:10.1089/vim.2017.0136Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox vaccination: What everyone should know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical features of chickenpox (varicella).
13 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.Tellier R, Li Y, Cowling BJ, Tang JW.Recognition of aerosol transmission of infectious agents: a commentary.BMC Infect Dis. 2019;19(1):101. doi:10.1186/s12879-019-3707-yCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.How to treat chickenpox.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About the varicella vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What everyone should know about shingles vaccine (Shingrix).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox (varicella) vaccines: safety information.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About chickenpox.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.How can you avoid getting chickenpox?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cleaning and disinfecting with bleach.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Guidance for cruise ships on varicella (chickenpox) management.Minnesota Department of Health.Chickenpox (varicella).Shaw J, Gershon AA.Varicella virus vaccination in the United States.Viral Immunol. 2018;31(2):96-103. doi:10.1089/vim.2017.0136Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox vaccination: What everyone should know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical features of chickenpox (varicella).
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.
Tellier R, Li Y, Cowling BJ, Tang JW.Recognition of aerosol transmission of infectious agents: a commentary.BMC Infect Dis. 2019;19(1):101. doi:10.1186/s12879-019-3707-yCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.How to treat chickenpox.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About the varicella vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What everyone should know about shingles vaccine (Shingrix).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox (varicella) vaccines: safety information.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About chickenpox.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.How can you avoid getting chickenpox?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cleaning and disinfecting with bleach.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Guidance for cruise ships on varicella (chickenpox) management.Minnesota Department of Health.Chickenpox (varicella).Shaw J, Gershon AA.Varicella virus vaccination in the United States.Viral Immunol. 2018;31(2):96-103. doi:10.1089/vim.2017.0136Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox vaccination: What everyone should know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical features of chickenpox (varicella).
Tellier R, Li Y, Cowling BJ, Tang JW.Recognition of aerosol transmission of infectious agents: a commentary.BMC Infect Dis. 2019;19(1):101. doi:10.1186/s12879-019-3707-y
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to treat chickenpox.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About the varicella vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What everyone should know about shingles vaccine (Shingrix).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox (varicella) vaccines: safety information.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About chickenpox.
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.How can you avoid getting chickenpox?.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cleaning and disinfecting with bleach.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Guidance for cruise ships on varicella (chickenpox) management.
Minnesota Department of Health.Chickenpox (varicella).
Shaw J, Gershon AA.Varicella virus vaccination in the United States.Viral Immunol. 2018;31(2):96-103. doi:10.1089/vim.2017.0136
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox vaccination: What everyone should know.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical features of chickenpox (varicella).
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Chickenpox: Symptom Stages, Vaccine, How It’s SpreadSymptoms and Complications of ChickenpoxHow Chickenpox Is DiagnosedOverview of Treatments for ChickenpoxPreventing Chickenpox: From Handwashing to Vaccination
Chickenpox: Symptom Stages, Vaccine, How It’s Spread
Symptoms and Complications of Chickenpox
How Chickenpox Is Diagnosed
Overview of Treatments for Chickenpox
Preventing Chickenpox: From Handwashing to Vaccination
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