Chickenpox (varicella) vaccine

As recently as the early 1990s, chickenpox was widespread in the U.S. It affected more than 4 million people yearly, with up to 13,000 requiring hospitalization for severe infection. The chickenpox vaccine was introduced in 1995. Experts estimate it has since protected 238,000 people from hospitalization and 2,000 from death.

At Aurora Health Care, we offer the chickenpox vaccine and other routine vaccinations in multiple locations throughout Wisconsin. Our preventive care team is dedicated to keeping you and your family healthy and safe.

What is the chickenpox vaccine?

The chickenpox vaccine is a shot that helps protect children and adults from getting sick with chickenpox. Chickenpox is a contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It can make you feel itchy and uncomfortable, with a rash of fluid-filled blisters. Some people may also experience fever, appetite loss and headaches.

Most of the time, chickenpox is not serious and people get better at home. In some cases, however, it can be severe and even life-threatening. Infants, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of complications from chickenpox.

Is varicella the same as chickenpox?

Varicella-zoster is a virus that causes chickenpox. Once you have had chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus remains in your body but is inactive. If the virus becomes active again later in life, it can lead to a more severe infection called shingles. Doctors recommend getting the shingles vaccine after age 50 to lower your risk of getting shingles.

Chickenpox vaccine age

Doctors recommend the chickenpox vaccine as a routine part of children’s vaccinations. Babies and children should get two doses of the chickenpox vaccine at specific ages:

• The first dose should be given between 12 and 15 months.
• The second dose should be given between 4 and 6 years.

Children age 6 or older who didn’t receive the chickenpox vaccine should get two doses three months apart. People 13 years or older should also get two doses of the chickenpox vaccine, with an interval of one to two months between them.

Types of chickenpox vaccine

There are two types of chickenpox vaccines approved by the FDA:

• ProQuad® (MMRV) is a combination vaccine that protects against chickenpox as well as measles, mumps and rubella. It’s given to children 12 months to 12 years old.
• Varivax® is a vaccine that protects against varicella only. It’s safe for anyone 12 months and older.

Should adults get the chickenpox vaccine?

Yes, experts recommend that adults who have never had chickenpox or been vaccinated get both doses of the chickenpox vaccine. Getting vaccinated doesn't just protect you; it also protects those around you, especially those at high risk.

Chickenpox immunization is important for everyone, but it's especially critical for:

• Adults living with children
• Caregivers of people with weakened immune systems or elderly individuals
• Childcare workers and teachers
• Health care providers
• Military personnel
• Nursing home residents and workers
• People who need travel vaccinations
• Staff and inmates of correctional institutions
• Women of childbearing age who are not pregnant

If you have been exposed to chickenpox and have never been vaccinated, you can still get the vaccine within three to five days of exposure. The vaccine can help prevent serious illness or reduce the chances of getting sick.

Can immunocompromised people get the chickenpox vaccine?

The chickenpox vaccine is a live vaccine, meaning it contains a weakened form of the varicella-zoster virus. There is a small risk that live vaccines could cause infection in people with a weakened or compromised immune system.

However, depending on your health and overall risks, your health care provider may still recommend getting the chickenpox vaccine if you don't have immunity against the disease.

It's important to talk with your health care provider if you:

• Have cancer
• Have HIV
• Take low-dose steroids

Varicella vaccine side effects

Side effects after the chickenpox vaccine are rare but do happen. Any side effects are typically mild and go away within one to two days. You or your child may experience:

• Fatigue
• Fever or chills
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Soreness, swelling or redness at the injection site

Do I need two varicella vaccines if I had chickenpox?

If you have had chickenpox before, you usually don't need to get the varicella vaccine. Your health care provider may use a blood test to check for antibodies that can tell if you've had the virus. If you were born before 1980, your provider may assume you've had chickenpox and may not recommend the vaccine, depending on your overall health.

Can a child still get chickenpox if vaccinated?

Yes, it’s still possible for children who have received the chickenpox vaccine to get chickenpox. But their case is usually much milder, and they tend to recover quickly.

Can you get the varicella vaccine with other vaccinations?

Yes, it’s safe to get the varicella vaccine at the same time as other vaccinations. However, your health care provider may advise against getting more than two live vaccines at the same time. Children under 13 often receive the varicella vaccine together with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is also a live vaccine.