Everything You Need to Know About Chickenpox (Varicella) Vaccine

You’ve seen it in movies: A child is sent home feeling sick with small red, itchy spots on their skin. Suddenly, everyone’s got it. Though we often think about children getting chickenpox, the virus can cause illness at any age. That’s where vaccination comes in.

Since the chickenpox vaccine became available in 1995, it has prevented more than 3.5 million cases of the virus each year in the U.S. But if you had chickenpox as a kid, you may be wondering why the vaccine is necessary for your child. Or, perhaps you’ve never had chickenpox or received the vaccine and are unsure if it’s worth it now that you’re older.

You should know that chickenpox can sometimes cause serious complications, like pneumonia, swelling in the brain, and even death. And people who’ve had chickenpox can get shingles — a blistering and painful rash — later in life. Luckily, the chickenpox vaccine is an effective way to keep you or your child protected.

But at what age is your child eligible for the chickenpox vaccine? And what about adults? Below, we discuss the chickenpox vaccine age and types of vaccines available.

What is chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a very contagious condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It’s spread by tiny droplets of the virus in the air or by contact with a skin sore. It’s passed from people who have chickenpox to others who don’t have immunity to the virus. This includes those who’ve never caught it or who weren’t vaccinated against it.

Chickenpox is highly contagious, and it can be spread 2 days before the notorious red rash appears. First, you may feel feverish, tired, or have less of an appetite. The rash starts as red, raised bumps, then turns into itchy, fluid-filled blisters. These can happen on the face, chest, and back but can spread over the whole body.

It takes about a week for these blisters to scab over. Once all the sores have scabbed over and no new sores have developed for 24 hours, you’re no longer considered contagious.

This is why schools require students to get the chickenpox vaccine. Chickenpox is easy to catch, and it usually lasts 4 to 7 days. In fact, many states and the District of Columbia have laws that require either chickenpox vaccination or evidence of immunity against chickenpox for children entering child care or public school.

What age does a child normally get the chickenpox vaccine?

Chickenpox can be a serious infection for children, adolescents, and adults. Since even young children can get it, the chickenpox vaccine is recommended for children as young as 12 months old. It’s given as a series of two doses for everyone who is eligible to get it.

When administered to children under 13 years old, the first vaccine dose is given between 12 and 15 months of age. The second dose is given between 4 and 6 years of age. But it can be given sooner, as long as it’s at least 3 months after the first dose.

Can an adult get the chickenpox vaccine?

Yes. If you never had chickenpox or didn’t receive the vaccine during childhood, it isn’t too late. Consider talking to your healthcare provider about getting vaccinated.

In this case, a series of 2 doses is recommended for people ages 13 and older. The 2 doses are given at least 28 days apart. Vaccination is especially important for some groups of adults, including those who are around children frequently. That’s because it’s possible to catch chickenpox from a child if they haven’t been vaccinated.

You can even get vaccinated after being exposed to someone who is sick with chickenpox. Getting the vaccine within 3 to 5 days of exposure helps prevent serious disease and protects you in the future.

What chickenpox vaccines are available?

In the U.S., there are two vaccines available for chickenpox: Varivax and ProQuad. They’re live vaccines, meaning they work by using a weakened form of VZV to help your body recognize and fight off actual infections later. Both are given as a two-dose series.

Varivax

Varivax is a vaccine that works against chickenpox specifically. It can be used in children (starting at 12 months old), adolescents, and adults.

ProQuad

ProQuad (MMRV vaccine) is another chickenpox vaccine, but it works against a few different infections. These include chickenpox (varicella, “V”), along with measles, mumps, and rubella (“MMR”). It can only be given to children between 12 months and 12 years old.

Either vaccine can be given as part of your child’s routine childhood vaccinations. Some parents may prefer ProQuad, since it may be more convenient. But others may want to keep the shots separate. Talk to your child’s pediatrician about the pros and cons of each vaccine.

What are the side effects of the chickenpox vaccine?

Usually, chickenpox vaccine side effects are mild. These typically include fever, mild joint pain, and injection-site reactions like redness, swelling, and soreness. Some people don’t have any side effects at all.

Uncommonly, serious side effects may occur. Although rare, seizures caused by a fever (known as febrile seizures) have been reported. In children vaccinated with Varivax, the reported rate of febrile seizures is less than 0.1%. Children who receive their first ProQuad dose before they’re 2 years old may have a higher risk of febrile seizures than with Varivax. Even so, this isn’t common.

And, like all medications, the chickenpox vaccine can cause an allergic reaction. Seek medical attention right away for signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of throat and face, or difficulty breathing.

Can you get chickenpox after the vaccine?

It’s possible to get sick with chickenpox after being vaccinated. This is called a breakthrough infection. But this is rare.

One analysis estimated about 2 chickenpox cases per 1,000 people monitored for a year. After 10 years, the vaccine was found to be 98% effective at preventing illness in people receiving 2 doses.

Can you get shingles after getting the chickenpox vaccine?

Yes. It’s possible to develop shingles after getting the chickenpox vaccine. However, this is less common than developing shingles after getting sick with chickenpox.

Who should not get the chickenpox vaccine?

Some groups of people are at higher risk of complications from vaccination. In this case, they shouldn’t get the chickenpox vaccine.

You shouldn’t receive the chickenpox vaccine if you have any of the following:

• Severe allergies to other ingredients of the vaccine, such as neomycin or gelatin

• A weakened immune system (e.g., from certain conditions like HIV/AIDS, or from other medications like chemotherapy)

• An active chickenpox infection and also a high fever

• An active, untreated tuberculosis infection

Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant within 3 months should also wait to get the chickenpox vaccine until after giving birth. And if you’re moderately or severely ill when your shot is scheduled, you’ll want to reschedule for after you’ve recovered.

If you think you might be eligible to receive the chickenpox vaccine, it’s best to speak with your healthcare provider. They can determine if the vaccine is safe for you to get.

How much does the chickenpox vaccine cost?

Because it’s a part of the recommended childhood vaccines, the chickenpox vaccine is covered by most insurance plans. Without insurance, the cost of Varivax and ProQuad is around $150 and $240 with a free GoodRx discount, respectively.

If your child is eligible, you may be able to get the vaccine for free through the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC). And if you’re an adult who’s eligible for the chickenpox vaccine, you may be able to find free or low-cost vaccine options.

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Written by:

Emmeline C. Academia, PharmD, BCOP

Emmeline C. Academia, PharmD, BCOP, has been a practicing clinical pharmacist in adult oncology since 2020. She is a clinical pharmacy specialist in oncology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, in Boston.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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