Skip to main content


U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government
              Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowDot gov**Official websites use .gov**
                 A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
                  HTTPS**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                 A **lock** (A locked padlock) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
  Menu Close
          Enter the terms you wish to search for.
    Search
        








  
  
    

  
      

                                      About HHS
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Programs & Services
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Grants & Contracts
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Laws & Regulations                  
Immunization
  Vaccine Basics
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Vaccines by Disease
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Who and When
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Get Vaccinated
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Get Involved
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      About Us

              

    



Breadcrumb
    HHS
                              Immunization Information for You and Your Loved Ones
                              Vaccines by Disease
                              Chickenpox (Varicella)


    

    

    Navigate to:
  Immunization Highlights
    
                                                  
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Vaccine Basics
                                            
            
            Vaccine Ingredients
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Vaccine Safety
                          
            
            Vaccine Side Effects
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Vaccine Types
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Vaccines Work
                          
            
            Vaccines Protect You
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Vaccines Protect Your Community
    
                                                  
                                                                                        
                          
      
      
      
      Vaccines by Disease
                                            
            
            Chickenpox (Varicella)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Cholera
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      COVID-19
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Diphtheria
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Flu (Influenza)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Hepatitis A
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Hepatitis B
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Japanese Encephalitis (JE)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Measles
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Meningococcal
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Mpox (Formerly Monkeypox)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Mumps
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Pneumococcal
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Polio
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Rabies
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Rotavirus
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Rubella (German Measles)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Tetanus (Lockjaw)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Typhoid Fever
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Yellow Fever
    
                                                  
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Who and When
                                            
            
            Infants, Children, and Teens
                          
            
            Infants and Children Birth Through Age 6
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Preteens and Teens Ages 7 Through 18
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Adults
                          
            
            Adults Ages 19 Through 26
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Adults Ages 27 Through 64
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Adults Age 65 and Older
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Pregnant Women
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Travelers
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      People with Health Conditions
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Health Care Workers
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Gay or Bisexual Men
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Military Members
    
                                                  
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Get Vaccinated
                                            
            
            How to Pay
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      What to Expect - for Adults
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      What to Expect - for Parents
                          
            
            Five Important Reasons to Vaccinate Your Child
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Where to Go
    
                                                  
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Get Involved
                                            
            
            Explore Vaccination in Your Community
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Spread the Word!
                          
            
            Graphics
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Widgets and Web Badges
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Toolkits
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Get More Information
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      About UsLanguages
      English
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Español (Spanish)Text resize icon

                    




Chickenpox (Varicella)








  
  
    

  
      



Chickenpox used to be very common in the United States. But the good news is that the vaccine has greatly reduced the number of people who get it. Two doses of the chickenpox vaccine are over 90% effective at preventing it. Most people who get the vaccine don’t get chickenpox — and those who do usually get a much milder version of the disease.

There are 2 vaccines that protect against chickenpox:

The **chickenpox vaccine** protects children and adults from chickenpox
	The **MMRV vaccine** protects children from measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpoxFrequently Asked Questions
                        Why is the chickenpox vaccine important?
    Chickenpox is very contagious — it spreads easily from person to person. And while it’s usually mild, it can cause serious complications like pneumonia (lung infection). Certain people — like infants, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women — are at increased risk for complications.

The chickenpox virus can also cause shingles later in life. Shingles is a disease that causes a painful skin rash and can affect the nervous system. Children who get the chickenpox vaccine may have a lower risk of developing shingles later on — and those who do get shingles often have a milder case than someone who has had chickenpox.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent chickenpox. And when enough people get vaccinated against chickenpox, the entire community is less likely to get it. So when you and your family get vaccinated, you help keep yourselves *and* your community healthy.

Learn more about how vaccines help protect your whole community.
      What is chickenpox?
    Chickenpox is caused by a virus. Symptoms of chickenpox include:

A red, itchy skin rash with blisters
	Fever
	Feeling tired
	Not feeling hungry
	HeadacheChickenpox usually spreads when a person touches chickenpox or shingles blisters — or if they breathe in the virus. You can breathe in the virus after someone with chickenpox or shingles scratches their blisters, which releases the virus into the air.

It’s also possible to get chickenpox from breathing in tiny droplets from people who have it that get into the air after they breathe or talk. Learn more about chickenpox.
      Who needs to get the chickenpox vaccine?
    All children, adolescents, and adults who aren’t immune to (protected from) chickenpox need 2 doses of the chickenpox vaccine. People who have only had 1 dose of chickenpox vaccine need to get a second dose.

Children

Children age 12 months and older **** need to get the chickenpox vaccine as part of their routine vaccine schedule.

See the routine vaccination schedule for infants and children.

Children need 2 doses of the vaccine at the following ages:

**12 through 15 months** for the first dose
	**4 through 6 years** for the second dose (or sooner as long as it’s 3 months after the first dose)Children ages 1 through 12 years can get the MMRV vaccine, which is a combination vaccine that protects against chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella. Your child’s doctor can recommend the vaccine that’s right for your child.

If your child missed the chickenpox vaccines, talk with your child’s doctor about scheduling a catch-up shot.

Adults

If you aren’t immune to chickenpox (if you haven’t had chickenpox in the past or you haven’t been vaccinated against it), you **** need to get 2 doses of the vaccine about 1 month apart.

Talk with your doctor about how to protect your family from chickenpox.
      Who should not get the chickenpox vaccine?
    Some people should not get the chickenpox vaccine or may need to wait — for example, if you:

Have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose of the chickenpox vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine (including gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin)
	Have recently had a blood transfusion or were given other blood products (like plasma)
	Have an illness that’s more serious than a coldBe sure to tell your doctor before getting the chickenpox vaccine if you:

Have HIV/AIDS or another immune system disorder
	Are taking medicines that can affect the immune system
	Are getting treatment for cancer.
      What are the side effects of the chickenpox vaccine?
    Side effects are usually mild and go away in a few days. They may include:

Pain, swelling, and redness where the shot was given
	Mild rash
	Low feverSerious side effects from the chickenpox vaccine are very rare.

Like any medicine, there's a very small chance that the chickenpox vaccine could cause a serious reaction. Keep in mind that getting the chickenpox vaccine is much safer than getting chickenpox. Learn more about vaccine side effects.
      Where can I get more information about the chickenpox vaccine?
    Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) have detailed information about recommended vaccines. Read the VISs for vaccines that protect against chickenpox:

Chickenpox vaccine
	MMRV vaccine — protects against chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella (for children)Find the VISs for the vaccines in other languages.

                    
  


Get Immunized

Getting immunized is easy. Vaccines and preventive antibodies are available at the doctor’s office or pharmacies — and are usually covered by insurance.

Find out how to get protected.







  Content created by Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP) Content last reviewed April 29, 2021Back to top
    Contact HHS
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Careers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      HHS FAQs
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Nondiscrimination NoticeHHS Archive
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Accessibility Statement
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Privacy Policy
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Viewers & PlayersBudget/Performance
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Inspector General
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Web Site Disclaimers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      EEO/No Fear ActFOIA
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      The White House
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      USA.gov
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
        Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases.

Sign Up
  HHS Headquarters
          200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
                  Washington, D.C. 20201
                  Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​