VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Many vaccine information statements are 

available in Spanish and other languages. 

See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están 

disponibles en español y en muchos otros 

idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 

1. Why get vaccinated?

Varicella vaccine can prevent varicella.

Varicella, also called “chickenpox,” causes an itchy 

rash that usually lasts about a week. It can also cause 

fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, and headache. It can 

lead to skin infections, pneumonia, inflammation of 

the blood vessels, swelling of the brain and/or spinal 

cord covering, and infections of the bloodstream, 

bone, or joints. Some people who get chickenpox 

get a painful rash called “shingles” (also known as 

herpes zoster) years later.

Chickenpox is usually mild, but it can be serious 

in infants under 12 months of age, adolescents, 

adults, pregnant people, and people with a weakened 

immune system. Some people get so sick that they 

need to be hospitalized. It doesn’t happen often, but 

people can die from chickenpox.

Most people who are vaccinated with 2 doses of 

varicella vaccine will be protected for life.

2. Varicella vaccine

Children need 2 doses of varicella vaccine, usually:

 First dose: age 12 through 15 months

 Second dose: age 4 through 6 years

Older children, adolescents, and adults also need 

2 doses of varicella vaccine if they are not already 

immune to chickenpox.

Varicella vaccine may be given at the same time as 

other vaccines. Also, a child between 12 months 

and 12 years of age might receive varicella vaccine 

together with MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) 

vaccine in a single shot, known as MMRV. Your 

health care provider can give you more information.

3. Talk with your health 

care provider

Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting 

the vaccine:

 Has had an allergic reaction after a previous 

dose of varicella vaccine, or has any severe, lifethreatening allergies

 Is pregnant or thinks they might be pregnant—

pregnant people should not get varicella vaccine

 Has a weakened immune system, or has a parent, 

brother, or sister with a history of hereditary or 

congenital immune system problems

 Is taking salicylates (such as aspirin)

 Has recently had a blood transfusion or received 

other blood products

 Has tuberculosis

 Has gotten any other vaccines in the past 4 weeks

In some cases, your health care provider may decide 

to postpone varicella vaccination until a future visit.

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be 

vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill 

should usually wait until they recover before getting 

varicella vaccine.

Your health care provider can give you more 

information.

Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine:

What You Need to Know
OFFICE 

USE 

ONLY

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26

8/6/2021

Vaccine Information Statement

Varicella Vaccine

4. Risks of a vaccine reaction

 Sore arm from the injection, redness or rash where 

the shot is given, or fever can happen after varicella 

vaccination.

 More serious reactions happen very rarely. These 

can include pneumonia, infection of the brain and/

or spinal cord covering, or seizures that are often 

associated with fever.

 In people with serious immune system problems, 

this vaccine may cause an infection that may be 

life-threatening. People with serious immune 

system problems should not get varicella vaccine.

It is possible for a vaccinated person to develop a 

rash. If this happens, the varicella vaccine virus 

could be spread to an unprotected person. Anyone 

who gets a rash should stay away from infants and 

people with a weakened immune system until the 

rash goes away. Talk with your health care provider 

to learn more.

Some people who are vaccinated against chickenpox 

get shingles (herpes zoster) years later. This is much 

less common after vaccination than after chickenpox 

disease.

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, 

including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel 

dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance 

of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other 

serious injury, or death.

5. What if there is a serious 

problem?

An allergic reaction could occur after the 

vaccinated person leaves the clinic. If you see signs 

of a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the 

face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, 

dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person 

to the nearest hospital.

For other signs that concern you, call your health 

care provider.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine 

Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your 

health care provider will usually file this report, or 

you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at 

www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS 

is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff 

members do not give medical advice.

6. The National Vaccine Injury 

Compensation Program

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program 

(VICP) is a federal program that was created to 

compensate people who may have been injured by 

certain vaccines. Claims regarding alleged injury or 

death due to vaccination have a time limit for filing, 

which may be as short as two years. Visit the VICP 

website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation or 

call 1-800-338-2382 to learn about the program and 

about filing a claim.

7. How can I learn more?

 Ask your health care provider.

 Call your local or state health department.

 Visit the website of the Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA) for vaccine package 

inserts and additional information at 

www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines.

 Contact the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC):

-Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or

-Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines.