However, the virus is usually activated in only one region of the body with shingles, but widespread with chicken pox. So the risk for birth defects after shingles in early pregnancy is likely to be less than the 1-2 percent risk seen for chicken pox. I have never had chicken pox and just received the varicella vaccine. The vaccine maker recommends waiting three months before trying to conceive. This is based on the waiting period for other vaccines that use a live virus.
Some people develop a rash from the varicella vaccine.
If a rash is present, it is possible to infect another person. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a woman wait one month after receiving the varicella vaccine before becoming pregnant. There are reports of normal babies born to women who conceived one month or less after getting the vaccine. I am 6 weeks pregnant. I received the varicella vaccine last week.