Chickenpox Vaccine: Schedule, Side Effects, and Who Needs It
Updated: 6 days ago
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026 · How we review
Quick Answer: What is the chickenpox vaccine?
The chickenpox vaccine is a two-dose shot that protects children and adults against chickenpox, a highly contagious illness that causes an itchy rash. Children get dose one at 12 to 15 months and dose two at 4 to 6 years; teens and adults without immunity get two doses at least 28 days apart. Side effects are usually mild. [1]
What the research says
Two doses protect better than one. A global meta-analysis of studies in healthy children found one dose was 81% effective against any chickenpox and 98% effective against moderate or severe chickenpox. Two doses raised protection against any chickenpox to 92%. (Marin et al., Pediatrics, 2016)
Vaccinated children get shingles far less often. In a study of 6,372,067 children followed from 2003 to 2014, shingles occurred at 38 cases per 100,000 person-years in vaccinated children versus 170 in unvaccinated children, a 78% lower rate. (Weinmann et al., Pediatrics, 2019)
The combined MMRV shot carries a small extra seizure risk in toddlers. Comparing 83,107 children who got MMRV with 376,354 who got separate MMR and chickenpox shots at 12 to 23 months, MMRV caused about 1 extra febrile seizure for every 2,300 doses. (Klein et al., Pediatrics, 2010)
Key takeaways
Two doses give most people lifelong protection against chickenpox.
Kids: dose 1 at 12 to 15 months, dose 2 at 4 to 6 years.
Teens and adults who are not immune: two doses at least 28 days apart.
Most side effects are mild, like a sore arm or fever.
People who are pregnant, have a weakened immune system, or take certain medicines should talk to a provider first.
What is the chickenpox vaccine?
The chickenpox vaccine is a two-dose series of shots that prevents most people from catching chickenpox and protects against severe illness in those who still get it.
Its other name is the varicella vaccine. That is because chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
Getting vaccinated also protects the people around you. This includes people who cannot get the vaccine and who could get very sick if they caught chickenpox.
What types of chickenpox vaccine are there?
Two chickenpox vaccines are approved for use in the United States. Both give children the same level of protection against chickenpox.
Varivax® | ProQuad® (MMRV) | |
Protects against | Chickenpox only | Chickenpox, measles, mumps and rubella |
Approved ages | 12 months and older, including adults | 12 months through 12 years |
Key difference | Given alone, or alongside a separate MMR shot | Slightly higher risk of fever or febrile seizure when used as the first dose in children under 48 months |
Because of that small seizure risk, U.S. health authorities advise:
First dose, under 48 months: two separate shots (chickenpox vaccine plus MMR vaccine) at the same visit.
First dose, 48 months to 12 years: either two separate shots or one MMRV shot.
Second dose, 15 months to 12 years: either two separate shots or one MMRV shot.
In practice, many children get separate shots the first time and a single combined shot for dose two.
When should you get the chickenpox vaccine?
The chickenpox vaccine schedule depends on age: children get two doses years apart, while teens and adults get two doses about a month apart.
Age group | Dose 1 | Dose 2 | Minimum gap |
Children under 13 | 12 to 15 months | 4 to 6 years | 3 months |
Teens and adults (13+) | Any time | At least 28 days later | 28 days |
A child can get dose two sooner than age 4, as long as it is at least three months after dose one. Your child's doctor can advise on timing.
On the routine schedule, most children are fully vaccinated by around age 6.
Who should get the chickenpox vaccine?
Anyone who has not had chickenpox and has not had two doses of the vaccine should get vaccinated. Two doses means you are fully vaccinated.
Some adults are not protected because they never caught chickenpox as children and were never vaccinated. Chickenpox can make adults very sick, and it is still possible to catch it.
If you are not sure, a provider may order a blood test to check your immunity. Protection matters most if you:
Work in healthcare
Teach or provide childcare
Live or work in a nursing home, care facility or correctional facility
Live with or care for someone with a weakened immune system
Could become pregnant
Live with children
Are a college student or in the military
Travel internationally
Who does not need the vaccine?
People with evidence of immunity are already protected. Evidence can include:
A provider confirming you have had chickenpox or shingles
Records showing past vaccination
A blood test showing immunity
A birth date before 1980 (this only counts in certain situations; ask your provider)
Who should not get the chickenpox vaccine?
Some people should skip or delay the chickenpox vaccine because of a health condition, a medicine or another circumstance. Talk to a provider first if you or your child:
Has a condition or takes a medicine that affects the immune system
Has a parent or sibling with an immune disorder
Has tuberculosis
Is pregnant or could be pregnant
Takes salicylates (like aspirin), steroids (like prednisone) or acyclovir
Has cancer
Recently received blood products, such as immune globulin
Got another live virus vaccine in the past 28 days
Had an allergic reaction to a chickenpox vaccine or any of its ingredients
Has any severe allergies
Your provider will tell you whether to wait or skip it.
How is the chickenpox vaccine given?
The chickenpox vaccine is given as a shot just under the skin, into the deepest skin layer. This is called a subcutaneous shot, which is different from a shot into the muscle.
The provider cleans your skin with an alcohol swab, then gives the injection. They will tell you when to come back for dose two.
How effective is the chickenpox vaccine?
The chickenpox vaccine is very effective: two doses give lifelong protection for most people.
The vaccine:
Prevents most people from getting chickenpox
Makes chickenpox milder in people who still get it
Lowers the risk of shingles later in life, compared with people who had natural chickenpox
What impact has the vaccine had?
The chickenpox vaccine became available in the U.S. in 1995. Here is how the picture changed:
Measure | Before the vaccine (early 1990s, per year) | Effect of vaccination (1995 to 2019) |
Cases | About 4 million, mostly children | 91 million cases prevented |
Hospital stays | Up to 13,500 | 238,000 prevented; down 94% in people 50 and younger |
Deaths | Up to 150 | Nearly 2,000 prevented; down 97% in people 50 and younger |
Can you get chickenpox after being vaccinated?
Yes, a small number of vaccinated people still get chickenpox. This is called breakthrough varicella.
After two doses, a breakthrough case is usually mild. After only one dose, breakthrough is more likely, and symptoms can look like those of unvaccinated people. That is why the second dose matters.
What are the side effects of the chickenpox vaccine?
Side effects of the chickenpox vaccine are usually mild, and serious reactions are rare.
Type | Examples |
Common and mild | Sore arm, fever, mild rash at the injection site, short-lived joint pain or stiffness |
Rare but serious | Severe rash, lung or liver infection, meningitis, febrile seizures, severe infection |
Emergency (allergic reaction) | Hives, swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, fast heartbeat, dizziness, weakness |
Call your local emergency number right away if you or your child shows signs of a severe allergic reaction after any vaccine.
Is the chickenpox vaccine a live vaccine?
Yes. Both chickenpox vaccines are live, attenuated vaccines, which means they use a weakened form of the virus.
Scientists start with the natural virus and weaken it in a lab. The weakened virus is usually not strong enough to make you sick, but it still teaches your immune system to fight chickenpox.
Because they are live, these vaccines may not suit everyone, especially people with weakened immune systems.
Is there a chickenpox vaccine for adults?
Yes. Varivax is approved for adults and protects against chickenpox only. If you also need protection from measles, mumps and rubella, you get a separate MMR shot. The combined MMRV shot is not approved for people 13 and older.
When should you call your healthcare provider?
Call your provider if you:
Are not sure whether you or your child needs the vaccine
Are not sure whether you or your child is fully vaccinated
Have questions about safety or the schedule
Want to understand the benefits and risks for your situation
Conclusion
The chickenpox vaccine is one of the most routine shots of childhood, and two doses protect most people for life. It has been studied for decades and has a low risk of serious reactions.
It also matters for adults. If you never had chickenpox and were never vaccinated, you can still get seriously ill if you catch it later in life.
Not sure if you are protected? Check your vaccine records, and bring this guide to your next appointment so you can ask your doctor whether you or your child needs a dose. For more plain-language guides you can trust, explore our chickenpox guide, our MMR vaccine guide, and our guide to measles.
FAQ
At what age do kids get the chickenpox vaccine?
Kids get the first dose at 12 to 15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years. The second dose can come earlier, as long as it is at least three months after the first.
How many doses of the chickenpox vaccine do adults need?
Adults and teens 13 and older who are not immune need two doses, given at least 28 days apart.
Does the chickenpox vaccine last for life?
For most people, yes. Two doses provide lifelong protection against chickenpox.
Can the chickenpox vaccine cause chickenpox?
The vaccine uses a weakened virus that is usually not strong enough to cause illness. A mild rash at the injection site can happen as a side effect.
Can I get the chickenpox vaccine while pregnant?
Talk to your provider first. Being pregnant, or possibly pregnant, is one of the reasons to delay or avoid this vaccine.
Does the chickenpox vaccine prevent shingles?
It lowers the risk. People who were vaccinated have a lower chance of shingles later in life than people who had natural chickenpox.
What are the common side effects of the chickenpox vaccine?
Most side effects are mild, such as a sore arm, redness or a fever. A few people get a mild rash. Serious reactions are rare.
Who should not get the chickenpox vaccine?
People who are pregnant, who have a weakened immune system, or who had a severe allergic reaction to a past dose or a vaccine ingredient should not get it. Talk with your provider if you have a health condition or take medicines that affect the immune system.
What is the MMRV vaccine?
MMRV combines the measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox vaccines in one shot. For a child's first dose before age 4, separate MMR and chickenpox shots may be advised because MMRV carries a slightly higher risk of fever-related seizures.
Can I get the chickenpox vaccine after being exposed to chickenpox?
Yes, if you are not immune. Getting the vaccine within 3 to 5 days of exposure may prevent the illness or make it milder. Call your provider right away.
Related Reading
Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix): Who Needs It, Doses and Side Effects explains who should get the shingles vaccine and how well it works.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Chickenpox Vaccine (Varicella Vaccine) Side Effects & Other Facts. Cleveland Clinic. Last updated January 12, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22136-chickenpox-vaccine
Marin M, Marti M, Kambhampati A, et al. Global varicella vaccine effectiveness: a meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2016;137(3):e20153741. PMID 26908671. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-3741
Weinmann S, Naleway AL, Koppolu P, et al. Incidence of herpes zoster among children: 2003-2014. Pediatrics. 2019;144(1):e20182917. PMID 31182552. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-2917
Klein NP, Fireman B, Yih WK, et al. Measles-mumps-rubella-varicella combination vaccine and the risk of febrile seizures. Pediatrics. 2010;126(1):e1-8. PMID 20587679. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2010-0665
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always ask your doctor or another qualified health provider about vaccines for you or your child.
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