Chickenpox (Varicella)

Overview

  • Chickenpox (varicella) is a disease caused by a virus. Most people with chickenpox get very itchy blisters and sores all over their body.
  • Chickenpox is spread person-to-person through the air. It is very contagious.
  • Chickenpox can be a serious disease, especially in babies and adults. The disease can cause serious skin infections, pneumonia, brain damage, and even death. Chickenpox is especially dangerous for people whose immune systems are weak because of illness or medications.
  • Chickenpox is still infecting people in the U.S. and the rest of the world. It is extremely contagious and can be spread by an infected person before they even know they’re sick.
  • Vaccination is the most effective step you can take to be protected from this serious disease.

Chickenpox Vaccine Schedule

Chickenpox Vaccine Schedule

All children should get 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine starting at age 1. Some teens and adults may also need this vaccine if they didn’t get 2 doses of the vaccine or chickenpox disease when they were younger.

RESOURCES

Chickenpox (Varicella): Questions and Answers

Chickenpox disease and vaccine information from Immunize.org.

Partner Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Chickenpox (Varicella)

Find fact sheets, resources, multimedia, and more for parents and children from CDC.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Vaccines for Your Children: Vaccine (Shot) for Chickenpox

Two doses of the chickenpox shot are recommended for children by doctors as the best way to protect against chickenpox (varicella). Learn more about chickenpox and vaccines from CDC.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Immunization: Chickenpox (Varicella)

Find easy-to-understand vaccine information for yourself or your loved ones, from the Department of Health & Human Services.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Chickenpox: What You Should Know

A chickenpox (varicella) fact sheet and Q&A from the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. A Spanish-language version is also available.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
A Look at Each Vaccine: Chickenpox

Questions and answers about chickenpox and vaccines from the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

PERSONAL TESTIMONIES

Christopher Chinnes

I have faced the worst nightmare any parent can possibly face. There is no experience on earth that compares to the horror and devastation of losing a child.

Read more.
View All Testimonies
CHICKENPOX PHOTOS

Warning: Some of the images are graphic.

View All Chickenpox Photos