Why It Is Used

Varicella vaccine prevents chickenpox. The vaccine is recommended for all healthy children, teens, and adults who have not had chickenpox.^{footnote 1, footnote 2}

• Babies can receive the vaccine along with some other standard shots (immunizations) that are given at 12 to 15 months of age. If your province recommends two doses, the second dose should be given at 18 months or before entering school at the latest.
• Children ages 12 months through 12 years can receive the vaccine at any time.
• Healthy adolescents and young adults aged 13 and older should receive two doses of the vaccine 4 to 8 weeks apart.
• Adults who have not had chickenpox should also receive two doses of vaccine. The vaccine is especially recommended for the following adults:
  • People who work in settings where they are likely to come in contact with people with chickenpox (for example, health care workers, child care workers, students in group living situations). Sometimes employers require proof of immunity to or vaccination for chickenpox.
  • Non-pregnant women who can have children. Women who have not had chickenpox or the vaccine are at risk for complications of chickenpox during pregnancy.
  • Family members of people with impaired immune systems. This protects them from having chickenpox and thus protects their family member who has an impaired immune system.
  • People who travel outside Canada and the United States. In some countries (especially tropical countries), chickenpox is a disease of adults.

Older children, teens, and adults can receive the vaccine at any time, but some provinces may test you to see if you're already immune before you get the vaccine. Some provinces now require proof that children entering daycare and school have either had chickenpox or have been vaccinated to prevent the virus.

People who have been exposed to someone with chickenpox may be able to get the vaccine to prevent or decrease the severity of chickenpox. In these cases, the vaccine should be given within 3 to 5 days after exposure.^{footnote 3}

You can keep track of when your child received vaccines using the National Childhood Immunization Record .

Chickenpox vaccine is not recommended for:

• Women who are pregnant. Women need to wait 1 month after receiving the chickenpox vaccine before they become pregnant.
• Some people with impaired immune systems.
• People who are taking high doses of corticosteroids by mouth. People who are taking low doses or taking the medications by inhalation (such as people with asthma) may be able to take the chickenpox vaccine.
• People with serious long-term illnesses, such as children with leukemia.
• People who are allergic to the antibiotic neomycin. The chickenpox vaccine contains a small amount of neomycin.
• People who have recently received immunoglobulin (IG), blood, or plasma. Wait 3 to 11 months after receiving IG, blood, or plasma before you get the chickenpox vaccine.

People who can't get the vaccine (such as pregnant women and very young children) who have been exposed to someone with chickenpox may get immunoglobulin (IG) to prevent or decrease the severity of chickenpox. Immunoglobulin works best if given within 4 days after exposure.^{footnote 3} Talk to your doctor if you or your child has been exposed to someone with chickenpox and is at risk of severe complications.