Can I get a Varicella vaccine while I’m pregnant?

No! Varicella vaccine is contraindicated for pregnant women. Please contact a doctor if you have already been vaccinated while pregnant.

When is it safe to get pregnant after being vaccinated?

Because the varicella vaccine is potentially harmful to an unborn baby, it is recommended that pregnancy be postponed for at least one month after vaccine administration.

How can I reduce my chances of getting Varicella?

Avoid direct contact with locals; Avoid mass gatherings; Maintain proper hand hygiene.

What activities are high-risk?

Any activity that increases the chance of direct contact with an infected person also increases the risk of varicella acquisition. Here are some examples: Staying with locals (especially if they have children); Touching the blisters of an infected person; Working as a doctor overseas.

Varicella vaccine

This is a practical guide to Varicella vaccination.

The best part?

We’ll give you only factual information based on reliable sources and our nearly 20 years of experience in travel medicine.

If you like saving money and getting only absolutely necessary travel vaccinations, you’ll like this guide.

Let’s get started!

By Slava Fuzayloff | Published on November 23, 2023

Contents

At a glance

Required or recommended? The centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends it; no countries require it
How is varicella transmitted? Via contact with an infected person (see the details below)
Is varicella vaccine a part of routine childhood immunizations? Yes; two doses of the varicella vaccine are given to children as a part of routine childhood immunizations
Duration of varicella vaccine protection: 10-20 years
Is an adult booster necessary? Yes! a booster dose of varicella vaccine is necessary for those who have no proof of immunity to chickenpox

Varicella Vaccine Info

Childhood vaccine schedule

The table below shows the varicella (chickenpox) childhood immunization schedule. Please, check your records to see whether you have received all the shots at the recommended time intervals.

Varicella Vaccination Schedule

First dose at 12–15 months of age

Second dose at 4–6 years of age

Effectiveness of Varicella Vaccine

Single dose: 85%

Two doses: 98%

Duration of
Varicella Vaccine Protection

Single dose: 10 years

Two doses: Up to 20 years

Adult booster schedule

The table below shows the recommended vaccination schedule for adults who completed their varicella childhood immunization.

Varicella Booster Vaccination Schedule

Those who do not have proof of chickenpox immunity need two shots of of chickenpox vaccine four to eight weeks apart.
If a person has been previously vaccinated (or has a decreased level of immunity to varicella) and it has been more than eight weeks since his or her varicella (chickenpox) shot, only one booster dose will be needed.
These shots are especially needed for the following:

International travelers

Healthcare providers

Women of reproductive age (ages 15–49)

People with children in their family

School personnel

Military personnel

Effectiveness of Varicella Booster Vaccination

Up to 98%

Duration of
Varicella Booster Vaccine Protection

Up to 20 years

Where Is Varicella Most Common

Varicella or chickenpox [1] Varicella / Chickenpox https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/infections-diseases/varicella-chickenpox is primarily a pediatric infection that affects millions of people worldwide. It is highly contagious and is caused by a varicella-zoster virus. Each year, this disease causes about 4.2 million life-threatening complications and over 4,000 deaths. The disease has spread worldwide and it is difficult to determine if there are areas that are more affected than others. The outbreaks of the disease cause serious public health problems. However, routine administration of varicella vaccine decreases the number of cases by up to 90%. So, we can assume that countries that do not have varicella vaccination in their national immunization program are more commonly affected than others. The map below shows the countries that are practicing routine varicella vaccination.

About Varicella Infection

Varicella is a viral infection that mainly affects children. When adults and adolescents do get it, they have an up-to-50-times-higher chance of having a severe form of the disease and a 174-times-higher chance of death. This section summarizes the most important facts about varicella.

How is Varicella spread? Symptoms of varicella Incubation period of varicella Treatment for varicella

Varicella Vaccination FAQ

Here are the questions our patients frequently ask about the Varicella vaccination. [2] Chickenpox/Varicella Vaccination https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/varicella/index.html We’ve answered them based on 20 years of being the busiest walk-in travel clinic in Midtown Manhattan.
Let’s dive in!

Varicella vaccine FAQ

Pregnancy FAQ

Side effects FAQ

Making a Decision about Getting a Shot

I don’t have time to be vaccinated.
How can I reduce my chances of getting sick?

Varicella / Chickenpox
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/infections-diseases/varicella-chickenpox
Chickenpox/Varicella Vaccination
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/varicella/index.html
Chickenpox vaccine overview
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/chickenpox-vaccine/
Chickenpox vaccine FAQs
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/chickenpox-vaccine-questions-answers/

How long does protection from the initial childhood series last?

People who received a single-dose of varicella vaccination during childhood will be protected for at least 10 years. Immunity against varicella lasts for 20 years if they completed the two-dose schedule.

Who should get an adult booster shot?

An adult varicella booster shot is recommended for the following groups of people who are not immune to varicella infection:

Women of childbearing age
Laboratory workers who deal with varicella infection
Healthcare providers
School personnel
Military personnel
Adults who have children
International travelers

How often should I get the varicella booster shots after the initial series?

Booster doses are recommended for people who were vaccinated over 20 years ago and do not have proof of current anti-varicella immunity (blood test results, proof of being infected in the past).

Are there any blood tests that will confirm my immunity to varicella?

Yes! There is a specific test that detects the level of antibodies against the varicella virus in your blood.

Is this test routinely performed by primary care providers?

No! The varicella blood test is done exclusively for specific groups of people at high risk of infection (for example, healthcare providers).

I do not have access to my records. Can I assume that I got these shots as a child?

Probably, yes. In the United States, the majority of children get this vaccine. In most states, the varicella vaccine is mandatory for those who plan to attend a public school or university.

Is the varicella booster shot routinely received by US citizens?

No, most people do not receive a varicella booster shot unless they are one of the following:

Healthcare professional
Student
International traveler
School personnel
Military personnel

If I do not have access to my childhood records, how many varicella shots should I get to be safe?

Ideally, you should get a blood test to check for your level of immunity to varicella. For the majority of people with a low level of immunity, it will be recommended that they get a single booster dose of the vaccine. If you do not get a blood test, have no proof of immunity, or have never been vaccinated against this infection, you will need to complete a two-dose series of varicella vaccination.

Is a booster dose required or recommended?

A booster dose of the varicella vaccine is not required but it is recommended for everyone at risk of varicella acquisition (especially people with a high risk of complications, such as women of reproductive age).

Who cannot get a varicella vaccination?

The varicella vaccine should be avoided by the following people:

Those who have had a severe allergic reaction to a varicella vaccination
Those with suppressed immunity (HIV patients, people receiving chemotherapy, etc.)

How long before I travel should I get the varicella shot?

Ideally, the varicella vaccination should be completed two to four weeks before international travel. However, if you get it later than that, it will still provide partial protection.

I am late getting my vaccination. Is it still worthwhile getting it?

Yes! You will develop partial immunity before your departure and will become fully immune during your trip.

I cannot find my records. Is extra vaccine harmful to my health?

No! An extra dose of varicella vaccine is completely safe.

How can I find my records?

Unfortunately, the United States has no nationwide system that maintains vaccine administration records. You can try to find your records by following the suggestions below.

Ways to Find Your Vaccine Administration Record
Check your medical records at the healthcare facility where you received the vaccine	Contact your school or college
Ask your parents if they have those records	Contact your past employers (some of them require proof of immunization)
Check old medical records from your childhood	Contact your current healthcare provider Contact your local health department

Varicella vaccine [3] Chickenpox vaccine overview https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/chickenpox-vaccine/ is safe and effective. The majority of people do not have any vaccine-related side effects. But as with any vaccine, some adverse effects are possible:

Common Side Effects	Rare Side Effects
local redness, pain, swelling (1 in 4 adults) general discomfort mild rash (1 in 20 adults) fever	hives swelling of the throat difficulty breathing fast heartbeat dizziness serious injury infection of the lung(s) meningitis seizures These are allergy-related side effects

What should I do if I have side effects?

It is important to recognize the Varicella vaccine–associated side effects and know what action to take. See the table below.

Severe Side Effects	Minor Side Effects
Call 911 immediately if you have: swelling of the throat difficulty breathing fast heartbeat infection of the lung(s) meningitis seizures * If you have a vaccine-related injury, call 1-800-338-2382 for compensation.	Usually, minor side effects include local pain and general discomfort. They tend to resolve in one or two days and do not require any medical attention. Drink water and take over-the-counter medication such as Tylenol, Advil, or Benadryl as needed. Use local steroids for a mild rash. *Call us at 212-696-5900 or your primary care physician if symptoms do not resolve within 48 hours.

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