Chickenpox (Varicella)

Chickenpox is a very contagious disease that causes a red, itchy rash with blisters. The rash can spread over the entire body. Chickenpox can be spread by touch or by inhaling the virus after an infected person coughs, breathes, or talks. Although usually mild to moderate, the disease can be serious and even life-threatening. The chickenpox vaccines have greatly reduced the number of people who get it and the serious consequences of chickenpox.source: ¹

The best way to protect your child against chickenpox is to get them vaccinated. Because most kids get chickenpox vaccines, the number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths from chickenpox has dropped by over 90% since the vaccines were introduced.source: ¹ There are two vaccines that protect people from chickenpox:source: ² (1) the chickenpox vaccine protects kids and adults from chickenpox alone, and (2) the MMRV vaccine protects kids 12 months through 12 years old from measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox (varicella).source: ³

Chickenpox spreads easily from person to person. Although symptoms are normally mild, it can sometimes cause serious conditions like pneumonia (a lung infection), encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and even death.source: ^2,source: ⁴ Babies and children with weakened immune systems are also at a higher risk for severe disease.source: ⁴ Vaccinating your child against chickenpox helps protect them. Pregnant women are also at high risk for complications if they get chickenpox.source: ⁴

The chickenpox virus can cause shingles later in life. Shingles is a painful skin rash that can affect the nervous system in severe cases. Kids who get the chickenpox vaccine may have a lower risk of developing shingles later in life.source: ⁵

Most parents report their children had no side effects. Your child might experience mild side effects like a sore arm, a fever, or a rash. Serious reactions are rare.source: ⁷