Chickenpox vaccine

Chickenpox (also known as varicella) is a very contagious infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. You can protect your child from chickenpox with a vaccine.

Who should get the chickenpox vaccine?

• Children should get 2 shots for chickenpox: the first when they are 12 to 15 months old and a second “booster” shot when they are 4 to 6 years old (before they start school). In some provinces/territories, the second dose is given at 18 months old.
• Children who have had chickenpox before one year of age may not stay immune and should receive the vaccine at the recommended times indicated above.
• People who have had chickenpox after they are 1 year of age do not need to get the vaccine. But if they do get the vaccine, it will not hurt them.
• Teens and adults up to age 50 who have not had chickenpox or the vaccine should get 2 shots, given at least 6 weeks apart.
• Women planning for pregnancy who have not had chickenpox or the vaccine should receive the 2 shots at least 4 weeks before getting pregnant. 

How safe is the chickenpox vaccine?

It is very safe.

• There may be some redness, swelling, itching or pain where the needle went into the arm or leg, usually 5-23 days after vaccination. This is not dangerous and will only last a day or two.
• Some people may have a fever 5-12 days after vaccination. 
• A few people will get a very mild case of a chickenpox-like rash (usually no more than 10 spots) 1 or 2 weeks after they get the vaccine.

Do not give your child ibuprofen or acetaminophen before or around the time of vaccination as it does not prevent the pain of injection and it could have an impact on how well the vaccine works. These medications can be used to treat fever, pain, or other bothersome side effects if they develop after vaccination.

Who should NOT have the chickenpox vaccine?

• Babies less than 1 year old.
• People with weak immune systems and/or people who are taking drugs to suppress their immune system.
• Those who are pregnant. The chickenpox vaccine contains a very weak form of the virus and such vaccines are generally not recommended in pregnancy because of concern that the vaccine may be passed to the fetus. However there has been no harm to the babies born to mothers who got this vaccine during pregnancy.
• People who have had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine (swelling of the face or lips, difficulty breathing or blood pressure dropping) should not get it again unless seen by a specialist and vaccinated in a special clinic that can control serious reactions.  

Where can I get the vaccine for my child?

Talk to your doctor about the vaccine. In some provinces, the chickenpox vaccine is given by itself; in others it is combined with the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella. This combination vaccine is called MMRV.