Vaccines and Preventable Diseases:
Immunity Against (Protection From) Chickenpox
For Public
You do not need the chickenpox vaccine if you meet any of these criteria for evidence of immunity:
- Documentation of age-appropriate chickenpox vaccination;
- Preschool-age children (12 months of age through 3 years old): 1 dose
- School-age children, adolescents, adults: 2 doses
- Laboratory evidence of immunity or laboratory confirmation of disease
- Birth in the United States before 1980. (Note: This is not adequate evidence of immunity for healthcare workers, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. Such people need to meet one of the other criteria for evidence of immunity.)
- Diagnosis or verification of a history of chickenpox or shingles by a healthcare provider.
If you do not have evidence of immunity against chickenpox, talk with your doctor about getting vaccinated.
For more information, see
Related Pages
- Types of Chickenpox Vaccine
- Possible Side Effects of Chickenpox Vaccine
- Childcare and School Vaccine Requirements
Return to main Varicella Vaccination page
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This page last modified on April 5, 2012
Content last reviewed on April 5, 2012
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
Content last reviewed on April 5, 2012
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases