The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine helps protect against the varicella zoster virus. This is the virus that causes chickenpox.
Although chickenpox is usually mild, it can be serious for some people, including:
- babies
- young children
- pregnant women
- people with a weak immune system because of a disease or treatment such as chemotherapy
The vaccine prevents chickenpox and stops people getting seriously ill from the virus.
Chickenpox (varicella) vaccine for children
The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine has become part of the HSE childhood vaccine schedule.
If your child was born on or after 1 October 2024, the vaccine will be part of their childhood vaccinations.
There are 2 doses.
They will get:
- dose 1 when they are 12 months old
- dose 2 when they are in junior infants at school
If your child was born before 1 October 2024, the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine will not be part of their vaccination schedule. If you would like your child to be vaccinated, you can ask your GP for the vaccine, but you will have to pay for it.
Who should get the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine
The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine is suitable for most people from 12 months old.
We recommend your child gets the vaccine if it's part of their childhood vaccines.
Also consider getting the vaccine if you have not had chickenpox and:
- you are a healthcare worker
- you or your child are in close contact with someone at risk - for example, you could pay to get a child vaccinated if a parent is having chemotherapy
When not to get the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine
The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine is a live vaccine. This means it contains a weakened version of the chickenpox virus, so is not suitable for everyone.
Do not get the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine if you:
- have a weak immune system because of a disease or treatment - for example, chemotherapy for cancer
- are pregnant
- had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to the first dose of the vaccine, or any part (ingredient) of the vaccine
Avoid getting pregnant for 1 month after getting the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine.
Wait to get the vaccine
You should delay getting the vaccine if you are ill with a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher. Wait until you feel better.
How you get the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine
The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine is given as an injection into your arm. Young children get it as an injection in the leg.
You get 2 doses. You will not need a booster dose.
You can get the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine at the same time as other vaccines.
If the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine is part of your child's immunisation schedule, they will get it along with the MMR and MenB vaccines.
How well the vaccine works
After getting 2 doses of the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine, 86% to 98% of children are immune to the virus.
If you get chickenpox after being vaccinated, you'll usually have milder symptoms than someone who has not been vaccinated.
Chickenpox (varicella) vaccine side effects
Most side effects of the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine are mild and do not last long.
You can take paracetamol to help ease any side effects.
These can include:
- swelling or pain in the area where you got the injection
- a high temperature
- a mild rash
Mild rash
Sometimes children get a mild rash with a few spots after the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine. This can happen 5 to 26 days after they get the vaccine. The spots usually appear around where they got the injection, but they can be on other parts of the body.
The rash goes away on its own and does not need treatment.
You can read more about this at immunisation.ie
Serious side effects
More serious side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction, are very rare.
