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Chickenpox Vaccine

Diseases
Vaccines
24 August 2026

About

Chickenpox is a disease caused by a virus from the herpes family called the varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms include an itchy, blistering rash and high fever. Possible complications include pneumonia, encephalitis, kidney inflammation, and a severe skin infection. People who have had chickenpox and recovered remain carriers of the virus, which can reactivate years later and cause a disease called shingles.

Vaccine

The chickenpox vaccine is given as part of the combined MMRV vaccine, which also protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, as part of the immunization schedule for babies and children. In most cases, two doses of the vaccine provide protection for at least 10–20 years.

Shortly after vaccination (within 1–2 days), side effects may occur. Most are mild and go away on their own. Common side effects include redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site, fever, and a mild rash.

Guidance in the event of a rash depends on the type of vaccine given: after the combined MMRV vaccine, the rash is not contagious and goes away without treatment. After a separate chickenpox vaccine, the rash should be treated as chickenpox, and the person should stay home until all lesions have crusted over.

Immunization schedule for babies and children

Vaccination schedule

  • 1 year
  • First Grade
Full Schedule

About chickenpox

Chickenpox is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms include high fever and an itchy rash that begins on the scalp and spreads to the entire body. The rash typically starts as flat, red lesions that develop into fluid-filled blisters. Once the fluid-filled blisters are filled with pus, the disease becomes highly contagious because they contain a large quantity of viruses. The blisters will eventually dry out and form a scab, which will eventually fall off. The disease transmits from person to person either through airborne transmission, through coughing and sneezing, or by direct contact with the blisters that define the disease.

Potential complications of chickenpox are typically pneumonia, brain inflammation, kidney inflammation and severe skin infection. While rare, some individuals are at risk of bleeding, kidney failure, or even death. After recovering from chickenpox, individuals become carriers of the virus, which can later reactivate as shingles (herpes zoster).

About the vaccine

The chickenpox vaccine is given as part of the combined MMRV vaccine, which also protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, as part of the immunization schedule for babies and children.

In certain situations, a separate chickenpox vaccine can be given. The side effects and guidance in the event of a rash differ slightly between the two vaccines, so it is important to know which vaccine was given.

You can consult a Family Care Center nurse about the appropriate vaccine and whether a separate chickenpox vaccine is needed.

Vaccine composition Vaccine administration
Live attenuated chickenpox viruses By injection to the arm

Impact of the vaccine in Israel: Chickenpox causes many hospitalizations each year due to complications such as widespread bacterial skin infections, pneumonia, and encephalitis. In 2007, the vaccine was added to the immunization schedule, and since then, the incidence of chickenpox has decreased by about 90%, resulting in fewer hospitalizations.

Catch-up vaccination: If your child is school-aged and has not previously received the chickenpox vaccine included in the immunization schedule, you can contact the school nurse to arrange catch-up vaccination. In addition, the school health team will let you know if your child needs any catch-up vaccinations and will help arrange them with your consent.

More information about catch-up vaccinations

Duration of Protection

In most cases, two doses of the vaccine provide protection for at least 10–20 years.

Possible side effects after vaccination and how to relieve them

Side effects may occur after vaccination. Most are mild and go away on their own within 1 or 2 days. The side effects and guidance may vary depending on the type of vaccine given.

Common side effects:

  • Redness, pain, and swelling at the injection site: You can place a clean cloth soaked in lukewarm water on the area. Avoid massaging or rubbing it.
  • Fever: You can give a fever reducer and pain reliever.
  • Mild chickenpox-like rash: This usually involves a small number of lesions. Because it can be difficult to distinguish between a side effect and a mild case of chickenpox, the condition should be treated as chickenpox, and the person should stay home and isolate until all lesions have crusted over.

Rare side effects:

  • Joint pain and stiffness: You can give a pain reliever and make sure the person gets enough rest.
  • Shingles caused by the vaccine strain: This is very rare. If a painful rash develops, seek medical care.
  • Transmission of the vaccine virus to another person: This is extremely rare and can occur only if lesions develop. In this case, the person should stay home and isolate until all lesions have crusted over.
  • Severe allergic reaction: If there is difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or tongue, or another severe allergic reaction, call Magen David Adom (MDA) immediately at 101 and go to an emergency room.

More information about vaccine side effects

When to seek medical attention at an HMO or emergency medical center after the vaccination

  • If your child seems unusually lethargic.
  • If a fever does not go away within 24–48 hours.
  • If changes in appetite or eating patterns do not go away within 24–48 hours.
  • If seizures occur after vaccination, seek urgent medical care immediately.
  • If any symptom or side effect causes you concern or worry.

If your child experiences symptoms after getting vaccinated in school, please inform the school nurse or the school's preferred healthcare provider.

List of healthcare providers by district

 

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