History of the Vaccine

A varicella vaccine developed in Japan in the 1970’s was licensed for routine use in Japan and Korea in 1988. The varicella vaccine was recommended for routine use in the United States in 1995. In 2005, a measles, mumps, rubella, varicella combination vaccine was licensed. In 2006, a second dose of a varicella-containing vaccine was recommended.

Who should receive the vaccine?

• All children aged 12 to 18 months
• All older children and adults who have not had chickenpox and have not been vaccinated
• If someone who has never had chickenpox disease or received the vaccine is exposed to chickenpox, giving him or her the vaccine within 72 hours will probably prevent or significantly reduce the severity of the disease. It is recommended under such circumstances.

Who should not receive the vaccine?

• People who have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, to the antibiotic neomycin, or (for those needing a second dose) to a previous dose of the chickenpox vaccine
• Those who are receiving the MMR vaccine simultaneously should not get the varicella vaccine from the same needle or in the same place on the body.
• Pregnant women should wait until after they give birth to receive the vaccine. Women should not become pregnant for at least one month after receiving the vaccine. To date, there are no reported cases of congenital varicella syndrome caused by the vaccine.
• Persons with T-lymphocyte immunodeficiency, including those with leukemia, lymphoma, other malignancies affecting the bone marrow and congenital T-cell abnormalities. The vaccine may be given to children with acute lymphocytic leukemia under study conditions, and HIV-infected persons who are immunocompetent may be vaccinated. Susceptible family members and other contacts of HIV-infected or immunodeficient persons should receive the chickenpox vaccine, because of the risk that natural chickenpox and its complications present for these patients.
• Varicella vaccine should not be given for five months following the receipt of antibody-containing (e.g., blood transfusion) products.
• People who are moderately or severely ill should consult with their physician before receiving any vaccine.