Important: VAERS reports alone cannot determine if a vaccine caused an adverse event. Reports may contain incomplete, inaccurate, or unverified information. Correlation does not equal causation.
The varicella vaccine (Varivax) protects against chickenpox and is given as two doses in childhood. With over 93,000 VAERS reports, it's one of the most-reported childhood vaccines — largely reflecting its widespread use since FDA approval in 1995.
The following symptoms are most frequently reported after varicella vaccination:
Varicella protection is available as standalone Varivax or combined with MMR as ProQuad (MMRV). ProQuad has a slightly higher rate of febrile seizures in children 12-23 months compared to giving MMR and varicella separately, which is why the CDC allows either approach for the first dose.
Common (occurring in >10% of recipients):
Less common:
Rare:
Before the varicella vaccine, chickenpox caused about 100 deaths and 10,000+ hospitalizations per year in the U.S. Since routine vaccination began in 1995, chickenpox cases have declined by over 90%. The vaccine's benefits in preventing natural chickenpox complications far exceed the risks of reported adverse events.
Many VAERS reports for varicella involve co-administered vaccines (given at the same visit), making it difficult to attribute symptoms to any single vaccine.
The chickenpox vaccine is given in two childhood doses. See exactly when each is due on the CDC vaccine schedule, review our 2026 vaccine schedule analysis, and explore pediatric VAERS patterns.
As of mid-2026, the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine continues to be monitored through VAERS and complementary surveillance systems including the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) and the Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment (CISA) project. No new safety signals have been identified in recent data that would change the established safety profile of this vaccine.
The HHS administration's announced development of AI-powered VAERS analysis tools may provide additional insights into varicella (chickenpox) vaccine adverse event patterns. These tools aim to detect subtle signals that traditional statistical methods might miss, though their implementation timeline and methodology remain under development.
It's worth noting that VAERS reporting for routine vaccines like varicella (chickenpox) has remained stable through the post-pandemic period. While COVID-19 vaccine reports surged and then declined, reporting patterns for established childhood and adult vaccines have been remarkably consistent, suggesting that the VAERS system continues to function as designed for ongoing safety surveillance.
When interpreting VAERS data for varicella (chickenpox) vaccines, several key principles apply:
VAERS data is most useful as a starting point for conversation with your healthcare provider, not as a basis for medical decisions. If you're concerned about varicella (chickenpox) vaccine side effects:
For the most up-to-date safety information, consult the CDC's vaccine information pages or speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
As of mid-2026, the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine continues to be monitored through VAERS and complementary surveillance systems including the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) and the Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment (CISA) project. No new safety signals have been identified in recent data that would change the established safety profile of this vaccine.
The HHS administration's announced development of AI-powered VAERS analysis tools may provide additional insights into varicella (chickenpox) vaccine adverse event patterns. These tools aim to detect subtle signals that traditional statistical methods might miss, though their implementation timeline and methodology remain under development.
It's worth noting that VAERS reporting for routine vaccines like varicella (chickenpox) has remained stable through the post-pandemic period. While COVID-19 vaccine reports surged and then declined, reporting patterns for established childhood and adult vaccines have been remarkably consistent, suggesting that the VAERS system continues to function as designed for ongoing safety surveillance.
When interpreting VAERS data for varicella (chickenpox) vaccines, several key principles apply:
VAERS data is most useful as a starting point for conversation with your healthcare provider, not as a basis for medical decisions. If you're concerned about varicella (chickenpox) vaccine side effects:
For the most up-to-date safety information, consult the CDC's vaccine information pages or speak with a qualified healthcare professional.