Chickenpox Vaccine Side Effects

As with any medicine, there are possible chickenpox vaccine side effects. Common side effects of the vaccine can include soreness, fever, and mild rash. Although chickenpox vaccine side effects are a possibility, the risks from the vaccine remain much lower than the risks from the disease itself.

 

An Introduction to Chickenpox Vaccine Side Effects

Since 1995, the chickenpox vaccine has been given safely to tens of millions of people. As with any medicine, there are possible side effects of the chickenpox vaccine. Most of these side effects are minor, meaning that they go away on their own or can be easily treated by a healthcare provider. In rare cases, more serious side effects can occur.
 
It is important to realize that while chickenpox vaccine side effects can occur, the risks from the chickenpox vaccine remain much lower than the risks from the disease itself.
 

Mild Side Effects of Chickenpox Vaccine

Some of the minor problems that can happen with the chickenpox vaccine include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Soreness or swelling where the shot was given (about 1 out of 5 children and up to 1 out of 3 adolescents and adults).
     
  • Fever (1 person out of 10, or fewer).
     
  • Mild rash, up to a month after vaccination (1 person out of 20, or fewer). It is possible for these people to infect other members of their household, but this is extremely rare.
     

Moderate Side Effects of Chickenpox Vaccine

Moderate chickenpox vaccine side effects include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Seizure (jerking or staring) caused by fever (less than 1 person out of 1,000).
     
(Chickenpox Vaccine Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;