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Chickenpox Vaccine Side Effects
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with the chickenpox vaccine. Common reactions to the vaccine include soreness, fever, and mild rash. Although side effects are always a possibility, the risks from getting the vaccine remain much lower than the risks associated with the disease itself.
from eMedTV.comSince 1995, the chickenpox vaccine has been given safely to tens of millions of people. As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with this vaccine. Most of these side effects are minor, meaning that they go away on their own or can be treated easily 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.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects of the chickenpox vaccine. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of side effects with you.)
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 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).
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD