Chickenpox vaccine: Varivax

The brand name identifies a vaccine product; it does not replace an assessment of whether vaccination is suitable. The product is intended to train the immune system against varicella, the virus that causes chickenpox. It is not a treatment for an active chickenpox rash and does not treat shingles. A clinician will check previous doses and medical history.

Bring your vaccine record and list any allergies, immune-suppressing medicines, pregnancy, or recent illness to the appointment. Ask whether the available product is appropriate and how the dose schedule applies to you. After vaccination, follow the clinic’s advice about observation and contact them if a reaction concerns you. Read more about Chickenpox Vaccination.

Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, fainting, or severe weakness after vaccination. Contact a clinician for persistent fever or a spreading blistering rash. Fever and skin blisters can also signal an unrelated infection, so symptoms should be assessed rather than labelled from appearance alone.

Ask whether Varivax is suitable with your health conditions, which doses are recorded, what reactions are expected, and what symptoms should prompt a call to the clinic.