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Reducing Your Risk of Chickenpox

Authors:
  • Cynthia M. Johnson, MA
Publication Type:

ConditionInDepth

Reducing Your Risk of Chickenpox

These steps may lower a person's risk of getting chickenpox:

  • Stay away from people who have chickenpox.
  • Get the chickenpox vaccine.

Chickenpox Vaccine

The chickenpox vaccine is a series of 2 shots. It is often given to children at ages:

  • 12 to 15 months
  • 4 to 6 years

It may also be given to older children, adolescents, and adults. It may be needed for those who never had chickenpox and were never vaccinated.

It may also be given within 3 to 5 days of being exposed to someone with chickenpox.

References

  • Chickenpox. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/chickenpox.
  • Chickenpox. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: https://familydoctor.org/condition/chickenpox.
  • Chickenpox (varicella). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox.
  • Kennedy PGE, Gershon AA. Clinical features of varicella-zoster virus infection. Viruses. 2018;10(11):609.

Contributors

  • April Scott, NP
Last Updated:
2022-11-01

(C) Copyright 2023 EBSCO Information Services

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.