Chickenpox (Varicella) Vaccine: What to Know

Varicella, better known as chickenpox, causes an itchy, blistering rash that most people associate with childhood. But adults who contract chickenpox for the first time tend to have more severe symptoms and a higher risk of complications than children do.

From a skin standpoint, the biggest risks come from scratching: broken blisters are prone to secondary bacterial infections like impetigo or cellulitis, and deep or infected lesions can leave lasting scars. Keeping the skin barrier intact during a chickenpox infection is genuinely difficult, which is part of why prevention through vaccination is the better path when possible.

If you're starting a biologic, methotrexate, or another immunosuppressive treatment for a skin condition, your care team may check your varicella immunity status first. Live vaccines, including the varicella vaccine, generally can't be given once immunosuppressive therapy is underway, so confirming immunity (through prior infection or vaccination) ahead of time is a standard and important step.

If you're not sure whether you're immune, whether from never having had chickenpox or never being vaccinated, it's worth checking before starting any new immune-modulating treatment.