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Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine

Drug Class: Commonly Known As: Category:
Varicella, Varivax, Varilrix Adult, Children

Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine cause?

Common side effects include:

  • Some people may feel faint after the vaccination
    • Sit for 15 minutes to avoid fainting
  • Pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
    • You may place a cold compress over the affected area for relief
    • You may take paracetamol for pain relief
  • Fever
    • You may take paracetamol to treat the fever

Please see a doctor if these side effects do not get better or become worse.

Rare but serious side effects include:

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

  • Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Itchy skin rashes over your whole body


If you experience any of these symptoms, you should inform your healthcare professional immediately.

Before taking Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine , what precautions must I follow?

​Inform your healthcare professional if:

  • You are allergic to this vaccine or any of the other ingredients of this vaccine, including neomycin antibiotic
  • You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
  • You are taking any other medications
  • You are currently not feeling well and having a fever
  • You have a weak immune system due to an illness such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection or cancer
  • You are currently on treatment or on medications that may weaken your immune system (e.g. high dose steroids)
  • You had recently taken any other vaccine
  • You have recently received a blood transfusion

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine ?

Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine - Additional Information

  • Tags: Varicella-Zoster Immunoglobulin
  • Updated on
  • Article contributed by PSS National Medication Information Workgroup PSS National Medication Information Workgroup
The information provided is not intended as medical advice. Terms of use. Information provided by SingHealth

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