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HCP · Clinical FAQ · Egypt

Varicella

FAQ

Varicella vaccine schedules and post-exposure use.

Content added: NOVEMBER 29, 2025

Last updated: JUNE 04, 2026

The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are adapted from the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and have been tailored to align with the vaccination schedule and practices in Egypt.

32 questions — use search or expand items below. Content is in English (LTR).

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Q1How is varicella transmitted and for how long is an infected person contagious?▾

Q2What do you give to a child younger than 1 year of age if they were exposed to the chickenpox or zoster virus?▾

Q3Does ACIP recommend giving varicella vaccine to infants before age 1 year if they are traveling internationally?▾

Q4Can varicella vaccine be used as postexposure prophylaxis for a 9-month-old who was exposed to herpes zoster?▾

Q5I have a patient who is 52 years old and is immigrating to the U.S. She received a dose of recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix) at age 50. The immigration requirements state she should receive 2 doses of varicella vaccine. Does she need additional varicella vaccine?▾

Q6Concerning the recommendation for a second dose of varicella vaccine, does CDC recommend that a teen who received only one varicella vaccine when they were preschool age get a second dose now?▾

Q7Originally, ACIP only recommended one dose of varicella vaccine for children. Why did ACIP later revise its recommendations to add a second dose of varicella vaccine for all children?▾

Q8Should a child who has had chickenpox prior to the first birthday get the first dose of varicella vaccine at age 1 year?▾

Q9If an adult or child has not had documented chickenpox but has had shingles, is varicella vaccination recommended?▾

Q10Should a person who received 2 doses of varicella vaccine be vaccinated for herpes zoster when they turn 50?▾

Q11If a child has a very mild case of chickenpox (for example, only 5 to 10 pox), is s/he immune or should s/he be vaccinated?▾

Q12I understand that varicella vaccine can be used in postexposure settings. How soon after exposure does the vaccine need to be administered?▾

Q14Does varicella vaccine affect tuberculosis skin test readings in the same way that MMR does?▾

Q15What are the recommendations for varicella vaccination before and after pregnancy?▾

Q16How long should a person who has had varicella vaccination wait before becoming pregnant?▾

Q17If a person receives varicella vaccine and subsequently confirms pregnancy, what should the person be told about the risk to the fetus?▾

Q18What is the recommended schedule for vaccinating a child? What about adults?▾

Q19A child received only one dose of varicella vaccine and subsequently tests positive for varicella IgG antibody. Does the child still need a second dose of varicella vaccine?▾

Q20A nursing student received 2 valid, documented doses of varicella vaccine. For whatever reason, she subsequently had a titer drawn. The titer was negative. Do you recommend revaccination with 2 doses of varicella vaccine?▾

Q21What are the contraindications and precautions to varicella vaccine?▾

Q22What are the recommendations for the use of varicella vaccine in children with HIV or other immunodeficiencies?▾

Q23Recently we had a one-year-old with congenital heart disease and who is on chronic aspirin therapy in for a well-child check and routine vaccination. Are there any recommendations regarding varicella vaccine being given to children who are on chronic aspirin therapy?▾

Q24After receiving varicella vaccine, should healthcare personnel avoid contact with immunocompromised patients?▾

Q25If a patient is breast-feeding her six-month-old baby, can she receive varicella vaccine without the risk of transmitting the vaccine virus to her baby?▾

Q27We have a patient who has selective IgA deficiency. We also have patients with selective IgM deficiency. Can MMR or varicella vaccine be administered to these patients?▾

Q28If a child had 1 varicella vaccination and developed a vesicular (chickenpox-like) rash at the vaccination site 7 to 10 days after vaccination, does the patient still need the second dose? What if the rash covered the entire body?▾

Q29If a child breaks out in 5 to 10 maculopapular spots 2 weeks following varicella vaccination, can s/he go to school?▾

Q30If a vaccinated child gets 5 to 10 vesicular lesions 2 weeks after vaccination, can s/he attend school?▾

Q31We have a 40 lb six-year-old patient who has been taking 15 mg of methotrexate weekly for arthritis for 12 months. Can we give the child MMR and varicella vaccine based on this methotrexate dosage?▾

Q32An 8-month-old was erroneously given varicella vaccine. What might the consequences be? What should we do now?▾

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