Have I been vaccinated against varicella (chickenpox)?

How to Determine Your Varicella Vaccination Status

Check Your Vaccination Records First

The most reliable way to confirm whether you received the chickenpox vaccine is to obtain your official vaccination records from your healthcare provider, school, or state immunization registry. 1

Understanding Immunity Evidence

If vaccination records are unavailable, the following constitute acceptable evidence of varicella immunity according to CDC guidelines:

• Documentation of two doses of varicella vaccine administered at least 4 weeks apart 1
• Laboratory confirmation of immunity through serologic testing (VZV IgG antibody) 1
• Healthcare provider diagnosis or verification of a history of varicella disease 1
• Healthcare provider diagnosis or verification of a history of herpes zoster 1

Important Considerations for Your Age Group

• Birth before 1980 is NOT considered evidence of immunity if you work in healthcare settings, due to the risk of nosocomial transmission to high-risk patients 1
• For non-healthcare workers born before 1980, natural immunity from childhood chickenpox is generally assumed, though 5-10% of adults remain susceptible 2
• Most adults (88-91%) have been exposed to varicella zoster virus even without recalled chickenpox history, indicating subclinical or forgotten childhood infection 3

Serologic Testing Option

If you cannot locate vaccination records and don't recall having chickenpox:

• Serologic screening (VZV IgG antibody test) can definitively determine your immunity status 1
• This is particularly cost-effective for healthcare personnel and is recommended before vaccination in institutional settings 1
• Commercial ELISA assays may lack sensitivity to detect vaccine-induced antibodies in all cases, though more sensitive tests show 99% of adults develop antibodies after two doses 4

What to Do If You're Unvaccinated or Uncertain

• If you have no evidence of immunity, you should receive two doses of varicella vaccine administered 4-8 weeks apart 1, 4
• The vaccine is highly effective, with protective efficacy >90% when given as a two-dose series 5
• Do not delay vaccination to obtain serologic testing unless you're in a healthcare setting where institutional protocols require it 1

Critical Pitfall to Avoid

• Don't assume you're immune just because you don't remember having chickenpox - approximately 5-10% of adults remain susceptible despite reaching adulthood 2
• However, remember that the vast majority (88-91%) of adults without recalled chickenpox history were actually exposed and are immune 3