From the Guidelines
A 1-month wait is not always required after previous vaccinations to receive the varicella vaccine, but it is recommended to wait at least 28 days after another live-virus vaccine.
Key Considerations
- The immune response to one live-virus vaccine might be impaired if administered within 30 days of another live-virus vaccine 1.
- A study found that persons who received varicella vaccine <30 days after MMR vaccination had an increased risk for varicella vaccine failure 1.
- However, the recommended minimum interval between the two doses of varicella vaccine is 3 months for children aged 12 months--12 years, and 4 weeks for persons aged >13 years 1.
- For adults, a 2-dose series of varicella vaccine is recommended 4-8 weeks apart if previously did not receive varicella-containing vaccine 1.
Administration Guidelines
- Single-antigen varicella vaccine is approved for use among healthy persons aged >12 months 1.
- Combination MMRV vaccine is approved for use among healthy children aged 12 months--12 years 1.
- The effect of nonsimultaneously administering rubella, mumps, varicella, and yellow fever vaccines is unknown 1.
- Routine vaccination with varicella vaccine is recommended for individuals without evidence of immunity, with a minimum interval of 4-8 weeks between doses 1.
From the Research
Varicella Vaccine Administration
- The varicella vaccine can be administered simultaneously with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine or separately, with a recommended wait of at least 30 days between vaccinations 2.
- There is no specific requirement for a 1-month wait after previous vaccinations to receive the varicella vaccine, but a 30-day wait is recommended if the vaccines are not administered simultaneously 2.
Vaccine Effectiveness and Administration
- The effectiveness of the varicella vaccine in preventing chickenpox and attenuating the illness has been demonstrated in various studies 3, 4.
- A second dose of varicella vaccine is recommended to improve protection against the disease and reduce the risk of breakthrough varicella 4, 5.
- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends administering the second dose of varicella vaccine between 4 to 8 weeks after the first dose for individuals over 12 years of age 6, but a routine 2-dose recommendation is suggested for better control of varicella outbreaks 4.