Two doses of the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine protect 90% of individuals from getting chickenpox or greatly reduce the symptoms, according to the CDC. It is highly contagious and can cause pneumonia. The chickenpox virus can also cause shingles, a painful skin rash that can attack the nervous system, in adult life. By getting vaccinated, the health of the surrounding community improves. 

Chickenpox is caused by a virus and is recognized by red skin blisters that itch, as well as fever, exhaustion, and headache. It is transferable if someone touches an infected person's blisters or by breathing in the virus which is released when an infected person scratches their blisters.

Chickenpox/Varicella Vaccine

Two doses of vaccine is required and usually part of the childhood vaccination series at 1 year of age and 4 to 6 years of age.