Varicella Virus Vaccine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 8, 2024.

Applies to varicella virus vaccine: powder for suspension.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, varicella virus vaccine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking varicella virus vaccine:

More common side effects

• fever over 39°C (102°F)

Less common side effects

• blue lips and fingernails
• chest pain or tightness
• chickenpox-like skin rash
• coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
• decreased urine output
• difficult, fast, or noisy breathing
• dilated neck veins
• extreme tiredness or weakness
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• increased sweating
• irregular breathing
• irregular heartbeat
• irritability
• pale skin
• swelling of the ankles, face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• weight gain

Rare side effects

• black, tarry stools
• blood in the urine or stools
• chills
• confusion
• cough
• difficulty with breathing or swallowing
• fever
• hives
• itching, especially of the feet or hands
• muscle or joint pain
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• reddening of the skin, especially around the ears
• seizures with high fever
• severe or continuing headache
• stiff neck
• swelling of the glands in the neck
• thickening of bronchial secretions
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness, sudden and severe
• vomiting

Incidence not known

• back pain, sudden and severe
• bleeding gums
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• bloody nose
• blurred vision
• bruising more easily
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• headache
• heavier menstrual periods
• inability to move the arms and legs
• inability to speak
• large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• loss of bladder control
• muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
• painful blisters on the trunk of the body
• painful knees and ankles
• pale skin
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• raised red swellings on the skin, buttocks, legs, or ankles
• red, irritated eyes
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• seizures
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• skin rash
• slurred speech
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• stomach pain
• sudden loss of consciousness
• sudden numbness and weakness in the arms and legs
• swollen or painful glands
• temporary blindness
• tingling of the hands or feet
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• unusual weight gain or loss
• weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe
• weakness of the muscles in your face

Other side effects

Some side effects of varicella virus vaccine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• fever of 37.7°C (100°F) or higher, but not above 39°C (102°F)
• hives, itching, pain, redness, soreness, tenderness, or warmth at the injection site

Less common side effects

• common cold
• congestion
• constipation
• cracked, dry, or scaly skin
• diaper rash
• diarrhea
• disturbed sleep
• dry skin
• earache
• heat rash or prickly heat
• lack or loss of strength
• loss of appetite
• muscle ache, cramp, or stiffness
• nausea
• nervousness
• runny nose
• skin rash, encrusted, scaly, and oozing
• sneezing
• sore throat
• stuffy nose
• swelling
• swollen joints
• teething

Incidence not known

• bacterial skin infections
• body aches or pain
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• difficulty with moving
• dryness or soreness of the throat
• hoarseness
• pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth on the skin
• red rash with watery, yellow-colored, or pus-filled blisters
• thick yellow to honey-colored crusts
• voice changes

For healthcare professionals

Applies to varicella virus vaccine: injectable powder for injection, subcutaneous powder for injection.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were injection site reactions and fever.^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fever (27%), otitis media (12%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Otitis, viral infection, asthenia, hematoma, malaise
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Ear pain, infection, candidiasis, non-venomous bite/sting, heaviness
• Frequency not reported: Insect bites^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Injection site complaints (pain/soreness, swelling and/or erythema, rash, pruritus, hematoma, induration, stiffness) (32.5%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Varicella-like rash (injection site)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site ecchymosis, induration
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Extravasation, injection site eczema, lump, warmth, stiffness, pain/tenderness/soreness, warm sensation, warm to touch, venipuncture site hemorrhage^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory infection (26.9%), cough (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Rhinorrhea
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nasal congestion, respiratory congestion, influenza, pharyngitis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Pneumonitis, sinusitis, sneezing, pulmonary congestion, epistaxis, rhinitis, wheezing, bronchitis, respiratory infection, pneumonia, flu-like illness
• Frequency not reported: Upper respiratory illness, lower respiratory illness^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Varicella-like rash (generalized), rash, measles/rubella-like rash
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Varicella, viral exanthema, contact dermatitis, diaper rash, erythema, miliaria rubra, pruritus, urticaria
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Flushing, vesicle, atopic dermatitis, eczema, acne, herpes simplex, contusion, dermatitis, drug eruption, impetigo, skin infection, measles, sunburn, lump, warmth, discoloration, inflammation, roughness/dryness, hive-like rash, hyperpigmentation
• Postmarketing reports: Varicella (vaccine strain), Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, secondary bacterial infections of skin and soft tissue including cellulitis, herpes zoster^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Irritability
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Crying, insomnia, sleep disorder
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Apathy, nervousness, agitation, dream abnormality, emotional changes
• Frequency not reported: Disturbed sleep^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Gastroenteritis, diarrhea, vomiting
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence, hematochezia, mouth ulcer, lip abnormality
• Frequency not reported: Constipation, cold/canker sore^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Headache, somnolence, fatigue
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Febrile seizures, hypersomnia, gait abnormality, tremor
• Postmarketing reports: Encephalitis, cerebrovascular accident, transverse myelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Bell's palsy, ataxia, non-febrile seizures, aseptic meningitis, dizziness, paresthesia^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Lymphadenopathy, lymphadenitis, thrombocytopenia
• Postmarketing reports: Aplastic anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Allergic reactions (including allergic rash, hives)
• Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis (including anaphylactic shock) and related phenomena such as angioneurotic edema, facial edema, and peripheral edema; anaphylaxis in individuals with or without an allergic history^[Ref]

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Conjunctivitis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Acute conjunctivitis, tearing, edema of the eyelid, irritation
• Frequency not reported: Eye complaints
• Postmarketing reports: Necrotizing retinitis (in immunocompromised individuals)^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anorexia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Musculoskeletal pain, myalgia, stiffness, pain of the hip, leg, or neck
• Frequency not reported: Chills, stiff neck, arthralgia^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• Why did I get chickenpox even though I've been vaccinated?

Further information

Varicella virus vaccine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer