Chickenpox
Vaccine-preventable and invasive bacterial disease dashboard
Chickenpox
Chickenpox (varicella) is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The virus causes an itchy blister-like rash, fatigue (tiredness), and fever. It can be especially serious in babies, older adults, and people who have weakened immune systems.
Chickenpox spreads easily through coughing and sneezing. It can also be spread by touching or breathing in particles from chickenpox blisters. The chickenpox vaccine is very effective at preventing chickenpox. For people who do get infected with chickenpox even though they’ve been vaccinated, the vaccine helps make the chickenpox symptoms less severe.
Information for the general public
Information for public health departments
- Case report form
- Disease plan
- Immunize.org
- Manual for the surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases
- The Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (Pink Book)
- CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel
Information for healthcare professionals
- Varicella zoster (VariZig) recommendations
- Varicella zoster (VariZig) request form
- Vaccine-preventable disease testing guide for medical providers
Information for schools and childcare
- Chickenpox school report form
- Chickenpox school policy
- Outbreak notification letter
- Utah immunization guidebook