Delay guide · VAR
Delaying the Varicella vaccine
VAR: 2 doses; first dose from 12 months; second dose at least 3 months after the first (CDC). Delaying lengthens the time your child is unprotected against chickenpox. Chickenpox can be serious in babies, adolescents and adults, and even in healthy children.
Key takeaways
- Can it be delayed? Yes. It can be spaced out, but the number of doses stays the same.
- Varicella needs 2 doses however late it starts. A later start moves every dose later; it does not remove any.
- Chickenpox can be serious in babies, adolescents and adults, and even in healthy children.
- All 51 jurisdictions (50 states and DC) list Varicella as a kindergarten requirement in our data. Dose counts and grade ranges vary; check your state page.
Can the Varicella vaccine be delayed?
Yes. It can be spaced out, but the number of doses stays the same.
Delaying means a longer stretch during which your child has less protection than the CDC's on-time schedule would give, and sometimes more visits overall. It does not make the vaccine less effective once the series is complete. Whether that trade-off suits your child is a decision for you and your child's healthcare practitioner.
What changes if you start later?
Varicella needs 2 doses however late it starts. A later start moves every dose later; it does not remove any.
- Always 2 doses; the first cannot be given before 12 months.
- For children under 13, doses are spaced ≥3 months apart.
Compare all vaccines or read how delayed schedules work.
What are the risks of waiting?
Chickenpox can be serious in babies, adolescents and adults, and even in healthy children.
- The CDC says chickenpox can be serious and lead to severe complications and death, even in healthy children.
- It adds that chickenpox can be life-threatening, especially during pregnancy, in babies, adolescents, adults and people with weakened immune systems.
Sources: About chickenpox .
What are the minimum ages and intervals for Varicella?
A minimum age and a minimum interval are the earliest a dose counts. The CDC allows a 4-day grace period. Waiting longer than the minimum is always allowed.
| First dose at | Total doses | Minimum age and gap, by dose |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months or older | 2 |
|
How do you catch up on Varicella?
The CDC says a vaccine series does not need to be restarted, however much time has passed between doses; doses already given still count. See the catch-up schedule guide.
- Two doses are always needed. The first is given at 12 months or later.
- For children under 13, the second dose is at least 3 months after the first.
Is the Varicella vaccine required for school?
All 51 jurisdictions (50 states and DC) list Varicella as a kindergarten requirement in our data. Dose counts and grade ranges vary; check your state page.
Look up your state. Many states also allow provisional enrollment while a series is in progress.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Varicella vaccine be delayed?
Yes. It can be spaced out, but the number of doses stays the same. Varicella needs 2 doses however late it starts. A later start moves every dose later; it does not remove any.
What are the risks of delaying the Varicella vaccine?
The CDC says chickenpox can be serious and lead to severe complications and death, even in healthy children. It adds that chickenpox can be life-threatening, especially during pregnancy, in babies, adolescents, adults and people with weakened immune systems.
What is the minimum age for the Varicella vaccine?
The first dose of Varicella can be given from 12 months. Later doses have their own minimum ages and minimum intervals after the previous dose, shown in the table on this page. The CDC counts a dose given up to 4 days before a minimum age or interval.
Is the Varicella vaccine required for school?
All 51 jurisdictions (50 states and DC) list Varicella as a kindergarten requirement in our data. Dose counts and grade ranges vary; check your state page.
See how Varicella fits into a full plan
The free planner applies these rules for you and shows what fits before a school deadline. Review the result with your child's healthcare practitioner.
Build my plan →Sources
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