Written by Morgan Michalkiewicz, MPH; Kianna DuFault, MPH; and Seth Ferrey-Wander, MPH

Chickenpox

Cases of chickenpox (also known as herpes zoster) have dramatically dropped in the United States over the last 30 years. This drop is credited to the chickenpox vaccination program, which introduced the chickenpox vaccine as part of the routine childhood immunization schedule in 1995.¹ The chickenpox vaccine is a two-dose series. The first dose is given around 1 year of age and the second at 4-6 years of age.

The introduction of the vaccine has been an incredibly successful public health initiative. It is estimated to have prevented 91 million cases, 238,000 hospitalizations, and 2,000 deaths over the first 25 years of the program. Chickenpox cases have dropped by 97% since 1995.² 

Two Very Different Experiences

Because the chickenpox vaccine is a relatively recent addition to the immunization schedule, the term “chickenpox” likely raises different reactions across age groups. Those born around 1995 
or later are unlikely ever to be exposed to the disease or even hear of cases in their community after being vaccinated.

For those born before 1995, chickenpox was a very different experience. If there was a known case of chickenpox among friends, neighbors, or families, parents often went out of their way to expose their children while they were still young. Informally, these were known as chickenpox (or “pox”) parties.³ Parents did this because getting chickenpox for the first time is usually more severe as an adult than as a child. To be clear, public health experts do not encourage or consider it safe to have chickenpox parties or any other intentional event to spread disease. In children, symptoms of chickenpox include fever, fatigue, and a rash characterized by fluid-filled blisters that can cover much of the body. Oatmeal baths were commonly used to relieve the itching associated with the rash.⁴ Thankfully, the introduction of the vaccine suddenly eliminated the need for exposure or treatment involving oatmeal baths.  

Shingles

The chickenpox vaccine also protects against shingles, which is an infection that causes a painful rash. Both chickenpox and shingles are caused by the same virus. Those who have natural exposure to chickenpox (vs. the chickenpox vaccine) are prone to getting shingles later in life.

Shingles can happen at any age. However, it is most common in individuals over the age of 60. Shingles is unpredictable because the original chickenpox virus can remain dormant in the infected individual for the rest of their life. The dormant virus can reactivate at a time when the immune system is suppressed. About one in three people who had chickenpox will get shingles in their lifetime. The two-dose shingles vaccine is recommended for everyone 50 years and older.⁵ 

Path Forward

The introduction of the chickenpox vaccine ranks among the most successful vaccination initiatives in history, along with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination series, polio vaccination introduction in 1955, and even the successful worldwide eradication of smallpox in 1980. Hopefully, both chickenpox and shingles will become a distant memory as we continue to vaccinate our children, families, and communities over the years to come.

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References 
1. Impact of U.S. chickenpox vaccination program. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 22, 2024. Accessed January 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/vaccination-impact/index.html

2. Chickenpox vaccine saves lives. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 9, 2024. Accessed January 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/vaccination-impact/infographic.html

3. Why do people have pox parties? MedicalNewsToday. Updated May 24, 2023. Accessed January 2026. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323728

4. How to care for a child with chickenpox. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Updated August 17, 2022. Accessed January 2026. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/itchy-skin/rash/chicken-pox

5. About shingles (herpes zoster). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 17, 2025. Accessed January 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/index.html