In 2020, the Health Council of the Netherlands issued an advisory opinion that chickenpox vaccination should not be included in the National Immunisation Programme in the Netherlands. The chickenpox situation on the BES islands (Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba) is different than in the European Netherlands. That is why vaccination against chickenpox is included in the National Immunisation Programme in that region.

In the Netherlands, you can have yourself or your child vaccinated at your own request. You will need to pay for it yourself.

Who could benefit from vaccination against chickenpox?

Because chickenpox is so contagious, most people who were born in the Netherlands have already had it as a child. Most children do not become very ill from the disease. Adults who have never had chickenpox before could become more seriously ill from chickenpox. This is especially likely during pregnancy. For that reason, vaccination could be useful for people who have never had chickenpox before and have a higher risk of serious illness if they get it as adults. This includes:

• adults who have never had chickenpox before and work with children
• children over 12 years old who have never had chickenpox before
• women trying to become pregnant who have never had chickenpox before

Who cannot get vaccinated against chickenpox?

The chickenpox vaccine is not suitable for use during pregnancy, or for people who have severely impaired immunity. This is because the vaccine uses a live attenuated virus (a weakened form of the virus that causes chickenpox). Healthy people do not become ill from the vaccination, but do develop stronger immunity. However, it could cause illness during pregnancy and for people with an immune disorder.

How effective is the chickenpox vaccine?

The chickenpox vaccine is very effective. To ensure the best protection, you or your child will have two vaccine doses. You or your child will get the second dose several weeks or months after the first. The interval between these two doses depends on the type of vaccine and the child’s age. There is a minor risk that a person who has been vaccinated against chickenpox could still get chickenpox. However, the risk of serious illness is much lower than if the person had not been vaccinated.

How well it works is called vaccine effectiveness. That is measured by comparing people who have and have not been vaccinated. A vaccine is never 100% effective. This is because there are always people who do not respond to a vaccination at all, or not strongly enough.

When people receive one dose of a chickenpox vaccine, it achieves 81% vaccine effectiveness. Among the group of vaccinated people, 81% fewer people get chickenpox compared to people who are not vaccinated. Two doses of the vaccine raise effectiveness to 92%.

People who have had two vaccinations are still well protected after 14 years. Research shows that vaccine effectiveness is still 90% after that much time has passed. It is not yet clear whether a repeat vaccination would be needed after those 14 years.

What are possible side effects of vaccination against chickenpox?

The vaccinations against chickenpox are safe. They may cause mild side effects. This is normal and can be expected after all vaccinations. Examples include redness, pain and swelling at the injection site. Other than that, the most common side effects are:

• fever
• irritability on the day after vaccination (in small children)
• skin rash

Every once in a while, there may be skin abnormalities that look a bit like chickenpox. In rare cases, these skin abnormalities could transmit the virus to unvaccinated people who have never had chickenpox. This is especially dangerous for people who could become very ill form chickenpox. This includes pregnant people and people with an immune disorder. For that reason, it is advisable to stay away from these people for the first 6 weeks after vaccination.

For a complete overview of the side effects, see the vaccine package leaflet. Or visit the website of the Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb.

Is vaccination against chickenpox covered by insurance?

Vaccination against chickenpox is only covered for people who are in medical risk groups. You will need a doctor’s letter to confirm this.  If you or your child would like to be vaccinated against chickenpox for other reasons, you will need to pay for it yourself.

Where can I get a vaccination against chickenpox?

If you would like you or your child to be vaccinated against chickenpox, first check with your GP to make sure it is necessary and possible at this time. You will get the chickenpox vaccination from your GP or doctor, the Municipal Public Health Service (GGD) or a vaccination centre.