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Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division
651-201-5414
Varicella Information for Health Professionals
On this page:
Reporting
Laboratory testing
Clinical features and epidemiology
Varicella in healthcare settings
Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
Vaccine information
ACIP Recommendations and MMWR reports
Reporting
- Reporting Varicella (Chickenpox)
Find out who should report varicella to the Minnesota Department of Health, which forms to use, and when to call. - Why You Report All Cases of Varicella
Information for clinicians on case-based reporting for varicella. All cases of varicella are required to be reported to MDH.
Laboratory testing
- Laboratory Testing for Varicella (Chickenpox) and Zoster (Shingles)
Information on when and how to test for varicella or zoster disease.
Clinical features and epidemiology
- CDC: Clinical Overview of Chickenpox (Varicella)
CDC information about chickenpox for healthcare professionals. - CDC: Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
CDC's Pink Book. - CDC: Photos of Chickenpox
CDC photographs of people with varicella. Warning: Graphic medical images.
Varicella in healthcare settings
- Managing Varicella Exposures in Healthcare Settings
Quick reference for managing exposures to varicella in healthcare settings. - Ensuring Immunity to Varicella in Healthcare Workers
Information for making sure healthcare workers are immune to varicella.
Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
Vaccine information
Varicella Vaccine Product Information and VIS
| Generic name | Manufacturer | Prescribing information | VIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (MMRV) | Merck | Merck: ProQuad (PDF) | CDC: MMRV Vaccine VIS |
| Varicella (Var) | Merck | Merck: Varivax (PDF) | CDC: Varicella Vaccine VIS |
- Immunize.org: Ask the Experts: Varicella Vaccine
Experts from the CDC answer challenging questions about vaccines and their administration. - Immunization
Immunization information and resources for families, schools and childcare, and healthcare providers. Healthcare provider information includes immunization best practices, immunization rates and access to the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC).
ACIP Recommendations and MMWR reports
- CDC: ACIP Recommendations Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine
CDC listing of recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). - CDC: Chickenpox (Varicella) References and Resources
CDC compilation of chapters, guidelines, recommendations, and journal articles related to varicella.
Last Updated: 05/07/2026