varicella is the virus that causes chickenpox. while the disease is usually self-limited it can cause death and permanent injury. the groups at greatest risk are infants people over 15 years of age and immunocompromised people. the vaccine came out in the mid-1990s and unfortunately does not offer complete protection but even those who get the disease after vaccination have a milder form of the condition. prior to use of the vaccine hundreds of children died every year from chickenpox. it is recommended that all adolescents and adults without documented evidence of chickenpox or previous vaccination receive the two-dose series.
what is the varicella vaccine and who should receive it?