- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Vaccine Recommendations
Can we accept receipt of a single documented dose of live zoster vaccine as proof of varicella immunity in a healthcare employee who has no other evidence of immunity?
No. Receipt of one dose of live zoster vaccine is not proof of varicella immunity. According to CDC, acceptable evidence of varicella immunity in healthcare personnel includes (1) documentation of 2 doses of varicella vaccine given at least 28 days apart, (2) history of varicella or herpes zoster based on clinician diagnosis, (3) laboratory evidence of immunity, or (4) laboratory confirmation of disease. If a healthcare employee has received a dose of live zoster vaccine in the past but has no other evidence of immunity to varicella, the live zoster dose can be considered the first dose of the 2-dose varicella series. Note that recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV, Shingrix) cannot be counted as the first dose in a 2-dose varicella vaccination series because Shingrix is not licensed and has not been evaluated for the prevention of primary varicella infection (chickenpox).