Epidemiological Data

Surveillance of women inadvertently vaccinated with varicella vaccine in pregnancy

Varicella vaccine is contraindicated in pregnancy and should be avoided for 3 months following vaccination. Although surveillance of cases of inadvertent varicella vaccination in pregnancy in the USA has not identified any specific risks to the fetus, it is important to continue to record and document the outcome of such cases.

In recognition of the wider use of the varicella vaccine following the Chief Medical Officer Health Care Worker recommendations, the Immunisation Department within the Health Protection Agency’s Centre for Infections, has established surveillance of cases of inadvertent varicella vaccination in pregnancy and requests that clinicians report any such cases to them (tel: 0208-327-7680).

See the Vaccine in Pregnancy surveillance pages for more information.