Chickenpox Vaccine Not Recommended for Some People

Chickenpox vaccine is not recommended for certain people, including:

• Women who are pregnant. Also, women need to wait 1 month after getting the chickenpox vaccine before they become pregnant.
• Some people with impaired immune systems.
• People who are taking high doses of corticosteroids by mouth. People who are taking low doses of corticosteroids or who are taking these medicines by inhalation (such as people with asthma) may be able to get the chickenpox vaccine.
• People with serious long-term illnesses, such as children with leukemia.
• People who are allergic to the antibiotic neomycin. The chickenpox vaccine contains a small amount of neomycin.
• People who have recently received immunoglobulin (IG), blood, or plasma. Wait 3 to 11 months after receiving IG, blood, or plasma before you get the chickenpox vaccine.