Home / Ask The Experts / A pediatric surgeon’s 12-month-old child received the varicella vaccine and two weeks later developed a varicella-like rash. The surgeon had chickenpox as a child and had a positive varicella titer several years ago. Is it okay for the surgeon to continue to see patients? Also, is the varicella virus in the rash that develops following vaccination as virulent as the wild-type virus?

Varicella (Chickenpox)
Contraindications & Precautions

A pediatric surgeon’s 12-month-old child received the varicella vaccine and two weeks later developed a varicella-like rash. The surgeon had chickenpox as a child and had a positive varicella titer several years ago. Is it okay for the surgeon to continue to see patients? Also, is the varicella virus in the rash that develops following vaccination as virulent as the wild-type virus?

Because the surgeon is immune, the child’s rash is not a problem and there is no need for the surgeon to restrict activity. In comparing a vaccine rash to wild-type chickenpox infection, transmission is less likely with a vaccine rash and, in general, there are fewer skin lesions.

Last reviewed: May 16, 2023

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This page was updated on July 21, 2022.