Important: VAERS reports alone cannot determine if a vaccine caused an adverse event. Reports may contain incomplete, inaccurate, or unverified information. Correlation does not equal causation.
4,159 adverse event reports (-2% vs 2015)
In 2016, 4,159 adverse event reports were filed for Varicella (Varivax) in VAERS. This represents 4.5% of all 93,126 reports for this vaccine.
Of these reports, 5 mentioned death, 83 involved hospitalization, 680 required ER visits, and 33 reported disability.
Compared to the average of 2,885 reports per year for this vaccine, 2016 was above average (+44%).
In 2016, reporting for Varicella (Varivax) was within typical ranges. As always, VAERS data reflects reports filed, not confirmed adverse events. Trends should be interpreted alongside vaccination volume and population health data.
| Year | Reports | Deaths | Hosp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,318 | 3 | 45 |
| 2024 | 1,657 | 9 | 33 |
| 2023 | 1,804 | 1 | 24 |
| 2022 | 1,791 | 2 | 21 |
| 2021 | 1,765 | 4 | 33 |
| 2020 | 1,740 | 3 | 48 |
| 2019 | 2,388 | 5 | 79 |
| 2018 | 2,729 | 3 | 56 |
| 2017 | 3,761 | 3 | 71 |
| 2016 ← current | 4,159 | 5 | 83 |
| 2015 | 4,237 | 11 | 83 |
| 2014 | 3,566 | 5 | 85 |
| 2013 | 2,810 | 5 | 80 |
| 2012 | 3,085 | 12 | 115 |
| 2011 | 3,582 | 15 | 144 |
| 2010 | 4,089 | 6 | 158 |
| 2009 | 4,780 | 21 | 171 |
| 2008 | 6,066 | 8 | 171 |
| 2007 | 4,766 | 11 | 160 |
| 2006 | 3,230 | 11 | 102 |
| 2005 | 2,818 | 12 | 113 |
| 2004 | 2,790 | 7 | 98 |
| 2003 | 1,964 | 5 | 110 |
| 2002 | 2,713 | 2 | 113 |
| 2001 | 2,841 | 13 | 148 |
| 2000 | 2,990 | 3 | 124 |
| 1999 | 2,801 | 14 | 107 |
| 1998 | 2,001 | 14 | 116 |
| 1997 | 2,518 | 6 | 68 |
| 1996 | 1,992 | 3 | 77 |
| 1995 | 689 | 1 | 38 |
This data comes from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), jointly managed by CDC and FDA.