What should healthcare providers do to ensure pregnant women are protected from varicella?
ACIP recommends prenatal assessment of women for evidence of varicella immunity. For pregnant women, evidence of immunity includes any of the following: • Documentation of two doses of varicella vaccine; • Blood tests showing immunity to varicella or laboratory confirmation of prior disease; or • Receipt from a healthcare provider of a) a diagnosis of chickenpox or herpes zoster (shingles) or b) verification of a history of chickenpox or herpes zoster (shingles). Because of the potential severe consequences of varicella infection during pregnancy, birth before 1980 is not considered evidence of immunity for pregnant women. Healthcare settings serving pregnant women should use standing orders to ensure the administration of varicella vaccine to women without evidence of immunity upon completion or termination of their pregnancies. As soon as the pregnant woman delivers her baby, she should be vaccinated against varicella. The first dose of vaccine can be given before she is discharged f
