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Varicella (Chickenpox) in Florida

Florida Health

Disease Control

March Key Points

36 Cases
No new
outbreaks
<1 year olds had
highest incidence
53% cases not
up-to-date or
unknown vaccinations status


The number of varicella cases reported in March 2025 decreased from the previous month and was below the previous 5-year average. Due to robust vaccination programs, there is no longer discernable seasonality for varicella cases in the United States.

A graph showing a summary of varicella cases reported by month in 2025 as compared to the previous 5-year average. In March 2025, 36 cases of varicella were reported, which is below the previous 5-year average.


In March 2025, 36 varicella cases were reported in 16 counties, outlined in black in the map. From January 2025 through March 2025 the average county rates varied throughout the state.

A map showing the previous 3-month average varicella rates per 100,000 population. Counties with one or more cases reported in March are: Brevard Broward Miami-Dade Hillsborough Manatee Marion Martin Orange Osceola Pinellas Polk St. Johns St. Lucie Seminole Taylor Volusia Counties with a rate of 0.05-0.22 per 100,000 population are: Miami-Dade Martin Citrus Marion Collier Flagler Orange Okaloosa St. Johns Pasco Nassau Broward Osceola Polk Seminole St. Lucie Counties with a rate of 0.23-1.06 per 100,000 population are: Nassau Wakulla Counties with a rate of 1.07-3.17 per 100,000 population are: Wakulla Taylor Madison Glades


In 2025, 131 varicella cases were reported. The annual number of reported varicella cases gradually increased from 2020 to 2024. Cases reported in 2023 returned to levels similarly observed prior to the 2020 pandemic.
*CDC MMWR report year

A graph showing a summary of the total number of varicella cases reported by year with an emphasis on 2019. In total for each year there have been: 348 in 2020; 365 in 2021, 428 in 2022, 653 in 2023, 705 in 2024, and 131 in 2025.


In March 2025, the varicella rate was highest among <1 year olds at 2.15 cases per 100,000 population. Infants <1 year old are too young to receive varicella vaccination, which is why vaccination of siblings, parents, grandparents, and other age groups is important in infection prevention among infants.




In March, 3 cases were household-associated and 0 cases were outbreak-associated. For most varicella cases, exposure to other known cases is not identied. In Florida, transmission setting is not routinely identied for non-outbreak cases.

People with shingles infection can transmit the virus that causes varicella to people without immunity. In March, 6 cases reported having contact with someone diagnosed with shingles during their exposure period.

In March 2025, 53% of cases reported with varicella had not received the recommended number of varicella vaccinations for their age or had unknown vaccination status. Vaccination against varicella is important for infants, children, teenagers, and adults. If a person was born before July 1, 1994, the current varicella immunization recommendation would not have been implemented when they were receiving their childhood immunizations. Based on the case’s age, 36 cases in 2025 would not have been vaccinated under the current childhood immunization recommendations.

In 2025, the majority of adults aged 19 years and older with varicella were not up-to-date on their varicella vaccinations or had unknown vaccination status. Although individuals who have been vaccinated can still develop varicella, complete and timely vaccination remains the best way to prevent varicella and severe complications.

A graph showing a bar graph of total cases compared to household associated cases and outbreak associated cases for March 2025 and the previous 3-month average. In March 2025, 3 household-associated cases and no outbreak-associated cases were identified out of a total of 36 cases.


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