Skip Global navigation and goto content

It's a New Day in Public Health.

The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

Skip MegaMenu and goto content
Megamenu requires javascript to be enabled in your browser.
* Enter the following to confirm subscription

Varicella (Chickenpox) in Florida

Florida Health

Disease Control

September Key Points

40 Cases
No new
outbreaks
<1 - 5 year olds had
highest incidence
68% cases not
up-to-date or
unknown vaccinations status


The number of varicella cases reported in September 2024 increased 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 2024 as compared to the previous 5-year average. In September 2024, 40 cases of varicella were reported, which is below the previous 5-year average.


In September 2024, 40 varicella cases were reported in 19 counties, outlined in black in the map. From July 2024 through September 2024 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 September are:  Broward Collier Miami-Dade Escambia Hardee Hillsborough Lake Lee Leon Marion Orange Osceola Pinellas Polk St. Lucie Seminole Sumter Volusia Walton  Counties with a rate of 0.08-0.23 per 100,000 population are:    Lee Hillsborough Miami-Dade Leon Polk Pasco Charlotte Pinellas Palm Beach Orange Broward Escambia Martin Volusia  Counties with a rate of 0.24-0.66 per 100,000 population are:   Lake Osceola Okaloosa St. Lucie Marion Seminole Collier  Counties with a rate of 0.67-1.94 per 100,000 population are:   Sumter Hardee Walton


In 2024, 570 varicella cases were reported. The annual number of reported varicella cases increased from 2018 to 2019 and decreased significantly in 2020, 2021 and 2022. 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: 853 in 2018; 983 in 2019; 348 in 2020; 365 in 2021, 428 in 2022, 653 in 2023, and 570 in 2024.


In September 2024, the varicella rate was highest among <1 - 5 year olds at 1.02 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 September, 14 cases were household-associated and 2 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 September, 1 case reported having contact with someone diagnosed with shingles during their exposure period.

In September 2024, 68% 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 September 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, 121 cases in 2024 would not have been vaccinated under the current childhood immunization recommendations.

In 2024, 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 September 2024 and the previous 3-month average. In September 2024, 14 household-associated cases and 2 outbreak-associated cases were identified out of a total of 40 cases.


*Note: This page contains materials in the Portable Document Format (PDF). The free Acrobat Reader may be required to view these files.