Chickenpox (Varicella) Vaccine Cost in the Philippines [2026 Price Guide]

Quick Answer: The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine costs ₱2,000-₱3,500 per dose in the Philippines in 2026, so the recommended 2-dose series runs ₱4,000-₱7,000 total, plus a consultation or injection fee of ₱200-₱800. The two brands available are Varivax (Merck) and Varilrix (GSK). Children get the first dose at 12-15 months and the second at 4-6 years; teens and adults who never had chickenpox need 2 doses given 4-8 weeks apart. Varicella is not part of the free DOH EPI program, so it is almost always paid out of pocket at private clinics, pediatricians, hospitals, and pharmacy vaccination services like Mercury Drug and Watsons. A measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) combination shot exists but is priced higher than a standalone dose.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Chickenpox Vaccine Price at a Glance
• Why You Pay Out of Pocket
• The Two Brands: Varivax vs Varilrix
• Dosing Schedule and How Many Doses You Need
• Adults and Catch-Up Doses
• MMRV: The Combination Option
• Where to Get the Vaccine
• Additional Costs to Expect
• PhilHealth and HMO Coverage
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Introduction

Chickenpox (varicella) is a highly contagious viral infection that causes an itchy, blistering rash, fever, and tiredness. In most healthy children it is mild, but it can lead to serious complications — skin infections, pneumonia, encephalitis, and, decades later, shingles. The varicella vaccine prevents the disease in the great majority of those who receive the full 2-dose series, and it dramatically reduces severity in the rare breakthrough cases.

In the Philippines, the chickenpox vaccine sits in a specific category: it is medically recommended for every child by the Philippine Pediatric Society and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP), but it is not included in the free Department of Health Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). That combination — strongly recommended, but not free — is exactly why parents and adults end up paying for it themselves and want to know the price before they go.

This guide covers the 2026 cost of the chickenpox vaccine per dose and for the full series, the difference between the Varivax and Varilrix brands, the schedule for children and the catch-up schedule for teens and adults, the MMRV combination option, and where to get vaccinated affordably. Prices below are presented as ranges drawn from current Philippine pharmacy, clinic, and hospital pricing — actual cost varies by facility and city.

Chickenpox Vaccine Price at a Glance

The single most useful number is the per-dose price, because that is what you pay each visit. The varicella vaccine requires 2 doses, so budget for double the per-dose figure plus any consultation or injection fees.

Prices cluster around ₱2,500-₱3,300 per dose at most pharmacy vaccination counters and pediatric clinics, with the lower end at high-volume vaccination services and the upper end at premium hospital clinics. Always confirm the current price by phone, since vaccine pricing moves with supply and brand availability.

Why You Pay Out of Pocket

The free DOH EPI covers the vaccines the government considers the highest public-health priority: BCG, Hepatitis B, Pentavalent (DTwP-HepB-Hib), OPV/IPV, PCV13, MMR/MR, Japanese Encephalitis, HPV for Grade 4 girls, and Td boosters. Varicella is not on that list, which means Rural Health Units and Barangay Health Stations do not stock it for free.

Instead, varicella lives on the PIDSP/PPS recommended schedule — the private-sector recommendation that goes beyond EPI. Families who want their child protected against chickenpox get it at a private pediatrician, a hospital vaccination clinic, or a pharmacy immunization service, and pay the market price. The same applies to teens and adults catching up.

This is the normal pattern for several recommended-but-not-free Philippine childhood vaccines, including Rotavirus, Hepatitis A, and the annual flu shot. For the full picture of which shots are free and which are paid, see our pediatric vaccination schedule guide for the Philippines.

The Two Brands: Varivax vs Varilrix

Two varicella vaccine brands are registered and widely used in the Philippines:

• Varivax — manufactured by Merck (MSD). A live attenuated varicella vaccine.
• Varilrix — manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Also a live attenuated varicella vaccine.

Both are WHO-prequalified, both are given as a 0.5 mL subcutaneous injection, and both follow the same 2-dose schedule. For practical purposes they are interchangeable — clinics generally stock whichever they can source, and the price difference between them is small and driven more by the facility than by the brand. If your child started with one brand, the second dose can be the other brand without any problem.

Both are prescription (Rx) vaccines, so pharmacies sell them for administration at a clinic rather than for self-injection at home. The vaccine must be stored cold (cold chain), which is another reason it is given at a facility rather than bought off the shelf.

Dosing Schedule and How Many Doses You Need

The varicella vaccine is a 2-dose series for everyone — children, teens, and adults. Two doses provide roughly 90%+ protection against any chickenpox and near-complete protection against moderate-to-severe disease. A single dose leaves a meaningful gap, so the second dose is not optional.

Children (routine schedule):

The first dose at 12-15 months lines up with the MMR dose, so many pediatricians schedule them at the same visit (or use the MMRV combination — see below). The second dose at 4-6 years coincides with the pre-school/kindergarten boosters.

Catch-up (older children, teens, adults): If the two doses were not given on the childhood schedule, they can be completed at any age. For anyone 13 years and older, the two doses are spaced 4-8 weeks apart rather than years apart.

At ₱2,000-₱3,500 per dose, the full 2-dose course costs ₱4,000-₱7,000 in vaccine alone, before consultation and injection fees.

Adults and Catch-Up Doses

Many Filipino adults assume they are immune because chickenpox is common in childhood — but plenty never caught it, and immunity from a very mild childhood case is not guaranteed. Adults who never had chickenpox and were never vaccinated are candidates for the 2-dose series, especially:

• Healthcare workers and those in close-contact settings (childcare, schools).
• Women planning pregnancy (the vaccine is live, so it must be given before pregnancy, not during).
• Adults living with young children or immunocompromised family members.
• Travelers and anyone seeking pre-employment medical clearance that requires it.

Chickenpox tends to be more severe in adults than in children, with higher rates of pneumonia and hospitalization, which is the main reason catch-up vaccination is worthwhile. Adults pay the same per-dose price (₱2,000-₱3,500), with the two doses 4-8 weeks apart. If you are unsure whether you are already immune, a varicella IgG antibody blood test can confirm immunity and save you the cost of vaccinating unnecessarily — see our blood test cost guide for antibody-test pricing.

MMRV: The Combination Option

MMRV combines measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella into a single injection (brand names ProQuad and Priorix-Tetra). The appeal is fewer needles — one shot instead of separate MMR and varicella jabs — which is convenient for the 12-15 month and 4-6 year visits.

In the Philippines, MMRV availability is limited and supply-dependent, and when stocked it is priced higher than a standalone varicella dose (roughly ₱3,500-₱5,000+ per dose), since it replaces two vaccines. A common alternative most pediatricians use is MMR + varicella given as two separate shots at the same visit — this achieves the same coverage, is usually easier to source, and lets you price each component. Note that for the first dose in children under 4, separate MMR and varicella shots are often preferred over MMRV because the combination carries a slightly higher chance of febrile seizures at that age; MMRV is more commonly used for the second dose. Ask your pediatrician which approach they recommend.

Where to Get the Vaccine

Because varicella is a private-pay, cold-chain, prescription vaccine, you get it at a facility that administers it rather than buying it to take home. Common options:

• Private pediatricians — most stock common childhood vaccines including varicella; best for the routine 12-15 month and 4-6 year doses.
• Hospital vaccination clinics / wellness centers — hospitals and clinic chains run adult and pediatric immunization services.
• Pharmacy vaccination services — Mercury Drug, Watsons, and Southstar Drug branches with vaccination hubs administer Rx vaccines like Varilrix and Varivax on site.
• Travel and wellness clinics — handle adult catch-up doses and pre-travel immunization.

Prices vary by facility, so it is worth comparing. To find a clinic or vaccination service near you, search for clinics on ClinicFinderPH and filter by location.

Additional Costs to Expect

The per-dose price is rarely the only line on your receipt. Budget for:

• Consultation fee: ₱300-₱800 if a pediatrician or physician must assess the patient before the first dose (often waived for a straightforward repeat dose).
• Injection/administration fee: ₱200-₱500 at facilities that price the dose and the shot separately.
• Antibody test (optional, adults): a varicella IgG test (₱600-₱1,500) to confirm whether you are already immune before paying for vaccine.
• Second-dose visit: remember the series is two doses — the full out-of-pocket cost is roughly ₱4,500-₱8,000 including fees, not the single-dose price.
• Travel surcharge / home service: some providers offer at-home vaccination for an added fee.

PhilHealth and HMO Coverage

PhilHealth does not reimburse routine outpatient vaccines like varicella in 2026 — there is no standalone benefit that pays for a chickenpox shot given for prevention. PhilHealth coverage kicks in for treatment of complications during a hospital admission, not for the preventive vaccine itself.

HMO coverage is the better bet. Many corporate HMO plans include vaccines either as a wellness benefit or via a reimbursement arrangement, though varicella is sometimes excluded or capped. Check your HMO's vaccine benefit, the list of accredited clinics, and whether you need a letter of authorization (LOA) before booking. For how public coverage works more broadly, see our PhilHealth benefits and coverage guide.

For a side-by-side view of what every common shot costs, our full vaccine cost guide for the Philippines compares chickenpox against flu, pneumonia, HPV, and the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the chickenpox vaccine cost in the Philippines?

The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine costs ₱2,000-₱3,500 per dose in the Philippines in 2026, with most clinics and pharmacy vaccination services charging around ₱2,500-₱3,300. Because the recommended course is two doses, the full series costs ₱4,000-₱7,000 in vaccine alone, plus a consultation fee (₱300-₱800) and sometimes a separate injection fee (₱200-₱500). The brands available are Varivax (Merck) and Varilrix (GSK), which are equivalent and similarly priced.

How many doses of the chickenpox vaccine do I need?

Everyone needs 2 doses for full protection. Children get the first dose at 12-15 months and the second at 4-6 years. Anyone aged 13 and older getting a catch-up — including teens and adults who never had chickenpox — gets the two doses 4-8 weeks apart. A single dose gives only partial protection, so the second dose is necessary, not optional. Two doses provide about 90%+ protection against chickenpox and near-complete protection against severe disease.

Is the chickenpox vaccine free at health centers in the Philippines?

No. Varicella is not part of the free DOH Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), so Rural Health Units and Barangay Health Stations do not provide it for free. It is a private-pay vaccine on the PIDSP/PPS recommended schedule, obtained at private pediatricians, hospital vaccination clinics, and pharmacy immunization services for ₱2,000-₱3,500 per dose. The free EPI covers other childhood vaccines like BCG, Pentavalent, PCV13, and MMR, but not chickenpox.

Can adults get the chickenpox vaccine in the Philippines?

Yes. Adults who never had chickenpox and were never vaccinated should get the 2-dose series, spaced 4-8 weeks apart, at the same ₱2,000-₱3,500 per dose. It is especially recommended for healthcare workers, women planning pregnancy (given before, never during pregnancy), and adults living with young children. Chickenpox is more severe in adults than in children, so catch-up vaccination is worthwhile. A varicella IgG blood test can confirm whether you are already immune before you pay for the vaccine.

What is the difference between Varivax and Varilrix?

Varivax (made by Merck) and Varilrix (made by GSK) are both live attenuated varicella vaccines given as a 0.5 mL injection on the same 2-dose schedule. They are interchangeable — you can start with one brand and finish with the other — and the price difference between them is small and driven mostly by the facility, not the brand. Clinics typically stock whichever they can source. Both are WHO-prequalified and DOH-registered prescription vaccines requiring cold-chain storage.

Is the MMRV combination vaccine better than separate shots?

MMRV combines measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella into one injection (ProQuad, Priorix-Tetra), which means fewer needles. In the Philippines its availability is limited and it costs more than a standalone varicella dose (around ₱3,500-₱5,000+). Many pediatricians instead give separate MMR and varicella shots at the same visit, which achieves the same coverage and is usually easier to source. For a child's first dose under age 4, separate shots are often preferred because MMRV carries a slightly higher chance of febrile seizures at that age.

Does PhilHealth or HMO cover the chickenpox vaccine?

PhilHealth does not reimburse the varicella vaccine as a preventive outpatient service in 2026 — it only covers treatment of complications during a covered hospital admission. Some corporate HMO plans include vaccines as a wellness or reimbursement benefit, though chickenpox is sometimes excluded or capped, so check your plan's vaccine benefit, accredited clinics, and whether an LOA is required before booking.

How long does chickenpox vaccine protection last?

Two doses of the varicella vaccine provide long-lasting protection — studies show high immunity persisting for many years, and the 2-dose schedule was adopted specifically to reduce breakthrough cases seen with a single dose. The great majority of fully vaccinated people never get chickenpox; the small number who do get a much milder illness with fewer blisters and quicker recovery. No routine adult booster is currently recommended after the standard 2-dose childhood or catch-up series.

Conclusion

The chickenpox vaccine is a clear case of recommended-but-not-free in the Philippines: every child should get it per PIDSP/PPS, but because it sits outside the free DOH EPI, families pay ₱2,000-₱3,500 per dose — roughly ₱4,000-₱7,000 for the full 2-dose series, plus consultation and injection fees. Children follow the 12-15 month and 4-6 year schedule; teens and adults catching up get two doses 4-8 weeks apart. Varivax and Varilrix are equivalent, and the MMRV combination is a costlier convenience option where it is available.

For the wider context on childhood immunization and other shot prices, read our related guides:

• Vaccine cost in the Philippines: full price guide
• Pediatric vaccination schedule for the Philippines
• HPV vaccine cost in the Philippines
• PhilHealth benefits and coverage guide

Ready to get vaccinated? Find a clinic or vaccination service on ClinicFinderPH to compare locations and book your chickenpox shot near you.