| Summary: | Background: Varicella infection in children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Immunisation against varicella infection is not mandatory as per the national immunisation program in India and therefore the majority of children with ALL are unimmunised and are at an increased risk of infection. Methods: The present study retrospectively analysed the case records of patients with ALL diagnosed between January 2013 and May 2017 and received the varicella vaccine. Patients with ALL who had no previous history of varicella infection or immunisation and were in remission were given a single dose of live attenuated varicella vaccine prior to the start of the maintenance phase of treatment. Results: The study included 125 patients with a median age of 6 years and 57% patients were males. Fifty-two patients (41%) developed vaccine-induced varicella. The median time to develop vaccine-induced varicella was 21 days (range: 10–35 days). The median duration of fever was 2 days (range; 1–8) and 5 patients developed febrile neutropenia. Maintenance chemotherapy was withheld in symptomatic patients for a median duration of 7 days (range: 3–15 days). Breakthrough varicella infection after vaccination was seen in 2 patients. There was no mortality due to vaccine-induced varicella. Conclusion: Varicella immunisation is safe and efficacious in children with ALL and should be considered in countries where varicella immunisation is not routinely practiced. Vaccine-induced varicella is commonly seen; however, it is self-limiting. Keywords: Varicella, ALL, Immunisation
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