Chicken pox (varicella) and shingles (herpes zoster) represent frequent diseases the clinical picture and principles of therapy of which are generally well known. On the other hand much less is known about the possibilities of their prevention via active or passive vaccination among GPs. In this context, in their review the authors consider it useful to think more deeply about this issue. Advantages and disadvantages of respective strategies of immunization, including possible risks are discussed.A possible shift in occurrence of varicella into older age groups (and therefore a higher proportion of more severe cases) and possible increase in incidence of shingles can be considered among the most important risks of introduction of mass vaccination against varicella. The authors present recommendations for the use of hyperimmune globulin for the prevention of varicella, as well.

        Key words: varicella - herpes zoster - vaccination - VZIG.