Abstract: ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics and trends of varicella in Yunfu City, so as to provide scientific basis for the development of the prevention and control measures.MethodsDescriptive epidemiological method was adopted to analyze the incidence data of varicella in Yunfu during 2012-2014.ResultsA total of 1 169 varicella cases were reported during this period and the average annual incidence was 16.25/100 000. The incidence peaks were observed during May-August and November-January, accounted for 32.76% (383/1 169) and 42.60% (498/1 169) of total cases, respectively. The top three areas with the most reported cases were Yuncheng District (451 cases), Yun'an District (297 cases), and Yu'nan County (292 cases). The cases were mainly the children aged below 15 years, accounted for 89.14% of the total cases (1 042/1 169). Of all the cases, 698 were male and 471 were female, with a male to female ratio of 1.48∶1. The occupational distributions of varicella cases were mainly the schoolchildren (38.32% of the total cases), followed by the scattered children (33.02%) and the children in child care settings (21.47%). The average varicella vaccine coverage was 1.44% in Yunfu City during 2012-2014. Vaccination coverage was highest for Yu'nan County (1.93%). Differences in vaccination coverage rates were statistically significant between different areas (P<0.01).ConclusionThe incidence of varicella presented a rising trend and double peaks in spring-summer and winter in Yunfu City during 2012-2014, and the varicella vaccination coverage rates varied in different areas. The varicella vaccination should be strengthened among the young children to control the incidence of varicella in the future.