OBJECTIVES: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the causative agent of varicella (chicken pox) as primary infection and zoster as a secondary infection due to reactivation of VZVChickenpox is a common infection of childhood. Varicella vaccination is important for preventing cross- infection between the patients with a co-morbidity and healthy population. Every 12-month-old infant has been started to be vaccinated with varicella vaccine since February 2013 in Turkey.This research aims to report the cost and the complications of varicella infection during the pre-vaccine and post-vaccine era in our children hospital. METHODS:  The hospital records of 47 patients children hospitalized for varicella and its complications between January 2012-July 2015 were reviewed. We analyzed the types of complications, the clinical progression,and the total hospital costs of varicella infection with previously healthy and with co-morbibity during pre-vaccine and post-vaccine period. RESULTS:  The median age of patients were 6 (mim-max: 0,75-17) years old.Male/female:1,1.Of the 47 patients admitted to our hospital 16 (34%) had been previously healthy, 31 (%66) had previous chronic disease and/or immunosuppression.The median duration of IV acyclovir treatment was 7 ( mim –max: 0-18) days. Cutaneous complications (34%) was the most common, followed by respiratory (19%) and neurological(12,8%) complications.The 63% of patients were unvaccinated for chickenpox. The median cost of hospitalization per patient previously healthy and with a co-morbidity were $295,25, $544,2 (p:0.026) and the median cost of hospitalization before and after February 2013 were $294,8 and $554,2 (p:0,052)respectively. CONCLUSIONS:  Varicella infection can be severe for the patients with previous chronic disease and/or immunosuppression and the costs of hospitalization are higher than previously healthy children. Vaccination is the main option for preventing severe complications and death.Further studies are necessary with larger series of patients to calculate the cost effectivity of varicella vaccine and to compare complications and deaths between pre-vaccine and post-vaccine era in Turkey.