Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of varicella public health emergencies happened in schools and childcare facilities of Henan province from 2008 to 2012. Method Descriptive epidemiology method was used to analyze the data of varicella public health emergencies happened in schools and childcare facilities from Chinese Information System for Disease Control and Prevention during 2008 and 2012. Results A total of 45 varicella public health emergencies and 874 cases were reported in schools and childcare facilities in Henan province from 2008 to 2012, the average attack rate was 4.33%.A large number of varicella patients were sick between April to June (441 cases, 50.46%) and October to January (271 cases, 31.01%).The incidence of varicella public health emergencies (491 case, 55.56%) in rural primary school was the highest in different types of schools (χ²=349.724, P=0.000). Conclusions Schools and childcare facilities, especially rural primary schools, are the places where varicella public health emergency usually happen.The end of spring and autumn to early winter are the critical moments to prevent and control the epidemic of varicella among primary school students and childcare facilities.