A total of 552 persons working in the university hospital of Freiburg, Germany (nurses, pediatric nurses, administration--and technical personnel) was screened for antibodies to varicella zoster virus. Prevalence of antibodies to VZV among men was higher than among women. While the degree of immunity of nurses and administration/technical personnel was comparable, pediatric nurses had a significantly higher seroprevalence (< 20 years 89.3%, -30 years 95.7%, > 30 years 98.6%). Therefore, pediatric nurses should be screened and susceptible persons should be vaccinated.